Fayetteville, Arkansas: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — two permits. The company (the "principal") needs a principal permit before anyone knocks, and each rep needs his own peddler/solicitor permit from the Planning Department (116.02(C), (D)). A solicitor is anyone going uninvited to the door of a private residence to take orders for services or goods (116.02(A)(4)). The company must also hold a city business license under Chapter 118 (116.02(C)).
• Where it comes from: The principal permit is paid to the city's business office on a written, signed application listing every person who will solicit; the rep permits come from the Planning Department (116.02(C), (D)).
• Fee: $77.00 for the principal (company) permit, plus $12.00 for each peddler/solicitor permit, one per rep (116.02(C), (D)). The Chapter 118 business license fee is separate and was not read.
• Hours you may knock: No knocking, ringing or trying to gain admittance between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m — the code's own wording (116.02(E)(3)).
• What the rep carries: A copy of section 116.02 itself, a copy of his permit, and visible photo identification provided by the company (116.02(E)(1)).
• What takes the time: Each rep supplies photo ID, a signed statement under oath, and a statewide criminal background check plus a nationwide crime index/background check including the sex offender registry. Anyone convicted of a felony, or a misdemeanor involving theft, sexual offense or violence, within five years, or in prison during the last five years, is refused (116.02(D)(2)-(4)). Reps without U.S. citizenship add a copy of their visa and a nationwide check (116.02(D)(5)). No processing time is published.
• Code: Fayetteville Code of Ordinances, Title XI, Chapter 116 — Door to Door Solicitation (116.01, 116.02), last amended by Ord. No. 6845, 2-18-25. Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 6986, enacted March 17, 2026.
• Worth knowing: The city hands out free "no soliciting" decals to residents; a posted decal or a "no soliciting," "no peddlers" or "no trespassing" sign bars the knock (116.01, 116.02(B), (E)(2)), and ignoring it can support a criminal trespass charge (116.02(F)). Reps must give their own name and the company's name at the outset, may not claim city endorsement, and must leave when asked (116.02(E)(6)-(8)). Permits expire December 31 of the year issued (116.02(C)).
• Read it yourself: Fayetteville Code, Chapter 116 — Door to Door Solicitation · Fayetteville Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 21 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• The Chapter 118 business license fee for an out-of-town door-to-door company
• Whether the background checks must come from a particular vendor or the Arkansas State Police
• How many days the Planning Department takes to issue rep permits

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________