Gary, Indiana: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — every individual working as a peddler, whether self-employed or employed by others, gets the permits and licenses in Article VII (10-298(a)). A peddler includes anyone traveling place to place soliciting the future sale of goods, wares or services (10-263(a)).
• Where it comes from: The city controller takes the sworn application and issues the license; the chief of police fingerprints and investigates the applicant and approves or disapproves (10-299, 10-300).
• Fee: Peddler or transient merchant license: $120.00 for January 1 through July 31, or $60.00 for August 1 through December 31 (20-1), paid to the controller with the application (10-302). Annual licenses expire December 31 (10-304).
• Hours you may knock: The code sets no general door-to-door hours. Peddlers may not sell or solicit in or around any school between 7:30 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. (10-265(c)).
• What the rep carries: The license is a badge marked "Licensed Peddler" with the rep's photo, attached to the hat or outer garment and kept conspicuous while working (10-303). It may not be worn by anyone else (10-305). Sales receipts proving ownership of goods are shown to police or code enforcement on request (10-267).
• What takes the time: A sworn application with two 2x2 photos taken within 60 days, fingerprints taken by the police department, employer credentials and a statement of any felony convictions, then a police investigation of business and character (10-299, 10-300). No processing time is published.
• Code: Gary Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10 — Businesses, Article VII — Peddlers and Itinerant Vendors (10-263 to 10-306), Ord. No. 5966 (1984); fees in Chapter 20 (20-1). Municode shows the recodification codified through Ord. No. 8307, adopted September 10, 2009, online content updated April 13, 2021.
• Worth knowing: Peddlers may not work in B2 and B3 zoning areas (10-265(b)(2)). The code has no "No Soliciting" sign rule in Article VII. The fee chapter says all fees are subject to change by ordinance (20-3).
• Read it yourself: Gary Code, Chapter 10, Article VII — Peddlers and Itinerant Vendors · Gary Code, Chapter 20 — Fees · Gary Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 23 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether the $120.00 peddler license fee is still current, and whether it is charged per rep
• Whether the city has adopted door-to-door hours or a no-soliciting rule since the 2009 recodification
• How long the police investigation and fingerprinting take

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________