Hampton, Virginia: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes. Anyone who goes house to house or place to place selling or taking orders for goods, merchandise or future services needs a solicitor's permit before working, if payment is demanded, accepted or received in advance of final delivery (31-16, 31-17).
• Where it comes from: Hampton City Code Chapter 31, Article II, issued by the director of public safety (31-36).
• Fee: $20.00 for the permit (31-39). A renewal, for the same 30-day term, costs $4.50 (31-43).
• Hours you may knock: Not published. Chapter 31 sets no clock-time or sunset limit for commercial solicitors.
• What the rep carries: The solicitor's permit, in his possession at all times, and must show it on request to any police officer, purchaser or person being solicited (31-44).
• What takes the time: The applicant is photographed and fingerprinted (31-38), and the director of public safety runs "such investigation as reasonably appears necessary" before issuing (31-40). The permit is good for 30 days only, then must be renewed (31-42).
• Code: Hampton City Code 31-16, 31-17, 31-36 through 31-46 (Chapter 31, Article II, Divisions 1-2).
• Worth knowing: No entry is allowed onto property posted with a sign forbidding solicitors (31-22). Orders must be written up in duplicate, with a copy given to the purchaser (31-20). A permit is denied to anyone convicted of a crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or whose permit was previously revoked (31-40). Article II is titled "Nonresident Commercial Solicitors," but the operative sections apply to any person acting as a solicitor with no residency test given in the definitions read.
• Read it yourself: Hampton City Code Chapter 31, Article II · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Are there set knocking hours in practice even though none are written in Chapter 31? Does the Article II title ("Nonresident Commercial Solicitors") mean residents of Hampton are exempt from the permit? Is a background check beyond fingerprinting and photographing required before the permit is issued? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________