Lake Charles, Louisiana: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a written registration from the city. Going uninvited onto private premises to solicit orders for goods or services without a registration under 12-38 is a misdemeanor (12-37(a)). Registrations are non-transferable and bear the registrant's name, and each registrant gets a photo ID, so it is one per rep (12-38(a)(9), 12-38(c)). Read closely: 12-38 is written around soliciting funds, and its list of prohibited acts includes soliciting orders or taking payment for future delivery of merchandise or services (12-38(e)(8)) — the code does not reconcile that with 12-37.
• Where it comes from: The director of finance, on the director's form (12-38(a)). Local law enforcement requests and reviews the background check (12-38(a)(8)).
• Fee: A registration fee of $100.00 for each registration (12-38(c)), plus a "reasonable fee" for producing the photo ID (12-38(a)(9)) and the cost of the federal background check, paid by the applicant (12-38(a)(8)). Neither of those two amounts is in the code.
• Hours you may knock: No going uninvited to any residence before the hour of 9:00 a.m. or after the hour of 6:00 p.m. (12-38(e)(3)). Front door or main entrance only, and no repeat uninvited visits to the same premises during the registration (12-38(e)(4), (5)).
• What the rep carries: The city photo ID, carried on the person and clearly visible in plain view while working; the registration is not complete until both the registration and the photo ID are issued (12-38(a)(9)).
• What takes the time: File at least three days before starting (12-38(b)). Each person submits to a federal background check requested and reviewed by local law enforcement, and the director may refuse anyone whose check shows a potential threat to public safety (12-38(a)(8)). Changes must be reported in writing within two days or the registration is void (12-38(b)).
• Code: Lake Charles Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12, Article II — Special Provisions (12-37, 12-38). Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 20441, enacted December 17, 2025 (Supp. No. 20).
• Worth knowing: A registration lasts no more than 90 days (12-38(c)). No going to premises posted "No Trespassing" or "No Solicitation" (12-38(e)(11)). Separately, the occupational license article sets a $100.00 license tax for peddlers — defined as sellers who carry the merchandise and deliver it at the time of sale (12-27, 12-7).
• Read it yourself: Lake Charles Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12, Article II — Special Provisions (12-37, 12-38) · Lake Charles Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12, Article I — Occupational License Taxes · Lake Charles Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 22 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether a for-profit company taking orders door to door registers under 12-38, given that 12-38(e)(8) bars soliciting orders for future delivery
• The photo ID fee and the background check cost
• Whether the company also needs an occupational license

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________