Las Cruces, New Mexico: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a peddler's permit from the city clerk, and a city business license on top of it. It is unlawful to engage in business as a peddler within the city without first getting a permit (21-31). "Peddler" and "itinerant merchant" are interchangeable terms and cover every person who sells, offers to sell, displays for sale, solicits or takes orders for any merchandise or service (21-1), so a fiber or solar rep taking orders at the door is inside the chapter.
• Where it comes from: The city clerk takes a sworn application in duplicate on the clerk's form (21-32). The original goes to the chief of police, who investigates and, if the applicant clears, executes the permit and sends it back to the clerk; the clerk delivers it once the fee is paid (21-39, 21-40).
• Fee: Two charges. The business license every itinerant salesman must hold is $50.00 for three months, or any portion of three months (21-2). On top of that, a $5.00 investigation fee is paid to the city clerk when the permit application is filed (21-34). A rep's first three months is therefore $50.00 + $5.00. Non-residents also post a bond — see what takes the time.
• Hours you may knock: Peddling is unlawful between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. the following morning, except by specific appointment with or invitation from the prospective customer (21-3(d)). The section names no days off.
• What the rep carries: The permit, displayed on the request of any person — failing to display it is a petty misdemeanor (21-46). The permit carries the city clerk's signature and seal, the permittee's name, address and photograph, the class of permit and kind of goods, the fee paid, the issue date and term, and the description of any vehicle used (21-43).
• What takes the time: Fingerprinting by the chief of police at the time of application (21-35), a two-inch by two-inch head-and-shoulders photograph taken within 60 days of filing (21-32(7)), a felony statement, and the last five municipalities the applicant worked as a peddler (21-32(8), (10)). The police investigation of business and moral character runs up to two weeks; if it is not finished in that time the applicant's character is deemed approved (21-39). An applicant who is not a city resident, or who is a resident representing a firm whose principal place of business is outside New Mexico, files a $1,000.00 surety bond approved by the city risk manager — a corporation may file one $1,000.00 bond covering all of its agents, employees, canvassers or solicitors (21-37). Every applicant also signs an instrument appointing the city clerk as agent for service of process (21-38).
• Code: Las Cruces Municipal Code Chapter 21, Peddlers and Itinerant Merchants (21-1 to 21-47), with business licenses generally at 16-96 et seq. Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 3104, adopted December 15, 2025 (Supp. No. 33).
• Worth knowing: It is unlawful to enter private premises posted "no peddlers allowed" or "no solicitations allowed" or words to that effect, and refusing to leave after the owner or occupant says to leave is a petty misdemeanor (21-3(b), (c)). A permit may not run longer than 12 months (21-45). The chapter's definition excludes employees of merchandising or service businesses operating from fixed locations that have paid for and obtained a city business license or occupational permit, acting in the scope of their employment (21-1(7), (8)) — worth settling with the clerk if the company has an office in town. Political canvassers, petition circulators and church, educational and charitable bodies are excluded as well (21-1(1)—(3)).
• Read it yourself: Las Cruces Municipal Code Chapter 21 — Peddlers and Itinerant Merchants · Las Cruces Code of Ordinances, title page · checked 20 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether reps employed by a company with a fixed business location in the city fall under the 21-1(7) and (8) exclusion
• Whether the $50.00 business license is bought once per company or once per rep
• How long fingerprinting at the police department and the character investigation actually take

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________