Lawrence, Kansas: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a Solicitor's License. No one may act in the city as a peddler, solicitor or transient merchant without one (6-803). A solicitor is anyone going residence to residence taking or attempting to take orders for future delivery, or selling services for immediate or future performance (6-802(e)). The license carries the rep's own photo, name and employer and may be used only by the person it was issued to, so it is per rep (6-807, 6-808).
• Where it comes from: The Lawrence City Clerk, on the Clerk's form. The Clerk sends each application to the Chief of Police for a background check (6-805, 6-806).
• Fee: $250.00 application fee for a Solicitor's License, not pro-rated and not refunded for any reason, including denial or revocation (6-804). The license fee table lists solicitor and peddlers at $250.00 for 1 year, expiring Dec. 31 (6-108.16).
• Hours you may knock: No peddler, solicitor or transient merchant activity in any residential zoning district between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. (6-810(a)).
• What the rep carries: The Solicitor's License, carried on the person and prominently displayed so it is visible at all times while working (6-809).
• What takes the time: A police background check (6-806(a)). The application needs Social Security Number, a copy of a government-issued photo ID, a valid Kansas sales tax number, employer details, and a photograph taken by City staff (6-805). The Clerk approves within five (5) business days unless a denial ground applies, such as a felony or crime of dishonesty in the past five (5) years or an outstanding warrant (6-806).
• Code: Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, Chapter VI, Article 8 — Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants (6-801 to 6-812, Ord. 8664; fee Ord. 8843). Read from the city's own Chapter VI PDF.
• Worth knowing: No knocking at a residence or business showing a "No Solicitors" or "No Trespassers" sign or any similar sign (6-810(b)). Peddler and solicitor licenses expire December 31 of the year issued (6-807(b)). A denied applicant (other than for an incomplete application) must wait ninety (90) days to reapply (6-806(c)).
• Read it yourself: Code of the City of Lawrence, Chapter VI — Business Licenses, Taxes and Regulations (PDF) · checked 21 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether the Chapter VI PDF on the city site is the current text of Article 8
• Whether the photograph is taken at the Clerk's office and must each rep appear in person
• Whether the $250.00 is charged again for a license issued late in the year

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________