Los Angeles, California: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: No solicitor permit. Los Angeles regulates the knock itself: a rep must be able to show the original or a copy of the company's Business Tax Registration Certificate and carry government or school photo ID (41.43.1(c), (d)). The section covers taking orders for goods, merchandise or services. The Office of Finance list of businesses requiring permits has no door-to-door sales permit on it.
• Where it comes from: Los Angeles Municipal Code 41.43.1, as amended by Ordinance No. 181642 (Council File 09-1611). The Business Tax Registration Certificate comes from the Office of Finance.
• Fee: No permit fee, because there is no permit. The section sets no fee. The Office of Finance page on registering for the certificate does not list a registration charge; it says some business classifications owe a minimum payment at registration.
• Hours you may knock: No entering another's premises to solicit between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. of the following day (41.43.1(b)).
• What the rep carries: Photo ID showing date of birth, issued by a government agency or school, for anyone over 16, shown on request. Plus the original or a copy of the Business Tax Registration Certificate, shown on request to the resident or a peace officer (41.43.1(c), (d)).
• What takes the time: Getting the company registered with the Office of Finance. Nothing per rep: no background check, badge or fingerprinting appears in the section.
• Code: Los Angeles Municipal Code 41.43.1, Door to Door Selling or Soliciting (amended by Ord. No. 181,642, effective 5/31/11). The code host says the Municipal Code is current through legislation effective June 30, 2026, and the section shows no later amendment.
• Worth knowing: The section does not apply when the owner or occupant invited the rep beforehand, or to charitable solicitations under Article 4 of Chapter IV (41.43.1(e)).
• Read it yourself: LAMC 41.43.1, Door to Door Selling or Soliciting (American Legal) · Los Angeles code overview (currency statement) · Los Angeles Ordinance No. 181642, amending LAMC 41.43.1 · Los Angeles Office of Finance, How to Register for a BTRC · Los Angeles Office of Finance, Business Requiring Permits · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Does an out-of-town company owe a minimum business tax payment when it registers, and under which classification? Does each commissioned rep need their own Business Tax Registration Certificate, or is a copy of the company's enough? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________