Lowell, Massachusettsclerk license per rep, $25.00 filing plus $10.00 a day to $100.00 a year, $1,000 bond, 7:30 to 7:30, call police first
- The answer: Yes — a solicitor's or canvasser's license from the city, per rep. It is unlawful to solicit or canvass without one (125-2(A)), licenses go only to natural persons, never to a corporation or other business entity (125-4(C)), and a license may not be transferred or used by anyone else (125-9). A canvasser or solicitor is anyone going house to house taking orders for goods for future delivery or for services to be performed in the future (125-1).
- Where it comes from: The Lowell City Clerk, on a sworn application in duplicate. The Clerk refers it to the Superintendent of Police for investigation, and the Clerk delivers the license once the fee is paid (125-4, 125-5).
- Fee: Two charges, both in the city's Schedule of Fees and Penalties (Chapter 150, Attachment 1): an investigation of facts filing fee of $25.00 per applicant, then the canvassing/soliciting fee for the term — daily $10.00 each filing, weekly $25.00, monthly $50.00, yearly $100.00. An annual license bought on or after July 1 is half the yearly amount (125-6(B)). Every applicant also files a surety bond in the amount of $1,000 (125-7).
- Hours you may knock: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. — it is unlawful to solicit or canvass before 7:30 a.m. and after 7:30 p.m. (125-2(B)).
- What the rep carries: The city-issued license, shown at the request of any citizen (125-8) and produced for any police officer who asks (125-12).
- What takes the time: The police investigation of the application, which asks for two property-owner references in the county or other evidence of good character, any convictions, and employer credentials (125-4(A), 125-5). The bond has to be approved by the City Solicitor (125-7). No processing time is published.
- Code: Code of the City of Lowell, Chapter 125 — Canvassers and Solicitors (125-1 to 125-17), amended 7-14-2026; fees in Chapter 150, Attachment 1.
- Worth knowing: New in the 7-14-2026 amendment: before working, every licensed canvasser or solicitor must notify the Lowell Police Department of the date, time and approximate location, in person at headquarters or by phone on the non-emergency line (125-11). It is unlawful to enter or stay on premises showing a "No Trespassing" or "No Solicitation" sign (125-10). Annual licenses expire December 31 (125-16). Handing out commercial advertising at private residences without a written request is separately unlawful (125-3).
- Read it yourself: Lowell Code, Chapter 125 — Canvassers and Solicitors · Lowell Code, Chapter 150, Attachment 1 — Schedule of Fees and Penalties · Lowell Code, Chapter 150 — Fees · checked 19 September 2026
Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:
- How long the police investigation takes
- Whether the $1,000 bond can be one bond per company or must be one per rep
- Whether the police notification in 125-11 is needed every day or once per campaign
Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________
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