Madison, Alabama: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — an annual certificate of registration, one for every person who solicits at residences, including anyone seeking orders or customers for goods or services (24-6(a), (b)(1), (b)(9)). The section adds that all business license ordinances still apply on top of the registration fee (24-6(b)(1)).
• Where it comes from: The city revenue department dates and signs the certificate; appeals go to the revenue office (24-6(b)(6), (g)). The applicant fills in the city's standard form under oath and shows a photo ID (24-6(b)(2), (b)(4)).
• Fee: The current code does not print the registration fee: it is "an amount as established by the council from time to time" (24-6(b)(1)). The Madison Police Department FAQ on the city site reprints the older section 14-7, which set it at $75.00 for an annual certificate — the city has not posted a current figure beside it. Separately, the business license schedule lists Door-to-Door Sales at $90.00, for sales lasting less than 30 days (10-26, Schedule BI), and the city's posted license schedules PDF shows the same $90.00.
• Hours you may knock: No soliciting at a residence before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time unless the resident has given express permission, whether the solicitor is registered or not (24-6(j)).
• What the rep carries: A legible copy of the certificate at all times while soliciting, shown on request to the resident, a police officer or a revenue department employee (24-6(b)(1), (i)(4)).
• What takes the time: A sworn application listing the company's officers, the sales method, any past revoked permits and any misdemeanor or felony convictions, with documentation that the rep is authorized to solicit for the company and a photo ID (24-6(b)(2), (b)(4)). No felons are registered (24-6(e)). The code says issuance "shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed" and sets no processing time (24-6(b)(5)). Certificates expire December 31 each year (24-6(b)(8)).
• Code: Madison Code of Ordinances, Chapter 24 — Offenses, section 24-6 — Door-to-door soliciting; business license schedules in Chapter 10 (10-26). Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 2026-127, enacted April 13, 2026 (Supp. No. 18).
• Worth knowing: A "No Soliciting" placard at the door, or at a subdivision entrance, must be obeyed, and a certificate does not excuse it (24-6(h), (i)). A certificate names the companies the rep may solicit for; selling for any other company is a violation (24-6(b)(9)).
• Read it yourself: Madison Code, Chapter 24 — Offenses (24-6 Door-to-door soliciting) · Madison Code, Chapter 10, Article I (10-26 License fee schedules) · City of Madison FAQ — What is the ordinance on door-to-door soliciting? · City of Madison — License Schedules (PDF) · Madison Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 23 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• The current annual registration fee set by the council, and whether $75.00 is still charged
• Whether a door-to-door fiber or service team also needs the Schedule BI Door-to-Door Sales business license, and whether it is per company or per rep
• How many days the revenue department usually takes to issue a certificate

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________