Moreno Valley, California: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a peddler's or solicitor's permit, per person. It is unlawful to act as a peddler or solicitor anywhere in the city without one issued by the Business License Officer, and it must be carried and shown to a police officer on request (5.10.020).
• Where it comes from: Moreno Valley Municipal Code Chapter 5.10, Peddlers and Solicitors. Permits come from the city's Business License Officer, after the Police Chief investigates the applicant's character (5.10.030, 5.10.050).
• Fee: The code sets the Chapter 5.10 permit fee by City Council resolution rather than a number in the chapter itself (5.10.040). The city's own Business License Categories and Application Fees schedule lists "Peddler/Solicitor - per peddler" under Category A, with a $61 application and processing fee for all classifications plus a Category A gross receipts tax of $.25 per $1,000 of gross receipts (.00025 x gross receipts).
• Hours you may knock: Eight a.m. to eight p.m. No person may practice as a peddler or solicitor between the hours of eight p.m. and eight a.m. (5.10.110).
• What the rep carries: The permit itself, on their person while working, shown to a police officer on request (5.10.020). A photograph of the permittee is attached to the permit (5.10.090).
• What takes the time: A police character investigation before the permit issues (5.10.050); the code says only that it must start promptly and finish "within a reasonable time," no day count given. The application itself requires two 2-inch by 2-inch photographs taken within 60 days and fingerprints (5.10.030).
• Code: Moreno Valley Municipal Code Chapter 5.10, §§ 5.10.010–160 (Ord. 134 § 1.1, 1987).
• Worth knowing: No knocking a door with a "No Peddlers" or "No Solicitors" sign, or words to similar effect (5.10.120). A permit under this chapter does not excuse a rep from any other required license, including the general business license referenced in the fee schedule (5.10.130).
• Read it yourself: Moreno Valley Municipal Code Chapter 5.10 · City of Moreno Valley Business License Categories and Application Fees · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Is the Chapter 5.10 investigation/permit fee (5.10.040) the same $61 shown on the Business License Categories sheet, or an additional charge? How many business days does the police character investigation usually take? Is the permit per individual rep even when the crew works for one company, or can one application cover several reps? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________