Muncie, Indiana: door-to-door solicitor permit

Partly read: the permit answer is sourced, but the fee or the hours could not be read from the city’s own pages. The clerk questions below cover the gap.

• The answer: Not confirmed. Chapter 116 has three city controller permits, and the code does not plainly say which one covers a rep taking orders for a service such as fiber. The canvasser permit (116.10) and the door-to-door identification permit (116.16) are written around magazines, books and other literary material. The transient merchant license (116.20) covers temporary business in goods, wares or merchandise; the code's definition of temporary business includes selling services door to door (116.01). For the full list of questions, use the City Clerk Call Sheet.
• Where it comes from: The office of the city controller takes applications and issues permits and licenses; canvasser applicants are fingerprinted at the police department and show ID to the chief of police (116.11, 116.12, 116.21).
• Fee: Canvasser permit: $25.00 per applicant, good for one month (116.12, 116.13). Door-to-door identification permit: $25.00 for each day the permit is granted (116.18(A)). Transient merchant license: $50.00 for each day of business, no more than 14 days per application, plus a bond of at least $1,000.00 (116.21(B), 116.22).
• Hours you may knock: A canvasser permit holder may not solicit sales from homes between sundown and 10:00 A.M. the next day (116.14(5)). A separate rule for religious, political and charitable canvassers bars 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. (116.31). No hours rule is written for transient merchants.
• What the rep carries: Canvasser permit holders carry the permit at all times and show it to any police officer or buyer who asks (116.14(1)). Identification permit holders present the permit and corroborating ID at the start of each solicitation (116.19).
• What takes the time: Canvasser applications are filed at least two weeks before starting, with a photo, fingerprints at the police department and a statement of convictions, and the permit is picked up in person at least two weeks after filing (116.11, 116.12). An identification permit, if granted, issues within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, and needs three pieces of ID and a sworn letter from the company (116.17, 116.18(B)).
• Code: Muncie Code of Ordinances, Title XI — Business Regulations, Chapter 116 — Solicitors and Transient Merchants (116.01 to 116.40), Ord. No. 18-02 (2002) as amended by Ord. No. 14-05. Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 5-26 enacted January 5, 2026 (Supp. No. 34).
• Worth knowing: Canvasser permit holders may not enter any property without the prior consent of the owner or occupant (116.14(2)). A transient merchant license covers only the person, partners or employees of the firm named, and no more than 14 days (116.23). Violations are an infraction with a fine up to $2,500.00, each day a separate offense (116.40).
• Read it yourself: Muncie Code, Chapter 116 — Solicitors and Transient Merchants · Muncie Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 23 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Which Chapter 116 permit a door-to-door rep selling a service (such as fiber internet) needs: the canvasser permit, the identification permit, or the transient merchant license
• Whether the $25.00 identification permit fee really is charged per day, and whether it is per rep
• What hours apply to commercial sales reps who are not selling literary material
• Whether the city has a current application form and how long approval takes

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________