Newark, New Jersey: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a written permit from the Chief of Police, per person. “No person shall canvass or solicit without first obtaining a written permit therefor from the Chief of Police” (8:7-11(a)). Canvassing covers going house to house taking orders for goods for future delivery “or for services to be furnished or performed in the future” (8:7-10), so it reaches service sales.
• Where it comes from: The Chief of Police, Newark Division of Police. The application is on the Chief's form; the fee is paid to the Department of Public Safety (8:7-12). Revised General Ordinances, Title VIII, Chapter 8:7, Article 2, Canvassers and Solicitors.
• Fee: $500, paid at filing to the Department of Public Safety to cover the investigation. It applies per calendar year and is not prorated (8:7-12(d)). Each applicant files an application, so read it as per rep. The city's own “Public Solicitation” license page shows “Price: $0” with no scope stated; it does not match the code, so confirm the amount before you file.
• Hours you may knock: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on each weekday, and only during the period written on the permit (8:7-16). The section names no weekend hours.
• What the rep carries: The permit, carried at all times and prominently displayed on the lapel or on a neck chain (8:7-16). The permit has the rep's photograph attached and shows the employer, the goods or services, and the effective and expiration date and hour (8:7-15).
• What takes the time: File at least 14 days before the start date so the Chief of Police can investigate; the Chief may waive that when the investigation can be done sooner (8:7-12(c)). Each applicant is fingerprinted by the Division of Police and brings two recent photographs (8:7-13). The Chief may ask for an employer letter certifying the rep is authorized (8:7-12(b)). No bond is mentioned.
• Code: Revised General Ordinances of the City of Newark, Title VIII, Chapter 8:7, Article 2, Canvassers and Solicitors, 8:7-10 to 8:7-20. Every section shows “amended 9-2-2020 by Ord. No. 6PSF-D.”
• Worth knowing: Newark keeps an online No-Knock Registry. No person may canvass or solicit a registered premises (8:7-11(b)); the list is made available when the permit is issued, and it is on the rep to have the most up-to-date list before knocking (8:7-17(c)). The permit is surrendered to police when it expires (8:7-14). Labor, charitable, religious, civic and political canvassers are exempt (8:7-19).
• Read it yourself: Newark Revised General Ordinances, Chapter 8:7, Article 2: Canvassers and Solicitors (eCode360) · City of Newark, Public Solicitation license page · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Is the $500 fee in 8:7-12(d) charged per rep, and is it still the current amount? Can the 14-day filing lead be shortened for a crew arriving on short notice? Where does a permit holder get the current No-Knock Registry list? Is any weekend knocking allowed, or weekdays only? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________