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

• The answer: Yes — a registration certificate. 'No person shall engage in the activity of a canvasser or solicitor in the City without first registering with the Director of Public Safety' (§ 367-3), and a canvasser/solicitor is defined to include a person who goes door to door 'selling or taking orders for or offering to sell...goods, wares, merchandise or any article...or for services to be performed in the future' (§ 367-1).
• Where it comes from: The Director of the Department of Public Safety (or, in his absence, the Chief of Police) issues the registration (§§ 367-1, 367-3).
• Fee: $25 per registrant. 'All applicants for registration shall pay a fee of $25' (§ 367-5B).
• Hours you may knock: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 'The hours of operation for canvassers and solicitors shall be limited to the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday' (§ 367-7A).
• What the rep carries: The registration certificate, worn on the outside of the clothing. 'The registration certificate shall be worn and displayed at all times on the outside portion of the clothing worn by the registrants' (§ 367-6).
• What takes the time: Two 2-inch by 2-inch photographs of each solicitor, plus disclosure of any prior crime, misdemeanor or disorderly-persons conviction, on the application (§ 367-4). The certificate is valid for no more than 30 days, so it must be renewed for a longer campaign (§ 367-7C).
• Code: Paterson City Code, Chapter 367, Article I — Canvassing and Soliciting (§§ 367-1–367-10).
• Worth knowing: The Director of Public Safety may disapprove an application for 'reported unethical business practices,' a prior conviction, or an unsatisfactory character/business-responsibility investigation, with an appeal to the City Council (§ 367-8).
• Read it yourself: Paterson City Code § 367-1 – § 367-10, Canvassing and Soliciting · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Is the $25 fee per solicitor, or one fee that covers the whole registered crew? Can the 30-day certificate be renewed back-to-back for a longer blitz, or is there a waiting period? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________