Plymouth, Minnesota: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a license before any peddler or solicitor sells or offers goods or services in the city (1140.01). Each individual is licensed separately, even when working for the same organization, so one per rep (1140.09). Calling on householders at their own request is exempt (1140.05(E)).
• Where it comes from: The Plymouth City Clerk takes the sworn application; the Director of Public Safety must approve every license (1140.03, 1140.07). The Police Department runs the criminal history check (1019.01).
• Fee: Section 1140.01 points to Chapter X for the non-refundable fee. The Chapter X fee table lists Peddlers at $60.00/month or $300.00/six months (1010.01, Subd. 7(F)); it has no separate solicitor line. The licensee pays the fee for each person working for or assisting them (1140.10). Reps selling goods shipped to Minnesota customers directly from outside the state are exempt from the fee (1140.01).
• Hours you may knock: No entering residential premises between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. of the following day unless expressly invited by the owner or occupant (1140.13(C)).
• What the rep carries: The City-issued license certificate with the rep's photo, worn or displayed on the outermost clothing, plus identification conspicuously showing the rep's name and the company (1140.11). The certificate is shown to any police officer or resident on request (1140.07) and returned to the City within seven days after it expires (1140.12).
• What takes the time: Apply at least five days before starting, with a sworn statement covering employer credentials, dates and hours of work, criminal history and the last five cities worked (1140.03). The Police Department runs a criminal history background check with the applicant's written consent (1019.01). The Clerk issues the certificate within five days after the Director of Public Safety approves (1140.07). The license lasts only for the period applied for (1140.14).
• Code: Plymouth City Code, Chapter XI, Section 1140 — Solicitors and Peddlers, last amended by Ord. No. 2026-02 (February 10, 2026), with the fee in Chapter X, Section 1010. Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 2026-05, enacted April 28, 2026 (Supp. No. 8, Update 2).
• Worth knowing: No entering any premises posted "Peddlers and Solicitors Prohibited," even with a license (1140.15), and no cutting through side or rear yards to reach any door but the front (1140.13(F)). No continuing to offer after a person says no (1140.13(E)). An unreturned certificate blocks any new license for 12 months (1140.12).
• Read it yourself: Plymouth City Code, Section 1140 — Solicitors and Peddlers · Plymouth City Code, Chapter X — Licenses and Permits; Procedures and Fees (1010.01) · Plymouth Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 22 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether a solicitor who takes orders pays the same fee as the Peddlers line in 1010.01 ($60.00/month, $300.00/six months)
• How long the police background check takes after the application is filed
• Whether one company can file for a whole team at once under 1140.10

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________