Port Orange, Florida: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a permit to canvass, solicit or peddle, one per person: no permit goes to a company, and every individual soliciting needs his or her own, whether acting for himself or for another (18-146, 18-149(e), 18-150). A canvasser or solicitor is anyone going place to place taking orders for goods for future delivery or for services to be performed in the future (18-121).
• Where it comes from: The City Clerk takes the sworn application and issues the permit; the Police Department fingerprints, photographs and investigates the applicant, and the Chief of Police approves or rejects it (18-147, 18-148, 18-149; city procedures sheet).
• Fee: The code leaves the fee to council resolution (18-149(b)). The city's procedures sheet (updated 7/19/2022) lists a $30.00 non-refundable fee. Fingerprinting at the Police Department is $5.00 for residents, $7 for nonresidents, and FDLE charges $24.00 per record check for the state criminal history check.
• Hours you may knock: No soliciting between one-half hour before sunset and 9:00 a.m. the following morning, and none at any time on Sundays or National Holidays, except by specific appointment or invitation (18-123).
• What the rep carries: The permit, shown on request of any person — failing to do so is a violation (18-149(f)). A driver's license or state ID is presented when applying (18-147(b)).
• What takes the time: A notarized application, LiveScan fingerprints, a state FDLE background check that "can take several weeks," then a Police Department investigation with reference checks; the procedures sheet says the full process may take approximately thirty (30) days. Denial grounds include a BBB rating of "C" or worse, no active Florida Division of Corporations registration, and certain convictions (18-148(b)).
• Code: Port Orange Code of Ordinances, Chapter 18 — Businesses, Article VI — Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants (18-121 to 18-152), last amended by Ord. No. 2022-25. Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 2025-21, enacted September 2, 2025 (Supp. No. 43).
• Worth knowing: A permit is never issued for more than 30 calendar days in a calendar year and is not renewable (18-149(d)). No entering private premises or a residential subdivision posted "No Peddlers Allowed" or "No Solicitations Allowed" (18-127). Every order for future delivery must be in writing, in duplicate, with a copy to the buyer (18-125). The permit does not allow leaving flyers or door hangers where they can blow around or become litter (procedures sheet).
• Read it yourself: Port Orange Code, Chapter 18, Article VI — Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants · City of Port Orange — Procedures for Obtaining a Permit to Canvass, Solicit, and/or Peddle (PDF, updated 7/19/2022) · Port Orange Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 23 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether the solicitor permit fee is still $30.00, and the council resolution that sets it
• How the 30-days-per-year limit in 18-149(d) applies to a team working the city across several months
• Whether 30 days is still a realistic processing time

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________