Rochester, New York: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a solicitor's license from the City of Rochester, procured three days before starting work (62-2(B)). The code's definition of a solicitor covers selling or soliciting orders for goods or services, home improvement included, "by going from house to house, whether by appointment, referral, uninvited solicitation, route sales or party plan" (62-1). The rep works under the license and wears a license or identification badge issued by the City Clerk (62-6(A)(1)).
• Where it comes from: The City Clerk's licensing office at City Hall, 30 Church Street. The Rochester Police Department runs the background check and the Chief of Police can deny on it (62-2(E)). The clerk's Permits and licenses page lists the solicitor's license and says to pick up the application at the clerk's office.
• Fee: The code publishes no fee line for a house-to-house solicitor with no vending unit. Every solicitor fee in 62-3 is tied to a truck, trailer or cart: $330 for a vending truck or vending trailer license and $250 for a vending cart license outside the three vending districts, each of which "shall include a solicitor's license." Identification badges are $24 each with the first one per license free, application materials cost a nonrefundable $7 credited toward the license fee, and a lost license or badge is $10 (62-3). Which figure a door-to-door crew pays is a question for the clerk. Licenses expire December 31 and are not prorated.
• Hours you may knock: Chapter 62 sets no hours for house-to-house soliciting. The only clock times in the chapter are for vending trucks parked on the street.
• What the rep carries: The license or identification badge issued by the City Clerk, prominently displayed on the person (62-6(A)(1)). A license holder is responsible for anyone working under a badge issued on his license.
• What takes the time: Consent to a Rochester Police Department background check, a sworn application, a New York State sales tax certificate of authority or proof of exemption, and proof of not less than $1,000,000 comprehensive/general liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured for the whole license period (62-2, 62-4). An out-of-state company also files proof of an agent for service of process (62-5). The license has to be in hand three days before work starts. No processing time is published.
• Code: City of Rochester Municipal Code, Chapter 62, Commercial Travelers, Solicitors and Special Events, amended in its entirety 4-20-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-95; fee section amended 7-18-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-202 and 7-20-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-233. Hosted on eCode360.
• Worth knowing: An eligible veteran holding a certificate under New York General Business Law § 32, or a disabled veteran under § 35, is exempt from the fees (62-3(G)).
• Read it yourself: Rochester Municipal Code Ch. 62 · City of Rochester, City Clerk, Permits and licenses · checked 18 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: What is the license fee for a rep who sells house to house with no truck, trailer or cart? Is the license per company with a badge for each rep, or does each rep need his own license? Does the $1,000,000 liability insurance requirement apply to door-to-door crews? Are there set hours for house-to-house sales anywhere in the city code? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________