Rock Hill, South Carolina: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a business license. The code treats all traveling salesmen selling by retail to consumers as peddlers, to be licensed accordingly (11-191), and every business carried on for gain in the city needs a business license and pays an annual license tax (11-31). There is no separate solicitor permit in the code.
• Where it comes from: The city's license official administers the business license and issues licenses (11-39). Applications can also go through the state business license tax portal run by the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (11-35(d)).
• Fee: It is a tax on gross income, not a flat permit fee. Classes 1 through 7 pay a base rate of $25.00 for each business inside city limits or $50.00 for each business outside city limits, plus $0.90 per $1,000 of gross income inside or $1.80 per $1,000 outside (Appendix A, 11-51). New businesses estimated to earn less than $1,000,000.00 are exempt for the first year only (11-36(f)). Which class covers door-to-door sales is set by the NAICS class schedule, which is not on the page.
• Hours you may knock: The code sets no knocking hours. Chapters 11, 20 and 26 contain no time limit for peddlers or solicitors.
• What the rep carries: A transient or non-resident carries the license on the person or in the vehicle used in the business, ready for inspection (11-38(a)).
• What takes the time: The license runs May 1 to April 30, due each April 30 (11-33, 11-34), and a new business must be licensed before it operates (11-35(a)). The code sets no background check or waiting period for peddlers.
• Code: Rock Hill Municipal Code, Chapter 11 — Businesses: Article II — Business, Professional and Occupational Licenses (11-31 to 11-51) and Article V — Peddlers (11-191, 11-192); rates in Appendix A. Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 2026-38, adopted June 22, 2026 (Supp. No. 94).
• Worth knowing: Read 11-192 before a team knocks. It makes it unlawful to enter the premises or dwelling house of another person to take orders for goods, wares and merchandise, periodicals and similar items; the section does not mention services. Mercantile and other business houses are excluded (11-192).
• Read it yourself: Rock Hill Municipal Code, Chapter 11 — Businesses (Art. II business licenses; Art. V peddlers) · Rock Hill Municipal Code, Appendix A — Fee Schedule · Rock Hill Municipal Code — landing page · checked 22 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether 11-192 (entering a dwelling or premises to take orders) is enforced against licensed door-to-door reps, and whether it covers services
• Which NAICS rate class the city puts door-to-door sales of services such as fiber or solar in
• Whether each rep needs a license or one company business license covers the whole team

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________