Rockville, Maryland: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a City of Rockville solicitor's license, with a city-issued license badge worn on the person (12-241, 12-245). A solicitor is anyone going house to house taking or attempting to take orders for goods, merchandise or services (12-1). The city's own license page says a Montgomery County license is not a substitute.
• Where it comes from: The Code Enforcement Division of the Community Planning and Development Services Department, Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave. The chapter is administered by the Community Enhancement and Code Enforcement Division (12-4).
• Fee: $250.00 for a solicitor's license under Resolution No. 08A-26, the city's fee schedule effective July 1, 2026. The code makes it an annual fee for each license, paid before the license is issued (12-243(a)); a license is per person, since each solicitor applies and wears his own badge (12-242, 12-245).
• Hours you may knock: 9:00 a.m. to sunset each day, unless the resident agreed to a different time by prearranged appointment (12-261).
• What the rep carries: The city license badge, prominently displayed on the person at all times while soliciting. It shows the rep's name and address, the company he represents, the issue and expiration dates, and his photo (12-245).
• What takes the time: A signed application under oath with physical description, the names of the company's local managers, two 2-inch by 2-inch photos and a statement of any convictions; the Chief of Police or Code Enforcement Supervisor may require a full set of fingerprints (12-242, 12-7). The license issues only after a city investigation finds good moral character (12-244). No processing time is published.
• Code: Rockville City Code, Chapter 12 — Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations, Article IX — Solicitors (12-231 to 12-263), with definitions in Article I (12-1). Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 1-26, adopted January 12, 2026 (Supp. No. 17, Update 1).
• Worth knowing: Every license expires September 30, whatever month it was bought (12-243(b)). The license can be suspended up to 90 days or revoked for refusing to leave when the owner or occupant asks (12-246(b)). A rep caught without a license pays the license fee on top of any fine (12-5(b)).
• Read it yourself: Rockville City Code, Chapter 12, Article IX — Solicitors · Rockville City Code, Chapter 12, Article I — In General · Rockville City Code, Chapter 12, Article VII — Hawkers and Peddlers · Resolution No. 08A-26, schedule of user and regulatory fees, FY27 (PDF) · City of Rockville — Apply for a Hawker, Peddler, Solicitor License · Rockville City Code — landing page · checked 23 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• How many business days the investigation takes before the license and badge are issued
• Whether the $250.00 fee is prorated for a license bought late in the year, since every license expires September 30
• Whether fingerprints are being required of door-to-door sales reps right now

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________