San Jose, California: door-to-door solicitor permit

Partly read: the permit answer is sourced, but the fee or the hours could not be read from the city’s own pages. The clerk questions below cover the gap.

• The answer: Not clearly. The San Jose code has no chapter aimed at door-to-door sales of services. The Peddler Permit Ordinance (Chapter 6.54) defines peddling as selling on a street, sidewalk, right-of-way, park or other public place (6.54.070). The one house-to-house permit in the code is for selling subscriptions to periodicals, books or other publications (6.20.010). Confirm with the Police Permits Unit before the team knocks.
• Where it comes from: San Jose Municipal Code Title 6: Chapter 6.54, Peddler Permit Ordinance and Chapter 6.20, Canvassers of Periodicals. Both permits come from the chief of police.
• Fee: No fee is published for door-to-door sales as such. The San Jose Police Department permit fee schedule, effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, lists the peddler fees the police would charge if they treat the team as peddlers: Peddler Mobile Permit, new, $229; Employee License Fee $296; Identification Card $66 per two years. The Periodicals Canvasser permit is $172 per two years. County fingerprinting and PD ID card fees may be added. Both code chapters send you to this schedule (6.54.310, 6.20.050).
• Hours you may knock: The code sets no hours for door-to-door sales as such. If the police treat the team as peddlers, peddling in residential areas is allowed only 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Savings Time (6.54.205).
• What the rep carries: A peddler wears in plain sight a photo ID card provided by the chief of police (6.54 operating regulations). Nothing is published for door-to-door sellers outside that chapter.
• What takes the time: For the periodicals canvasser permit: two photographs, fingerprints, and up to two weeks for the chief of police to investigate; the permit lasts six months (6.20.030, 6.20.040).
• Code: San Jose Municipal Code Chapters 6.54 and 6.20. Municode shows the code as "Version: Jul 21, 2026 (current)".
• Read it yourself: San Jose Municipal Code Chapter 6.54 · San Jose Municipal Code Chapter 6.20 · San Jose Police Department, Permit Fees · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Does a rep selling a service door to door at private homes need a peddler business permit and peddler employee license, or nothing? If yes, which of the peddler fees apply per company and per rep ($229 mobile permit, $296 employee license, $66 ID card)? Do the residential peddling hours in 6.54.205 apply to door-to-door sales? Is a San Jose business tax certificate required for an out-of-town company? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________