San Marcos, Texas: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — an identification card from the chief of police before acting as a peddler (18.161(f)). A peddler is anyone who contacts a resident at home without a specific invitation or appointment, mainly to sell goods or services (18.151); selling includes orders for future payment or delivery (18.151). The fee is set per peddler, so one card per rep (18.153(a)).
• Where it comes from: The San Marcos Police Department takes the written application (18.152). The police permit page lists the Peddler and Solicitors Application for Permit and says to send completed applications to the department at 2300 S IH-35.
• Fee: $10.00 for each peddler or solicitor identification card, or as later adopted by council resolution (18.153(a)). The card is valid for 90 days from issuance (18.153(b)).
• Hours you may knock: No selling or offering to sell between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (18.161(a)).
• What the rep carries: The identification card, carried while selling (18.161(g)) and displayed on the outer clothing so it is reasonably visible to anyone approached (18.160).
• What takes the time: The card is issued within two business days of a complete application unless the applicant has a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in the past seven years, or a false statement on the application (18.155). If the police investigation runs past two business days the card is issued anyway, subject to revocation (18.154(b)). Each rep lists convictions for the prior seven years and shows a photo ID; a peddler application also needs the company's state sales tax license (18.152).
• Code: San Marcos City Code, Chapter 18 — Businesses, Article 4 — Peddlers and Solicitors (18.151 to 18.162), enacted by Ord. No. 2011-23. Municode shows Supplement 42 Update 1, codified through Ordinance No. 2025-43, adopted October 21, 2025.
• Worth knowing: No selling where a sign with wording including "no solicitors" is posted (18.161(c)). Government and public utility employees on duty are exempt (18.162(a)).
• Read it yourself: San Marcos City Code, Chapter 18, Article 4 — Peddlers and Solicitors · San Marcos Police — Solicitation/Peddler Permit · San Marcos Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 22 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether the $10.00 card fee in 18.153 has been changed by council resolution
• Whether one company application can cover a whole team, with a $10.00 card per rep
• Whether a public utility contractor selling fiber counts as a public utility employee under 18.162(a)

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________