Santa Clara, California: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes. It is unlawful to engage in solicitation or peddling in Santa Clara without a permit issued by the Chief of Police (5.05.020).
• Where it comes from: Santa Clara City Code Chapter 5.05 (Solicitors and Peddlers). Applications go to the Police Department's Permits Unit; the Chief of Police reviews and approves them (5.05.040, 5.05.070).
• Fee: $377 for the Solicitor/Peddler Application plus a fingerprinting fee, $161 to renew, or $161 for an employee-only permit under an already-permitted business — per the city's own Fees & Fines schedule. The code itself (5.05.060) says the fee is set by Council resolution and applies to each individual solicitor or peddler.
• Hours you may knock: 10:00 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset — soliciting or peddling is barred "between one-half hour after sunset and 10:00 A.M. of the following day" (5.05.170(c)).
• What the rep carries: The Chief of Police-issued identification card with photo, worn in plain sight at all times while soliciting or peddling, and shown to any city official on demand (5.05.080, 5.05.170(d)).
• What takes the time: Fingerprinting at the time of application, plus a Police Department background investigation into the applicant's statements and history (5.05.050, 5.05.060).
• Code: Santa Clara City Code 5.05.005 through 5.05.190 (Solicitors and Peddlers). Code current through legislation dated January 27, 2026.
• Worth knowing: A sign reading "No Solicitors," "No Peddlers" or similar posted at a residence or business bars a rep from ringing the bell or knocking there, licensed or not (5.05.190). The permit is denied for certain violent, sex, or property-crime convictions in the past five years (5.05.090).
• Read it yourself: Santa Clara City Code Chapter 5.05, Article I - General Provisions · City of Santa Clara Police Department Fees & Fines · Santa Clara City Code Table of Contents · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Whether the $377 application fee or the $161 employee-only fee applies when our company already has a permitted business; How long the fingerprinting and background check take to clear. Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________