Sioux Falls, South Dakota: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes. The city defines a PEDDLER as anyone going door-to-door or street-to-street "for the purpose of selling or soliciting for sale of goods, wares, merchandise or services," and it is unlawful to engage in that business without first getting a permit (§ 117.001, § 117.020). The permit is per person — each individual peddling door-to-door needs a separate permit, whether acting for themselves or as an agent or representative of a company; the permit cannot be issued to the company itself unless it runs a fixed-location temporary business (§ 117.028).
• Where it comes from: The application is investigated by the police chief or a designee, who runs a background check before a permit is granted (§ 117.022).
• Fee: $35 application fee per applicant before a permit is issued or even considered (§ 117.027). Each peddler must also file a $1,000 surety bond with the application, covering claims or damages from fraud, deceit, or other conduct in the business (§ 117.023).
• Hours you may knock: No peddling door-to-door between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. the following morning, unless the resident has a specific appointment or invitation — so 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. without one (§ 117.006).
• What the rep carries: The permit itself, displayed prominently on the peddler's person at all times while working (§ 117.029).
• What takes the time: Applicants must submit to being photographed by the police chief's office (§ 117.026), and the police chief's background investigation checks for active warrants and a list of disqualifying convictions — sex offenses, violent crime, burglary, drug distribution, theft or fraud, each with its own five- or ten-year lookback (§ 117.022). Applicants get 15 days to complete the process; an application older than that needs a new fee and a new background recheck (§ 117.021).
• Code: Sioux Falls Code of Ordinances, Chapter 117: Peddlers and Vendors, General Provisions and Permit subchapters (§§ 117.001, 117.002, 117.006, 117.020–117.029), hosted on American Legal's codelibrary.amlegal.com.
• Worth knowing: Charitable, educational, or religious organizations registered with the city are exempt from this chapter, as are traveling salespeople who deal only with retail merchants or manufacturers — but ordinary commercial door-to-door sales to residents is not exempt (§ 117.002). A permit can be denied for "any good cause" beyond the listed convictions (§ 117.022(a)(9)), and a denial can be appealed under the city's administrative code procedure (§ 30.040).
• Read it yourself: Sioux Falls Code of Ordinances, Chapter 117: Peddlers and Vendors · Sioux Falls Code § 117.001 Definitions · Sioux Falls Code § 117.002 Exceptions to chapter · Sioux Falls Code § 117.006 Hours of operation · Sioux Falls Code § 117.020 Required · Sioux Falls Code § 117.021 Application · Sioux Falls Code § 117.022 Investigation, examination of applicant · Sioux Falls Code § 117.023 Bond required · Sioux Falls Code § 117.026 Photographs · Sioux Falls Code § 117.027 Fee · Sioux Falls Code § 117.028 Issuance restricted · Sioux Falls Code § 117.029 Display · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Whether the $35 fee and $1,000 bond are one-time per permit period or renew annually; How long the police background check and photograph process typically takes once an application is submitted; Whether a company can pre-file paperwork so individual reps' applications move faster during a blitz. Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________