Stamford, Connecticut: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: On paper, yes — a solicitor’s permit for every rep over 16 who goes house to house taking orders for goods for future delivery or services to be performed later (179-14, 179-15). But a 6 January 2021 opinion from the city’s own Office of Legal Affairs says the ordinance conflicts with the state enabling statute and is unenforceable, and that Cashiering & Permitting had not required the permits for some time. The article is still in the code and the city still lists an Application For Solicitors Permit. Call before you send a team.
• Where it comes from: The Division of Cashiering and Permitting, in the Office of Operations, issues the permit (179-15(A)).
• Fee: $350 per permit, set in the code (179-15(A)). The permit is personal, not transferable, and good for no more than one year (179-19(D)).
• Hours you may knock: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (179-20(B)).
• What the rep carries: The permit, which carries the rep’s name, address, permit number and a full-face photograph, prominently displayed on the person while soliciting (179-15(B), (C)). Every order gets a signed written receipt showing the goods, total price, down payment and approximate delivery date (179-21).
• What takes the time: The insurance. Each applicant files a certificate of insurance naming the city as additional insured, in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 (179-18). The same section wants a signed hold-harmless agreement. The application also wants two photographs and proof of a Connecticut sales and use tax permit (179-17(B)). A fraud misdemeanor in the last five years, or a felony within five years of the end of the sentence, is grounds for refusal (179-19(B)). The code sets no processing deadline.
• Code: Stamford Code of Ordinances, Chapter 179, Peddlers, Street Vendors and Solicitors, Article II, Solicitors, 179-14 to 179-21.3. Adopted 10-3-1988 as part of Ord. No. 621; 179-15 last amended 5-6-2002 by Ord. No. 985.
• Worth knowing: The article exempts insurance sales, newspapers, food and beverage delivery and sales to stores and businesses (179-16). Each order solicited in violation is a separate offense with a fine not exceeding $90 (179-21.3). The permit does not let a rep into any area where restrictions on public access are in effect (179-20(A)).
• Read it yourself: Stamford Code Chapter 179, Article II, Solicitors · City of Stamford Office of Legal Affairs, opinion on Code Sections 179-14 et seq., 6 January 2021 · City of Stamford, Cashiering & Permitting Permits · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Is Cashiering & Permitting issuing or requiring solicitor’s permits under Chapter 179, Article II today, given the 2021 legal opinion? If yes, whether the fee is still the code figure and whether the insurance certificate is required per rep or per company; Whether the city has any No Soliciting sign or no-knock list rule. Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________