Tampa, Florida: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: No city door-to-door permit is in the code. Tampa's Code of Ordinances has no peddler, solicitor or canvasser permit chapter for residential sales. What applies in Tampa is the state home solicitation sale permit, issued by the Hillsborough County Clerk.
• Where it comes from: The Tampa Code on Municode: Chapter 6, Business Regulation, Article III lists its divisions and none covers residential solicitors (the canvassing division is limited to the Ybor City Historic District, 6-210 to 6-215). "Solicitation regulation" (14-46) only bans threatening or persistent requests for donations or payment. A full-text search for "solicitors," "peddlers," "door-to-door" and "canvasser" finds nothing else. The state permit is on the Hillsborough Clerk's Home Solicitation page.
• Fee: City: none published, because the code sets no city permit. State permit through the Hillsborough Clerk: "a non-refundable application fee of $100" per applicant, plus Live Scan fingerprinting that the rep arranges separately (cost not stated on the page).
• Hours you may knock: Not published. The Tampa code sets no knocking hours for solicitors.
• What the rep carries: Nothing city-issued. Under state law a permit holder carries the state permit at all times and shows it before starting the pitch (F.S. 501.022(8)).
• What takes the time: For the state permit: an online or paper application, an in-person appointment at the Clerk's Tampa, Brandon or Plant City office, two passport photos, and Live Scan fingerprints. The statute gives FDLE and the sheriff up to 60 days to report back to the clerk (F.S. 501.022(3)).
• Code: City of Tampa Code, Chapter 6 Article I (6-4, 6-29) and Article III, 14-46 and 24-120 (business tax schedule). Municode shows the online version as "May 27, 2026 (current)." Florida Statutes 501.021 to 501.055.
• Worth knowing: The Clerk's page says permits are required for door-to-door solicitations for amounts in excess of $25. Leaving flyers or door hangers is its own rule: a “business or individual advertising on the private property of another by means of handbills” is a regulated business that needs a city business operating permit (6-4, 6-29); the fee is set by council resolution and is not in the code (6-37). A "No Advertising" or "No Solicitation" sign makes it unlawful to leave handbills on that property, and the business is liable too (6-171). The statute lists exclusions, including sales by sample, catalog or brochure for future delivery (F.S. 501.022(1)(b)).
• Read it yourself: Tampa Code Chapter 6, Article III, Specific Regulations and Requirements · Tampa Code Chapter 6, Article I, Administrative Provisions · Tampa Code 14-46, Solicitation regulation · Tampa Code 24-120, business tax schedule · Hillsborough County Clerk, Home Solicitation Sales Permit · Florida Statutes 501.022 · checked 19 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Does the City of Tampa require a business tax receipt for an out-of-town company whose reps sell door to door in the city, and under which line of 24-120? How long is the Hillsborough Clerk currently taking to issue a home solicitation sale permit after fingerprints? What does Live Scan fingerprinting cost for this permit? Does a crew that leaves door hangers need the city business operating permit for handbill advertising (6-29), and what is the fee? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________