Westland, Michigan: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a solicitor, canvasser or peddler license from the City Clerk (26-521). Going door to door soliciting orders for future delivery, or for installing or servicing household equipment, roofing, siding, windows and the like, is canvassing and soliciting (26-501). A company license does not cover its people: each individual who solicits must also be licensed (26-523(b)).
• Where it comes from: The City Clerk, on the clerk's forms, signed under oath (26-522). The clerk forwards each application to the Police Department for investigation, and the chief of police approves or disapproves it (26-524).
• Fee: Individual (including I.D. card) $30.00; firm, partnership, association, company or other organization $118.00; duplicate license $3.00; identification card $7.00 — from the master fee schedule (46-1(36)). The company fee and a per-rep fee for each individual both apply (26-523(b)).
• Hours you may knock: No soliciting, canvassing or peddling between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (26-503).
• What the rep carries: The license, which shows the rep's name, address and photograph, in the rep's possession at all times, displayed at the request of any police officer or any resident being solicited (26-524, 26-526).
• What takes the time: A police investigation of every application before the license is issued (26-524). A 2x2 head-and-shoulders photo of each rep, and written credentials from the employer showing the nature of the employment (26-522(a)). Reps aged 14 to 17 need state working papers (26-522). No processing time is published.
• Code: Westland Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26 — Businesses, Article IX — Solicitors, Canvassers and Peddlers (26-501 to 26-529), with the fees in Chapter 46 (46-1). Municode shows the code codified through Amendment of July 1, 2026 (Supp. No. 66).
• Worth knowing: Every license expires December 31 of the year it is issued (26-525). Every order must be written, in duplicate, with the rep's and employer's name and address, the price, down payment and payment terms, and one copy goes to the buyer (26-504). No knocking where asked not to, or where a sign near the entrance says the occupants do not want solicitors, canvassers or peddlers (26-502).
• Read it yourself: Westland Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26, Article IX — Solicitors, Canvassers and Peddlers · Westland Code of Ordinances, Chapter 46 — Fees, Rates and Charges · Westland Code of Ordinances — landing page · checked 22 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• How long the police investigation usually takes after the application is filed
• Whether the $30.00 individual license already includes the $7.00 identification card
• Whether a license bought late in the year is prorated before it expires December 31

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________