Whittier, California: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a city business license as a peddler, plus a photo identification badge from the city treasurer (5.04.010, 5.04.050(B)). The code's peddler is anyone without a fixed place of business in Whittier who takes orders for goods, or contracts for a service to be performed in the future, from residence to residence (5.04.120(B)(29)(a)) — that covers traveling fiber, solar, pest and security reps. Each person peddling must be fingerprinted before a license issues (5.04.120(B)(29)(i)).
• Where it comes from: The city treasurer (Finance, business license) issues the license and the badge (5.04.050(B)); fingerprints and the photo are taken by the police department (5.04.120(B)(29)(i)(i)).
• Fee: Peddler license tax: one hundred dollars per month, forty dollars per week, or fifteen dollars per day (5.04.120(B)(29)(b)). A separate fee covering the fingerprint and badge processing cost is due in full with the application (5.04.120(B)(29)(i)(ii)); the amount is not in the code, and the city's fee pages could not be read (see notes).
• Hours you may knock: No selling, demonstrating or taking orders on someone else's premises between eight p.m. and eight a.m. the following day, unless the owner or occupant invited you (5.52.050). The rule reads "no person," so it binds everyone.
• What the rep carries: The license, on the person at all times while working in the city (5.04.050(A)), and the city identification badge with the rep's picture and the city seal (5.04.050(B)). The badge expires with the business license (5.04.120(B)(29)(i)(ii)). The license must be shown to the license collector or any police officer on request (5.04.050(C)).
• What takes the time: Fingerprinting and two passport photographs, and no license issues until the California Department of Justice fingerprint report is filed with the city treasurer (5.04.120(B)(29)(i)(ii)). The code gives no processing time.
• Code: Whittier Municipal Code, Chapter 5.04 — Licensing Regulations (5.04.010, 5.04.050, 5.04.120(B)(29)) and Chapter 5.52 — Peddlers and Solicitors (5.52.010 to 5.52.060). Municode shows Supp. No. 81, codified through Ord. No. 3174 (January 13, 2026).
• Worth knowing: No ringing or knocking at any home posting a "No Peddlers" or "No Solicitors" sign unless a household member invited you (5.52.010, 5.52.020, 5.52.040). No selling on the public right-of-way within one thousand feet of a school while school is in session (5.04.120(B)(29)(f)(vi)). A peddler license is limited during special events (Ch. 5.16).
• Read it yourself: Whittier Municipal Code, Chapter 5.04 — Licensing Regulations · Whittier Municipal Code, Chapter 5.52 — Peddlers and Solicitors · checked 21 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• The fingerprint and badge processing fee per rep, and any application or administrative fee on top of the license tax
• Whether each rep pays the peddler license tax separately or reps work under one company license
• How long the Department of Justice fingerprint report usually takes before the license issues

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________