Yonkers, New York: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a Commercial Solicitation license, per rep. The code makes it unlawful to act as a solicitor without a license in force (20-3), and a solicitor is anyone going house to house taking orders for goods or for services to be performed in the future (20-1). The city's form says licenses "are issued to individuals, not companies." On top of the license, a licensed rep working house to house must register at the police precinct station for that area on each day he works (20-21(A)).
• Where it comes from: The Office of Licensing / Consumer Protection Bureau, 20 South Broadway, 10th Floor. The city posts the Commercial Solicitation Application.
• Fee: $23.50 license fee, non-refundable, per the city's current application. The code set the solicitor's license at $19.50 and has it increase 5% annually (20-6(D)), so the form is the number to go by. A lost license or badge is replaced for $12 (20-5(A)).
• Hours you may knock: No knocking prior to 10:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and none at any time on a Sunday, New Year's Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day (20-21(B)). The city's form says Sundays and federal holidays.
• What the rep carries: The license itself, shown on demand (20-5(B)). The form says it carries the rep's picture and the company's information and must be displayed or provided when asked.
• What takes the time: A notarized application, two passport-sized photographs taken within 30 days, the company's New York State Certificate of Authority and business certificate, a driver's license or DMV ID, a company-issued employee ID, an employment verification signed by the owner, and consent to a background check. The form also asks for the rep's name, location and dates and times to be given to the precinct and the Consumer Protection Bureau two business days before any home solicitation. No processing time is published.
• Code: City of Yonkers Code, Chapter 20, Article I, Hawking, Peddling and Commercial Soliciting (20-1 to 20-9) and Article IV, Home Solicitations (20-20 to 20-22), on eCode360. Article I's license and fee sections were last amended 2-22-2022 by Ord. No. 1-2022.
• Worth knowing: A "no solicitation" or "no soliciting" card at the main entrance means leave without disturbing the occupant (20-22). Any order with money taken in advance must be in writing, in duplicate, with a copy left with the buyer (20-8). The form lists a Home Improvement/Excavation License as a prerequisite for those solicitations.
• Read it yourself: Yonkers Code Ch. 20 Art. I (20-1 to 20-9) · Yonkers Code Ch. 20 Art. IV (20-20 to 20-22) · City of Yonkers, Commercial Solicitation Application · checked 18 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: How long does the background check and license take after a complete application? Does each rep register at the precinct in person every day, or can a manager register the crew? Is the $23.50 fee due again at each yearly renewal, and what is next year's figure? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________