Full Notification

Have you ever had solicitors or peddlers come to your door? Most of us have, and many residents have questions about whether this is allowed and what they can do to protect their privacy and interests when dealing with them. Here are some quick facts & tips to help guide you:

License is Required
The Town of Camillus law allows individuals to travel door to door to solicit business or sell items, but they may only do so if they obtain a Peddler/Solicitor License from the Town.

To obtain a Peddler/Solicitor License, each individual must pay a fee and submit an application on which they are required to provide their personal contact and identification information, their vehicle information, their company’s information and supervisor’s contact information, and details about what they are selling. Those offering items to be paid for up front and delivered at a later date must also provide an insurance bond as protection for those who purchase from them.

The applicant’s names are searched in the NYS Inmate Database and the NYS Registry of Sex Offenders and copies of the applications are provided to the Town of Camillus Police Department. If no negative information results, the applicant will be issued a Peddler/Solicitor License that is valid for the calendar year. They are required to carry the license at all times and must present it to anyone who requests it.

Allowable Hours
Solicitors and peddlers may not enter private property any day before 9:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. unless invited to do so by the resident or occupant of the property.

Non-Profit Organizations
Individuals working on behalf of non-profit organizations are exempt from the licensing and hours of solicitation requirements that apply to for-profit peddlers and solicitors.

Non-profit organizations planning to conduct solicitation within the Town must register with the Town first, noting the type of activities they will be conducting and the times when they will be soliciting. The non-profit organization must furnish personalized identification for any individual soliciting on their behalf and that identification must be presented to you upon request.

What Are Your Options?

1. Post a “No Solicitors” sign
If you don’t wish to have solicitors and peddlers approach your door, a sign will alert them not to disturb you.

2. Ask to see their Peddler/Solicitor License
If a solicitor or peddler visits your home ask to see their Peddler/Solicitor License (or official identification if they represent a non-profit organization), which they are required to carry at all times and present upon demand. This will help you to familiarize yourself with their name, company/organization, and verify whether they are abiding by the laws of the Town.

If an individual fails to present their permit or official identification upon your request, contact the Camillus Police immediately to report it (please be prepared to provide a description of the individual, their vehicle, and the location to assist police in responding).

3. Record their information
If you decide to do any business with a solicitor or peddler, you should ask to see their Peddler/Solicitor License (or official identification if they represent a non-profit organization). If you have the ability, make a photocopy of it or take a picture of it with your phone. At a minimum, you should at least write down the individual’s name and that of the company they represent, so the Town can cross-reference it with our records later if you have any problems.

4. Don’t tolerate negative behavior
If a solicitor or peddler makes you uncomfortable with pushy behavior, strange questions, or anything else that gives you cause for concern, ask to see their permit, record their information, then contact the Camillus Police immediately.

If you would like additional information about peddlers and solicitors, you can view the complete chapter of law on the Town of Camillus website - http://www.townofcamillus.com/documents/1486.pdf