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<br />WS – Item 5 <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item No. 5 <br /> <br /> <br />Date: July 5, 2017 <br /> <br />To: City Council <br /> <br />From: Julie Bartell <br /> <br />Re: Peddler/Solicitor Licensing Process <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />A damaging storm recently impacted properties in the City and as a result there are many <br />contractors seeking work in the area. The contractors’ preferred method of contact is <br />knocking on doors to sell their services. City staff is receiving inquiries from property <br />owners, contractors, and elected officials in regard to how the city licenses and enforces <br />regulations on this type of activity. <br /> <br />Licensing - The city provides two options for selling door to door in the city: <br /> <br />Peddler/Solicitor/Transient Merchant License. This license is authorized by the City’s <br />Code of Ordinances. It requires a background check for individuals and a business <br />check, and the cost is $250 for up to six months. This license requires city council <br />approval so it can take several weeks to issue. These regulations were updated in 2009 <br />when the entire code was reviewed. <br /> <br />Door-to-Door Notification. Contractors can fill out one form letting the city know that <br />they will be distributing flyers in the city. This is not considered a license and doesn’t <br />allow individuals to knock on doors. No council approval is required but it allows the <br />city to know who is working in the city and allows contractors to get their contact <br />information to those who may be interested in services. <br /> <br />Enforcement – Regulations don’t work well without awareness, comprehension and <br />enforcement. Therefore our licensing process for peddlers includes the following: <br /> <br />License Applicants – receive a clear explanation and outline of our process, a copy of the <br />city regulations and are instructed to carry a copy of their license with them when they <br />work. They are also informed of the city’s contractor license regulations. <br /> <br />City Residents – staff informs residents of the city’s regulations through the website, <br />regular newsletter articles and by providing proof of licensure for vendors to carry. <br />When we receive resident reports of unlicensed vendors, we inform the public safety <br />department and note violations in the license file for future reference or, if necessary, <br />license revocation action.