08-07-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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RELEVANT LINKS: League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 1/4/2016 Regulating Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants Page 14 •Is the regulation not more extensive than necessary to serve those interests? While court decisions indicate use of the least restrictive means to achieve the government’s interest, the absolutely least severe restriction possible is not required. If the ordinance fails this four-part test, it is more likely a violation of the merchant’s freedom of speech. 3.Non-commercial speech Non-commercial speech occurs in many forms. Often, it is the exercise of First Amendment rights by sharing religious or political information during doorstep conversations or distributing door hangers, flyers, and other written materials. Cities generally cannot require all religious, social, or political solicitors to obtain a license or register when the primary purpose behind their activities is to share a viewpoint. Despite the ideological or constitutional differences between commercial and non-commercial conduct, many homeowners don’t value or draw such distinctions. A person who does not want to be disturbed by salespeople may also find charitable canvassing a nuisance. Additionally, some “non- commercial” speech is fraudulent or criminal in purpose. Cities have difficulties when non-commercial solicitors are, to some degree, also engaging in commercial activity (selling candy bars, raffle tickets, or religious publications). In the past, local regulations and the courts have examined specific conduct to determine if: •The activity is primarily commercial in nature and subject to local regulations on peddlers, solicitors, or transient merchants. •The sale is secondary to the expression of a belief or position and falls within constitutional protections and outside certain local regulations. 77 A.L.R.2d 1216. Vill. of Schaumburg v. Citizens for a Better Env’t, 444 U.S. 620, 100 S. Ct. 826 (1980). Local regulations have been upheld when they apply only to transactions of a commercial nature and distinguish, for example, the evangelist selling or taking orders for materials that support or further his beliefs. From a practical and conservative perspective, non-commercial advocacy is often peppered with some level of commercial activity. Often, despite the incidental commercial activities involved, the entire “speech” is generally protected. Riley v. Nat’l Fed’n of the Blind, 487 U.S. 781, 108 S. Ct. 2667 (1988). Regulations that apply to non-commercial door-to-door solicitations must be narrowly drafted to meet the legitimate interests of the city and not significantly prohibit otherwise protected activities.