This spring, there was a Neighborhood Patrol meeting during which the solicitation situation was discussed. Here are some notes and points from the meeting:

The Dallas Solicitor’s Permit ordinance was enacted in 2014. Since that time, solicitors in Dallas must be registered and licensed before they ring your doorbell or leave a circular. If you post a sign denying permission and citing the ordinance by number, solicitors and circular distributors may be fined for ringing your bell or hanging circulars on your door.

Non-profit solicitation is exempt from this ordinance, and many of the most persistent groups know that quite well. One environmental group in particular was listed as a willful offender. Perhaps we should consider using established charities rather than anyone who comes to the door. Eventually, they may give up.

You can ask anyone who is soliciting at your door to see their Dallas solicitation license. If they won’t show it to you, close the door and call 911. ENP members may also call the ENP officer on duty.

There is a $500 fine for improper solicitation assessed against the individual doing the solicitation. The responding officer will endeavor to determine what company is responsible, but it can sometimes be difficult.

Code-specific No Soliciting stickers can be purchased for 75¢, or there is a larger sign on a stake available for $6.00 at Crime@NPNA.org.

The actual ordinance is here:

SEC. 42-4. DELIVERY OF NOTICES.

Any written notice that the chief is required to give an applicant or registrant under this chapter is deemed to be delivered:

(1) on the date the notice is hand delivered to the applicant or registrant; or

(2) three days after the date the notice is placed in the United States mail with proper postage and properly addressed to the applicant or registrant at the address provided for the applicant or registrant in the most recent registration application. (Ord. 29245, eff. 4-22-14)

SEC. 42-5. VIOLATIONS; PENALTY.

(a) A person who violates a provision of this chapter, or who fails to perform an act required of the person by this chapter, commits an offense. A person commits a separate offense for:

(1) each day or portion of a day during which a violation is committed, permitted, or continued;

(2) each item placed, deposited, or distributed on residential premises in violation of this chapter; and

(3) each residential premises to which a home solicitation is conducted in violation of this chapter.

(b) An offense under this chapter is punishable by a fine of not more than $500.

(c) The culpable mental state required for the commission of an offense under this chapter is governed by Section 1-5.1 of this code.

(d) The penalties provided for in Subsection (b) are in addition to any other enforcement remedies and penalties that the city may have under city ordinances and state law. (Ord. 29245, eff. 4-22-14)

SEC. 42-6. PRESUMPTION OF DISTRIBUTION OF COMMERCIAL PRINTED MATTER.
Whenever commercial printed matter is placed, deposited, or distributed, or caused to be placed, deposited, or distributed, in violation of this chapter, it is presumed that the person named on the commercial printed matter is the person who committed the violation, either personally or through an agent. (Ord. 29245, eff. 4-22-14)