The Hampshire Village Board this week approved an ordinance that amended the regulations of the village code regarding peddlers and solicitors.
Door-to-door sales have become less common as people make more purchases online and in retail stores.
However, Hampshire village officials noted in recent months that residents were experiencing some difficulties with door-to-door solicitors.
Village President Jeffrey Magnussen said he had the experience of a solicitor showing up at his home and trying to sell meat without a permit.
The ordinance now states that hours for solicitation in the village will be from 8 a.m. to midnight. The hours were previously 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The amended ordinance states that “it shall be unlawful for any solicitor to go from house to house, place to place or street to street in the village” unless it is for regular sales or deliveries of goods.
“Any solicitor who has entered onto any private property, whether invited thereon or not, shall immediately and peacefully depart when requested to do so by the occupant. It shall be unlawful for such solicitor to remain on the property after such request,” according to the ordinance.
Solicitors also must depart from any private property on which a “No Solicitors” sign or substantially similar sign is conspicuously posted.
The ordinance does not forbid those persons who distribute religious or political literature or materials, or those who seek to engage in discussion of religious or political topics or issues, or those who seek donations or contributions for religious or political causes, whether from a fixed location or by going door to door, place to place or street to street. These persons, however, must depart the premises peacefully if requested to do so by the property owner.
It shall be unlawful “for any solicitor to cheat or deceive any person in the village or to fraudulently misrepresent the quality, price or amount of any goods, wares, merchandise, article or service for which orders are taken in the village, or to fraudulently misrepresent the purpose of any solicitation or the person, firm or entity to be benefited thereby, or to misrepresent that a donor will be eligible for a tax deduction for any donation or contribution solicited.”
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
More Top Picks Nutribullet 800w Juicer