TITLE
Recommendation to, by motion of the City Council, request City Attorney to revise the City code concerning licenses and permits and regulations for door-to-door solicitors and the placement of handbills on private property, to include provisions requiring: 1) display of a license and permit and identification by commercial solicitors; 2) requirements that handbills contain contact information for the person or organization responsible for the distribution of same; 3) allowing residents to post a "No Trespassing" or "No Solicitation" sign which prohibits all door-to-door solicitation whether commercial or non-commercial and prohibits the placement of handbills, flyers or other materials at a residence displaying such signs or signs with similar wording; and 4) establishing a "No Soliciting" registry that puts commercial solicitors on notice they may not solicit at residences who have indicated they do not want to be solicited.
DISCUSSION
Despite City codes requiring a business license and/or permit for commercial or charitable organizations who do door-to-door soliciting, residents continue to express concern that individuals are going door-to-door without any type of identification that shows the resident that the solicitor is properly licensed and permitted by the City.
The City of Long Beach does not currently require the display of a business license or permit by the solicitor, nor does the solicitor have to display identification (as other cities require) when he or she is walking door-to-door.
Additionally, handbills, door hangers, newspapers, flyers and business cards are left on porches, lawns and in door screens causing litter in neighborhoods.
Long Beach residents need a tool to stop these solicitors from invading their residential privacy.
“No Solicitation” Registry:
To empower residents, while at the same time recognizing First Amendment rights of those who go door-to-door, several cities have enacted laws giving their residents options...
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