The Donegal Township Supervisors enacted a “peddler’s” ordinance April 9, 2014 which took effect five days after the adoption. The purpose of this Ordinance is to “secure for the residents of the Township the peaceful enjoyment of their homes and property by prohibiting door-to-door solicitation during those times when such solicitation is most intrusive and disruptive; to aid crime prevention and detection; and to ensure that persons engaged in door-to-door commercial solicitation have obtained required State registrations and permits.”
As used in this Ordinance, the term “commercial solicitation” means: To offer goods, services or real property for sale or rent or to provide information for the purpose of promoting the sale or rental of goods, services or real property provided, however, that offering goods or services for sale is part of fundraising for a non-profit organization shall not be commercial solicitation.
It shall be unlawful to engage in door-to-door commercial solicitation without registration with the Township Secretary pursuant to this Ordinance. It shall be unlawful to engage in any type of door-to-door solicitation between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. The provisions of this section shall not apply to home visits by prearranged appointment.
Registration under this Ordinance shall be on forms provided by the Township Office. Each registration shall expire 30 days after issuance but shall be renewed by the Township for an additional 30-day period upon request of the registrant.
The license fee shall be established by a Resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Donegal Township. For 2014, the fee has been set at $10.
Every person engaged in door-to-door commercial solicitation shall have a valid proof of registration, as required by this Ordinance, in his or her possession at all times while so engaged in the Township and shall present the proof of registration for inspection upon request of any person. Persons engaged in door to door canvassing on religious or political subjects, or distributing religious or political handbills shall be exempt from the License requirements of this Ordinance. All such persons, however, shall carry official identification, such as a driver’s license, upon their person at all times and shall exhibit such I.D. upon request. The application and License requirements may be waived by the Township for person’s soliciting/peddling on behalf of organizations of purely public charities, such as local churches, scout troops, civic and service organizations, fire companies, school and/or athletic organizations and the like. However, said group must notify the Township in writing in advance of any solicitation.
It shall be a violation of this Ordinance to engage in door-to-door solicitation activity prohibited by Section 3 or to disregard a clearly visible sign on private property which prohibits solicitation. Any person who violates any provision of this Ordinance shall be subject to a fine of not more than $300.00 for each violation. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense and all fines shall be in addition to costs of prosecution incurred by the Township.