Chapter 3. Charitable, Religious and Political Solicitations

Sec. 6-3.01 Definitions.

In this Chapter, the singular includes the plural, and the masculine gender includes the feminine gender.

(a) “Charitable Solicitor” means any person who travels from door to door, house to house, place to place, or street to street, requesting money, alms, pledges, credit, property, financial assistance of any kind, or other thing of value, and the plea or representation that such money, alms, pledges, credit, property, financial assistance, or other thing of value will be used for charitable, scientific, educational or religious organizations or causes.

(b) “Charitable, Scientific, Education and Religious” means those activities undertaken by organizations which have achieved a tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service and/or State Board of Equalization;

(c) “Canvasser” means any person who travels from door to door, house to house, place to place or street to street, requesting money, alms, pledges, credit, property, financial assistance of any kind, or other thing of value, for a political purpose.

(d) “Political” means advocacy, for the passage or defeat, or a measure appearing on the ballot at any national, state or local election; for the election or defeat of any candidate for a public office in any national, state or local election; for legislative or judicial action regarding an international, national, state or local issue.

(e) “Person” means and includes any individual, foundation, nonprofit organization, corporation, partnership, association, church, religious sect, religious society or any other form of organization and includes any agent thereof.

(f) “City” means the City of Hercules. (Ord. 202 § 2 (part), 1985)

Sec. 6-3.02 Restricted Premises.

It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit by ringing a bell, knocking on doors, or in any way personally contacting the residents or occupants of buildings, structures or premises upon which there is painted, affixed or otherwise displayed to the public view any sign containing any or all of the following words, to wit: “No Peddlers,” “No Solicitors,” or “No Agents,” or which otherwise purports to prohibit solicitation or canvassing on the premises.(Ord. 202 § 2 (part), 1985)

Sec. 6-3.03 Restricted Hours.

Solicitation or canvassing shall be limited to the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Solicitation or canvassing at any other time is prohibited. (Ord. 202 § 2 (part), 1985)

Sec. 6-3.04 Penalty.

Violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter or the knowing or intentional misrepresentation to any officer or employee of the City of any material fact in procuring a permit in this Chapter, shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a person violates any provision of this Chapter shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 202 § 2 (part), 1985)