Chapter 5.20
PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS
Sections:
5.20.030 License – Application – Fee.
5.20.040 License – Investigation and issuance.
5.20.060 License – Exhibition.
5.20.070 License – Revocation.
5.20.080 Restrictions on time and place.
5.20.010 Definitions.
A. “Peddler” is defined as any person, either as principal or agent, who travels about from place to place, offering for sale, or soliciting consumers to purchase, goods which are carried for delivery at time of sale or services which are offered to be performed at that time.
B. “Solicitor” is defined as any person, either as principal or agent, who moves or travels about within the City of Ferndale in any manner, moving from house to house or place to place, contacting or communicating with any person or party within the City for the purpose of taking or attempting to take orders or the solicitation of orders in any manner for the sale of any products, goods, wares, or personal property of whatever nature to be left with the person or party at the time of soliciting, or taking such order for future delivery and/or the solicitation or taking of orders for any services of any type to be furnished or performed at the time of solicitation or at some time in the future, whether or not such person carries samples, and whether or not such person collects any money or advance payments therefor. In addition, this definition of “solicitor” includes any person, either as principal or agent, that is soliciting and taking orders for the sale of any product, goods, wares, or personal property of whatsoever nature and/or the solicitation and taking orders for any services of any nature to be furnished as above provided, where the solicitation activity is in a fixed location, whether within a stand, building, or other structure of any kind for present or future delivery of the same.
C. “Charitable” is defined to mean dividing or contributing to the relief of the poor, the distressed, the underprivileged; advancement of religion, education or science; support for public purposes such as police, fire, library and community functions and other governmental and local community purposes; erecting or maintaining public buildings, monuments or works; lessening the burdens of government; lessening neighborhood tensions; eliminating prejudice and discrimination; defending human and civil rights secured by law; combating community deterioration; and support for public and private school facilities, programs and school-sponsored activities including educational, sporting and extra-curricular activities and youth programs that generally benefit the youth or juveniles within the community.
D. “Charitable organization” is defined as an association, entity or other group of persons that solicits or collects contributions from the general public for charitable purposes where the total contribution is used to support the particular charitable activity. The term “total contribution” as used herein means that no part of the charitable organization’s money collected may inure to the benefit of any private person, member, shareholder, or other individual or inure to the benefit of any person or party having connection or influence with the charitable organization.
E. “Nonprofit organization” is defined as an entity registered as a nonprofit corporation under Title 24 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW); or an entity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c) of the Federal Income Tax Code.
F. “Religious organization” is defined as an entity duly organized and operating in good faith and entitled to receive a declaration of current tax exempt status for religious purposes from the United States government, and the duly organized branches or chapters of those organizations.
G. “Serious offense” is defined as any offense defined in RCW 9.41.010(16)(a) through (o). (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 714 §§ 2, 3, 1983)
5.20.020 License – Required.
It is unlawful for any peddler or solicitor, as defined in this chapter, to engage in such activity within the City without first obtaining a license therefor in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
The license required under this chapter is separate from and in addition to the general City business license issued under Chapter 5.04 FMC. Nothing in this chapter exempts a peddler or solicitor from their responsibility to also acquire a general City business license for any permanent physical business location they have in the City. (Ord. 2141 § 5, 2020; Ord. 1861 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 714 § 1, 1983)
5.20.030 License – Application – Fee.
A. Each person required to be licensed under this chapter must file with the Finance Department an application in writing, on forms provided, giving the following information:
1. Name, physical description, and date of birth of the applicant;
2. Permanent home address and local address of the applicant;
3. Brief description of the nature of the business and goods or services to be sold or performed;
4. The name and address of employer or parent organization that the applicant is representing, together with credentials or other documents verifying the relationship;
5. If goods or services are for future delivery, the place where such goods are produced, their location at time of sale, and the method of delivery;
6. Information regarding applicant’s criminal history, if any, including felony, misdemeanor and criminal traffic convictions;
7. Names of two personal or business references;
8. Signature of the applicant authorizing the City Clerk’s Office to conduct a criminal history inquiry in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;
9. Description and license plate number of any vehicle used by the applicant when peddling or soliciting.
B. At the time of filing the application, the fee as contained in the current Unified Fee Schedule for the City of Ferndale shall be paid to the Finance Department to cover the costs of investigation of the facts stated in the application, including costs associated with the criminal history inquiry. (Ord. 2242 § 1, 2024; Ord. 1861 § 2, 2014; Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 714 § 4, 1983)
5.20.040 License – Investigation and issuance.
A. Upon receipt of such application, it shall be referred to the City Clerk’s Office, who shall verify the information stated in the application and initiate the criminal history inquiry.
The disapproval of an application must be for good cause directly related to compliance with the requirements of this chapter and/or unsatisfactory results of the criminal history inquiry. The City Clerk will disapprove any application for:
1. Failure to provide the information required by FMC 5.20.030;
2. A fraud, misrepresentation, or false statement contained in the application for license;
3. Conviction of a serious offense as defined herein;
4. Conviction for offenses related to larceny, assault, fraud, sex crimes, felony drug crimes, and crimes against children and/or vulnerable adults; and
5. Any individual who is on the National Sex Offender Registry.
B. If the applicant is disapproved, the reasons for the disapproval shall be made a matter of official record and disclosed to the applicant upon request.
C. Upon approval of the application and payment of the prescribed license fee as contained in the current Unified Fee Schedule, a license shall be issued.
D. The license shall contain the name, physical description, photograph of the applicant; the name and address of the business; the kind of goods to be sold; the date the license was issued and its expiration date; and the description and license plate number of any vehicle used in such business. The City shall keep records related to such licensing pursuant to the Washington State Licensing, Permitting and Taxation Records Retention Schedule as currently adopted or amended or any other relevant records retention schedule adopted by the Washington State Local Records Committee. (Ord. 2242 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1861 § 3, 2014; Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 714 § 5, 1983)
5.20.050 License – Fees.
Upon approval of the application, the applicant shall pay a license fee as established by the current unified fee schedule for the City of Ferndale according to the approved licensing period, as follows:
A. Yearly license valid for one year from the date of issuance;
B. Bi-yearly license valid for six months from the date of issuance;
C. Temporary license valid for a period of 31 days from the date of issuance. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 714 § 6, 1983)
5.20.060 License – Exhibition.
Peddlers and solicitors are required to display their license on their person and in plain view, and to offer it for examination and inspection at the request of any citizen or police officer. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 714 § 7, 1983)
5.20.070 License – Revocation.
Licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked by the City Clerk for good cause directly related to the fitness of the licensee to solicit or peddle within the City of Ferndale, including, but not limited to:
A. Fraud, misrepresentation, or false statement contained in the application for license;
B. Fraud, misrepresentation or false statement made in the course of carrying on business as a peddler or solicitor;
C. Conducting business in an unlawful manner or in such a manner as to constitute a breach of the peace or to constitute a menace to the health, safety or general welfare of the public;
D. Conviction of any offense set forth in FMC 5.20.040(B);
E. Any violation of this chapter. (Ord. 1861 § 4, 2014; Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 714 § 8, 1983)
5.20.075 Appeal procedure.
A. Whenever the City Clerk determines that there is cause for denying any license application or revoking any license issued pursuant to this chapter, the Clerk shall notify the person holding the license using at least one of the following methods: (1) registered or (2) certified mail, return receipt requested, or (3) personal service on the licensee. Notice mailed to the address on the license shall be deemed received three days after mailing. The notice shall specify the grounds for the denial or revocation of a license and shall indicate that it is a final, appealable decision of the City Clerk.
B. The applicant or licensee may appeal the decision of the City Clerk to deny or revoke a license by filing a written notice of appeal to the City Council within 10 days of receipt of the City Clerk’s decision, pursuant to subsection (A) of this section.
C. Upon timely receipt of the notice of appeal, the City Clerk shall set a date for hearing the appeal, which shall occur within 10 days of receipt of the appeal, unless another time is stipulated to by the City and the appellant. The City Clerk shall mail notice of the date of the hearing to the applicant or licensee at least five days prior to the hearing date.
D. The hearing shall be de novo. The City Council may affirm, reverse or modify the City Clerk’s decision.
E. The decision of the City Council shall be final. Any person desiring to appeal must file an appropriate action in Whatcom County Superior Court within 14 days of the City Council’s decision. (Ord. 1861 § 5, 2014)
5.20.080 Restrictions on time and place.
A. A peddler or solicitor shall not engage or attempt to engage in activity at any home, residence, apartment complex or business that displays a “No Solicitors” or other similar sign, or otherwise provides notice to peddlers and solicitors that the occupants do not desire contact.
B. A peddler or solicitor shall not engage in business on a Sunday.
C. A peddler or solicitor shall not engage in business between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
D. A peddler or solicitor shall not intentionally obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010)
5.20.090 Exemptions.
This chapter shall not apply to:
A. The sale of farm produce by farmers and gardeners, or other persons who have raised or gathered such produce as specified in RCW 36.71.090;
B. The vending and sale of goods by veterans as specified in RCW 73.04.050 and 73.04.060;
C. Nonprofit, charitable or religious organizations as defined herein, with the exception of FMC 5.20.080;
D. Candidates for political office, campaign workers, members and representatives of political committees or political organizations campaigning on behalf of ballot issues or soliciting signatures of registered voters on petitions to be submitted to any governmental agency;
E. Representatives of the United States Census Bureau going door to door;
F. Vendors operating within and during community events and organizations on public property which have been authorized by the Ferndale City Council, including but not limited to the Ferndale Farmers Market, Ferndale Street Festival, and the Old Settlers Picnic; provided, that such vendors have current and valid written permission from the official event organizer(s) to participate. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 714 § 9, 1983. Formerly 5.20.080)
5.20.100 Violation – Penalty.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not to exceed $250.00, as well as have their license revoked. Each day that each violation occurs or is allowed to continue shall constitute a separate and independent violation. (Ord. 1861 § 6, 2014; Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 714 § 10, 1983. Formerly 5.20.090)