Source: https://ecode360.com/32048286
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 18:23:08+00:00

Document:
§ 173-2 Legislative purpose and authority.
§ 173-3 No other Town license or approval required.
§ 173-5 Exemptions from chapter.
§ 173-7 Registration of solicitors.
§ 173-10 When registration begins.
§ 173-11 Issuance of certificates.
§ 173-12 Form of certificate and identification badge.
§ 173-13 Maintenance of registry.
§ 173-14 Nontransferability of certificates.
§ 173-15 Denial, suspension, or revocation of a certificate of registration.
§ 173-17 Deceptive soliciting practices prohibited.
§ 173-18 "No Solicitation" notice.
§ 173-19 Duties of solicitors.
§ 173-20 Time of day restrictions.
§ 173-21 Buyer's right to cancel.
§ 173-24 Effect of invalid provision.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 173, Peddling and Soliciting, adopted 12-8-1975 by L.L. No. 4-1975 as Ch. 117 of the 1975 Code, as amended.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Peddling and Residential Solicitation Law" and shall apply to the Town of Blooming Grove, New York (the "Town"). This chapter replaces and supersedes the former chapter 173, entitled "Peddling and Soliciting."
Residents of the Town have an inalienable interest in their personal safety, comfort, well-being, and privacy in their residences as well as their ability to provide and receive information regarding matters of personal belief, political or charitable activities, and goods and services lawfully in commerce.
The Town has a substantial interest in protecting the well-being, tranquility, personal safety, and privacy of its residents, which includes protecting residents from unwanted, harassing, and disruptive intrusions and solicitations upon residential property. The Town also has a substantial interest in protecting residents from fraudulent, misleading, or otherwise unfair consumer sales practices, deceptive door-to-door solicitations, and criminal activity.
Permitting truthful, nonfraudulent, and nonmisleading door-to-door solicitation regarding lawful goods or services in intrastate or interstate commerce that does not violate the property rights of any property owner or resident in the Town.
The Town finds that the procedures, rules, and regulations set forth in this chapter are appropriately and narrowly tailored to preserve and protect the Town interests referred to herein, while at the same time balancing the rights of those regulated.
This chapter is authorized by the New York State Constitution Article IX, § 2, the provisions of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law, and the provisions of the Statute of Local Governments.
Persons exempt from registration need not apply for, nor obtain, any other license, permit, or registration from the Town to engage in door-to-door solicitation.
Any business licensed by the Town under another Town ordinance that uses employees, independent contractors, or agents for door-to-door solicitation in an effort to provide any tangible or intangible benefit to the business shall be required to have such solicitors obtain a certificate, unless otherwise exempt from registration.
Those responsible persons or entities associated with registered solicitors need not apply for, nor obtain, any other license, permit, or registration from the Town, provided they do not establish a temporary or fixed place of business in the Town.
Nothing herein is intended to interfere with or supplant any other requirement of state or federal law regarding any license, permit, or certificate that a registered solicitor is otherwise required to have or maintain.
Speech or conduct intended to inform, promote, or support a political position or charitable activities.
The Town Board or designee of the Town responsible for receiving the information from the Town and appellant regarding the denial or suspension of a certificate and issuing a decision as required by this chapter.
The person or entity appealing the denial or suspension of a certificate, either personally as an applicant or registered solicitor, or on behalf of the applicant or registered solicitor.
An individual who is at least 16 years of age and not a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other lawful entity who applies for a certificate permitting door-to-door solicitation.
A standardized form provided by the Town to an applicant to be completed and submitted as part of registration.
An original or copy, dated no older than 180 days prior to the date of the application, of either a New York State Bureau of Criminal Identification-verified criminal history report personal to the applicant; or verification by the New York State Bureau of Criminal Identification that no criminal history rising to the level of a disqualifying status exists for the applicant.
A commercial enterprise licensed by the Town as a person or entity under this title, having a fixed or temporary physical location within the Town.
A temporary, annual, or renewal certificate permitting door-to-door solicitation in the Town, applied for or issued pursuant to the terms of this chapter.
Advocating by persons or entities that either are, or support, a charitable organization.
That is tax exempt under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended, and qualified to solicit and receive tax deductible contributions from the public for charitable purposes.
"Charitable organization" includes a chapter, branch, area, or office, or similar affiliate or any person soliciting contributions within the state for a charitable organization that has its principal place of business outside the Town or State of New York.
A person claiming or appearing to be at least 18 years of age and of sufficiently sound mind and body to be able to engage in rational thought, conversation, and conduct.
A fully completed application form, a BCI, two copies of the original identification relied on by the applicant to establish proof of identity, and the tendering of fees.
The final entry of a conviction, whether by a plea of no contest, guilty, or entry of a judicial or jury finding of guilt, which has not been set aside on appeal or pursuant to a writ of habeas corpus. The criminal conviction is that offense of which the applicant or registered solicitor was convicted, without regard to the reduced status of the charge after completion of conditions of probation or parole, and charges dismissed under a plea in abeyance or a diversion agreement.
Sexual assault of any kind.
Violent or aggravated conduct involving persons or property.
That a debt of the applicant or registered solicitor was nondischargeable in bankruptcy pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2), (a)(4), (a)(6) or (a)(19).
The applicant or registered solicitor is currently subject to a protective order, based on physical or sexual abuse, issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The practice of engaging in or attempting to engage in conversation with any person at a residence, whether or not that person is a competent individual, while making or seeking to make or facilitate a home solicitation sale, or attempting to further the sale of goods and/or services.
Includes a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other lawful entity, organization, society or association.
The cost charged to the applicant or registered solicitor for the issuance of a certificate and/or identification badge, which shall not exceed the reasonable costs of processing the application and issuing the certificate and/or identification badge.
A civil judgment that would be recognized under state law as a judgment to which collateral estoppel would apply.
One or more tangible items, wares, objects of merchandise, perishables of any kind, subscriptions, or manufactured products offered, provided, or sold.
The previous or present classification of the solicitor as a solicitor, peddler, hawker, itinerant merchant, or similar designation.
The Town Clerk shall be responsible for receiving from an applicant or registered solicitor the completed application and either granting, suspending, or denying the applicant's certificate.
A reasonably visible and legible sign that states "No Soliciting," "No Solicitors," "No Salespersons," or "No Trespassing," or words of similar import.
Any actually held belief or information for, against, or in conjunction with any political, social, environmental, or humanitarian belief or practice.
Any person who has been issued a current certificate by the Town.
The process used by the Town licensing officer to accept a completed application and determine whether or not a certificate will be denied, granted, or suspended.
Any sincerely held belief or information for, against, or in conjunction with, any theistic, agnostic, or atheistic assumption, presumption or position, or religious doctrine, dogma, or practice, regardless of whether or not the belief or information is endorsed by any other person or public or private entity.
Any living unit contained within any building or structure that is occupied by any person as a dwelling, consistent with the zoning laws of the Town, together with the lot or other real property on which the living unit is located. This does not include the sidewalk, public street or public rights-of-way.
Refunding any monies paid or reversing credit card charges to those persons who timely rescind any sale pursuant to applicable contractual rights or law.
The conduct and agreement of a solicitor and the competent individual in a residence regarding a particular good(s) or service(s) that entitles the consumer to rescind the same within three days under any applicable federal, state, or local law.
Those intangible goods or personal benefits offered, provided, or sold to a competent individual of a residence.
Other activities falling within the commonly accepted definition of soliciting, such as canvassing, hawking, or peddling.
A person(s) engaged in door-to-door solicitation.
The information for an appeal of a denial or suspension of a certificate, submitted in any type of written statement to the Town offices by certified, registered, priority, overnight or delivery confirmation mail, facsimile, or hand delivery.
Reasonable cause that continued licensing of the registered solicitor creates exigent circumstances that threaten the peace, health, safety, or general welfare of any individuals or entities within the Town.
The written form provided to the applicant by the Town wherein the applicant agrees that the Town may obtain a name/date of birth BCI background check on the applicant for licensing purposes under this chapter, and which contains applicant's notarized signature.
Persons representing a nonprofit or charitable organization. The charitable exemption shall apply to students soliciting contributions to finance extracurricular social, athletic, artistic, scientific or cultural programs, provided that the solicitation has been approved in writing by the school administration and filed with the Town, and that such student solicitors carry current picture student identification from the educational institution for which they are soliciting.
All persons and organizations soliciting funds solely for charitable or other purposes, who are exempted from the license requirements under this chapter, shall maintain and keep records identifying all persons soliciting funds within the Town, and such records shall contain at least the name and the address of the person soliciting, the areas solicited and the date or dates of solicitation. Said records shall be made available for inspection by the Town Clerk upon request.
Unless otherwise authorized, permitted, or exempted pursuant to the terms and provisions of this chapter, the practice of being in and upon a private residence within the Town by solicitors, for the purpose of home solicitation sales or to provide goods or services, is prohibited and is punishable as set forth in this chapter.
Promote, influence, or attempt to promote or influence a property owner, occupant, or tenant to list for sale, sell, or remove from a lease real property by referring to race, color, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religious affiliation of neighbors, prospective buyers or other occupants or prospective occupants of real property.
A change in the racial, religious, or ethnic composition of the block, neighborhood, or area in which the property is located.
Make any representation or misrepresentation concerning the listing for sale, or the anticipated listing for sale, or the sale of any real property in any residentially zoned areas for the purpose of inducing or attempting to induce the sale or listing for sale of other real property in such area.
Make any representation to any prospective purchaser that any block, neighborhood or area has, will or might undergo an adverse change with respect to the religious, racial, or ethnic composition of the block, neighborhood or area for the purpose of discouraging the purchase of property in a particular area.
Place, canvass, or distribute any letter, sign, note, pamphlet, advertisement, flyer, leaflet, placard, or other written material to or upon a private residence purporting an offer for sale or purchase for any property that is not in fact offered for sale by the owner of said property.
Advertise for sale or rental property which is nonexistent or which is not actually for sale or rental.
Engage in or hire or conspire with others to commit acts or activities of any nature, the purpose of which is to coerce, create or play upon unjustified fear with the purpose of inducing or attempting to induce the sale or listing for sale of real property.
Solicit or canvass any person whose name and property address is included on the list maintained by the Town Clerk of persons requesting that they not be canvassed or solicited.
To engage in any economic reprisal or any other form of intimidation against any person because that person has filed a complaint, testified, assisted or participated in any manner in any investigation, proceeding or conference under the terms of this chapter.
To aid, abet, incite, compel or coerce any person to engage in any of the practices forbidden by this chapter or to obstruct or prevent any person from complying with the provisions of this chapter.
Refer, directly or indirectly or by implication, to race, color, creed, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in any advertisement or other solicitation offering real property for sale or rental.
Solicit or attempt to solicit the sale or rental or the listing for sale or rental of real property without furnishing, in written form, to the owner or occupier of such real property the name of the person or organization soliciting such sale, rental or listing.
Unless otherwise exempt under this chapter, all persons desiring to engage in door-to-door solicitation within the Town, prior to doing so, shall submit a completed application to the licensing officer and obtain a certificate.
Review of written disclosures. An affirmation that the applicant has received and reviewed the disclosure information required by this chapter.
The address by which all notices to the applicant required under this chapter are to be sent.
A valid identification issued by a branch of the United States military.
Upon verification of identity, the original identification submitted to establish proof of identity shall be returned to the applicant.
Proof of registration. The applicant shall provide proof that either the applicant, or the responsible person or entity, has registered with all required regulatory authorities.
Sales tax number. The applicant shall provide a sales tax number for either the applicant, or for the responsible person or entity for which the applicant will be soliciting.
Whether the applicant holds any other licenses, permits, registrations, or other qualifications required by federal or state law to promote, provide, or render advice regarding the offered goods or services.
A signed copy of a waiver whereby applicant agrees to allow the Town to obtain a name/date of birth BCI background check on applicant for purposes of enforcement of this chapter.
That a debt of the applicant was nondischargeable in bankruptcy pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2), (a)(4), (a)(6) or (a)(19).
Is the applicant currently subject to a protective order based on physical or sexual abuse issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Fee. The applicant shall pay such fees as determined applicable by the Town, which shall not exceed the reasonable cost of processing the application and issuing the certificate and/or identification badge.
Execution of application. The applicant shall execute the application form, stating upon oath or affirmation, under penalty of perjury, that, based on the present knowledge and belief of the applicant, the information provided is complete, truthful and accurate.
The validity of the applicant's proof of identity.
That a request for a temporary certificate will be granted or denied the same business day that a completed application is submitted.
The licensing officer shall not begin the registration process unless the applicant has submitted a completed application. The original identification submitted to establish proof of identity shall be returned after the licensing officer verifies the applicant's identity. A copy of the identification may be retained by the licensing officer. If an original BCI background check is submitted by the applicant, the licensing officer shall make a copy of the BCI and return the original to the applicant.
The applicant has not previously been denied a certificate by the Town or had a certificate revoked for grounds that still constitute a disqualifying status under this chapter.
A temporary certificate will automatically expire after 25 calendar days from issuance, or upon grant or denial of an annual certificate, whichever period is shorter.
Take any and all actions it deems appropriate to verify the truthfulness and completeness of the information submitted by the applicant, including but not limited to those disclosed with the application form.
Will not be issued an annual certificate for reasons cited in § 173-15.
Renewal certificate. An annual certificate shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance of the temporary certificate and shall expire at 12:00 midnight on the anniversary date of issuance. Any annual certificate that is not suspended, revoked, or expired may be renewed upon the request of the registered solicitor and the submission of a new completed application and payment of the fee, unless any of the conditions for the denial, suspension or revocation of a certificate are present as set forth in § 173-15 or a disqualifying status is present.
Certificate form. Should the licensing officer determine that the applicant is entitled to a certificate, the licensing officer shall issue a certificate to the applicant. The certificate shall list the name of the registered solicitor and the responsible person or entity, if any, and the date on which the certificate expires. The certificate shall be dated and signed by the license officer. The certificate shall be carried by the registered solicitor at all times while soliciting in the Town.
The licensing officer shall maintain and make available for public inspection a copy or record of every completed application received, and the certificate or written denial issued by the Town. The applicant's BCI background check shall remain a confidential, protected, private record not available for public inspection. The licensing officer may furnish to the head of the Town's law enforcement agency a listing of all applicants, those denied, and those issued a certificate.
Certificates shall be issued only in the name of the applicant and shall list the responsible party or entity, if any. The certificate shall be nontransferable. A registered solicitor desiring to facilitate or attempt to facilitate home solicitation sales with different goods or service or responsible person or entity from those designated in the originally submitted completed application shall submit a written change request to the licensing officer. A new certificate based on the amended information shall issue for the balance of time remaining on the solicitor's previous certificate before the amendment was filed. Before the new certificate is given to the registered solicitor, the registered solicitor shall obtain a revised identification badge from the Town, after payment of the fee for the identification badge.
The applicant has previously been denied a certificate by the Town, or has had a certificate revoked for grounds that still constitute a disqualifying status under this chapter.
That a debt of the applicant was nondischargeable in bankruptcy pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2), (a)(4), (a)(6), or (a)(19).
Denial of annual certificate renewal.
Suspension or revocation. The Town shall either suspend or revoke a certificate when any of the reasons warranting the denial of a certificate occurs and/or for any violation of this chapter.
Notice of denial or suspension. Upon determination of the licensing officer to deny an applicant's completed application or to suspend a registered solicitor's certificate, the Town shall cause written notice to be sent to the applicant or registered solicitor by the method indicated in the completed application. The notice shall specify the grounds for the denial or suspension, the documentation or information the Town relied on to make the decision, the availability of the documentation for review by applicant upon three business days' notice to the Town, and the date upon which the denial or suspension of the certificate shall take effect. It shall further state that the applicant or registered solicitor shall have 10 business days from the receipt of the notice of denial or suspension to appeal the same. The denial or suspension of the certificate shall be effective no sooner than three calendar days from the date the notice is sent, unless that suspension is because of exigent circumstances outlined in Section 173-4, in which case the suspension is effective immediately. The denial or suspension shall remain effective unless and until the order is rescinded, overturned on appeal, or determined by a court to be contrary to equity or law. Failure to appeal the suspension of a certificate automatically results in its revocation.
Editor's Note: See the definition of "substantiated report," Subsection C(4).
Any appeal must be submitted in writing to the Town Clerk, with a copy to the license officer, within 10 business days of the decision from which the appeal is taken. Such appeal shall describe in detail the nature of the appeal, the action complained of and the grounds for appeal.
Upon request of the applicant or registered solicitor, within one business day the Town will make available any information upon which it relied in making the determination to either deny or suspend the certificate.
The appeals officer shall review, de novo, all written information submitted by the applicant or registered solicitor to the licensing officer, any additional information relied upon by the licensing officer as the basis for denial, suspension or revocation, and any additional information supplied by the Town, applicant or registered solicitor. Any additional information submitted by any party to the appeal to the appeals officer shall be simultaneously submitted to the opposing party. If desired, any party shall have three business days to submit rebuttal documentation to the appeals officer regarding the additional information submitted by the opposing party.
The appeals officer will render a decision no later than 15 calendar days from the date the appeal was taken, unless an extension of time is agreed upon by the parties. In the event that any party to the appeal submits rebuttal information as allowed in Subsection C of this section, the 15 calendar days shall be extended to include the additional three days for rebuttal.
The denial or suspension of the certificate shall be reversed by the appeals officer if, upon review of the written appeal and information submitted, the appeals officer finds that the licensing officer made a material mistake of law or fact in denying or suspending the applicant or registered solicitor's certificate.
If the written appeal and information submitted indicates that the licensing officer properly denied or suspended the certificate of the applicant or registered solicitor, the denial or suspension of the certificate shall be affirmed and constitute a determination that the suspended certificate is revoked.
The decision of the appeals officer shall be delivered to the applicant or registered solicitor by the means designated in the completed application, or as otherwise agreed upon when the appeal was filed.
After the ruling of the appeals officer, the applicant or solicitor is deemed to have exhausted all administrative remedies with the Town.
Nothing herein shall impede or interfere with the applicant's, solicitor's, or Town's right to seek relief in a court of competent jurisdiction.
No solicitor shall intentionally make any materially false, fraudulent, or otherwise misleading statement in the course of soliciting.
A solicitor shall immediately disclose to the consumer during face-to-face solicitation the name of the solicitor, the name and address of the entity with whom the solicitor is associated, and the purpose of the solicitor's contact with the person and/or competent individual. This requirement may be satisfied through the use of the badge and an informational flyer.
No solicitor shall use a fictitious name, an alias, or any name other than his or her true and correct name.
No solicitor shall represent directly or by implication that the granting of a certificate of registration implies any endorsement by the Town of the solicitor's goods or services, or of the individual solicitor.
Any occupant of a residence may give notice of a desire to refuse solicitors by displaying a "No Solicitation" sign, which shall be posted on or near the main entrance door or on or near the property line adjacent to the sidewalk leading to the residence.
The display of such sign or placard shall be deemed to constitute notice to any solicitor that the inhabitant of the residence does not desire to receive and/or does not invite solicitors.
It shall be the responsibility of the solicitor to check each residence for the presence of any such notice.
The provisions of this section shall apply also to solicitors who are exempt from registration pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
In addition and/or alternatively, any person who owns, rents, and/or otherwise occupies a residence and/or business in the Town who does not wish to have anyone enter upon and/or call upon the residence or business to solicit may inform the Town Clerk's office of the same in writing, and the Town Clerk's office shall maintain and make available for public inspection a list of the addresses of those persons that do not want anyone to enter upon and/or call upon their residence and/or place of business. A list of addresses of those persons not wanting solicitors to enter upon and/or call upon their residence and/or place of business shall be given to each person who files an application for a solicitation license in the Town.
Every person soliciting or advocating shall check each residence for any "No Soliciting" sign or placard or any other notice or sign notifying a solicitor not to solicit on the premises, such as, but not limited to, "No Solicitation" signs. If such sign or placard is posted, such solicitor shall desist from any efforts to solicit at the residence or dwelling and shall immediately depart from such property. Possession of a certificate of registration does not in any way relieve any solicitor of this duty.
It is a violation of this chapter for any person soliciting or advocating to knock on the door, ring the doorbell, or in any other manner attempt to attract the attention of an occupant of a residence that bears a "No Solicitation" sign or similar sign or placard for the purpose of engaging in or attempting to engage in advocating, a home solicitation sale, door-to-door soliciting, or soliciting.
It is a violation of this chapter for any solicitor through ruse, deception, or fraudulent concealment of a purpose to solicit to take action calculated to secure an audience with an occupant at a residence.
Any solicitor who is at any time asked by an occupant of a residence or dwelling to leave shall immediately and peacefully depart.
The solicitor shall not intentionally or recklessly make any physical contact with or touch another person without the person's consent.
The solicitor shall not follow a person into a residence without their explicit consent.
The solicitor shall not continue repeated soliciting after a person and/or competent individual has communicated clearly and unequivocally their lack of interest in the subject, goods or services of the solicitor.
The solicitor shall not use obscene language or gestures.
It shall be unlawful for any person, whether licensed or not, to solicit at a residence before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m., unless the solicitor has express, prior written permission from the resident to do so.
In any home solicitation sale, unless the buyer requests the solicitor, in writing, to provide goods or services without delay, the seller or solicitor shall present to the buyer and obtain buyer's signature to a written statement which informs the buyer of the right to cancel within the 10th business day after signing an agreement to purchase. Such notice of "buyer's right to cancel" shall be in the form required by the Town.
Any person who violates any term or provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine of not to exceed $1,000 and/or a jail sentence of not to exceed six months.
The Police Department of the Town of Blooming Grove, and/or the enforcement official as may be designated, is charged with enforcing the provisions of this chapter and shall have the power, right and authority to issue an appearance ticket, as the same is defined in Article 150 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the State of New York, for the violation of any section of this chapter.
Any persons claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged unlawful practice forbidden by this chapter may, by himself or by his attorney at law, make, sign and file a complaint directly with the Police Department, or with the Town Clerk, who shall forward the complaint to the Police Department for investigation.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preempt any provision of state or federal law.
Should any courts of this state declare any provision of this chapter unconstitutional, unauthorized, or in conflict with any other section or provision of this chapter, then such determination shall affect only that specific section or provision so declared to be unconstitutional or unauthorized and shall not affect any other section or part of this chapter.
This local law shall take effect immediately when it is filed in the office of the New York State Secretary of State, in accordance with § 27 of the Municipal Home Rule Law.

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 § 2
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 § 27