Source: https://www.ecode360.com/33153559
Timestamp: 2019-06-24 19:40:27
Document Index: 318492244

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 523', '§ 35', '§ 523', '§ 35', '§ 35', '§ 523', '§ 35']

Town of Monroe, NY Peddling and Solicitation
§ 35-2 Legislative purpose and authority.
§ 35-4 Exemptions from chapter.
§ 35-5 (Reserved)
§ 35-6 Solicitation prohibited.
§ 35-7 Registration of solicitors.
§ 35-8 Application form.
§ 35-9 Written disclosures.
§ 35-10 When registration begins.
§ 35-11 Issuance of certificates.
§ 35-12 Bonding requirements.
§ 35-13 Form of certificate and identification badge.
§ 35-14 Maintenance of registry.
§ 35-15 Nontransferability of certificates.
§ 35-16 Denial, suspension, or revocation of certificate of registration.
§ 35-17 Appeals.
§ 35-18 Deceptive soliciting practices prohibited.
§ 35-19 No-solicitation notice.
§ 35-20 Duties of solicitors.
§ 35-21 Time-of-day restrictions.
§ 35-22 Buyer's right to cancel.
§ 35-23 Penalties for offenses.
§ 35-24 Enforcement.
Chapter 35 Peddling and Solicitation
Peddling and Solicitation Amendment
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Monroe 3-19-2018 by L.L. No. 4-2018[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Editor's Note: This local law also superseded former Ch. 35, Peddling and Soliciting, adopted 4-19-1999 by L.L. No. 1-1999.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Peddling and Residential Solicitation Law of the Town of Monroe." This chapter replaces and supersedes the former Chapter 35, entitled "Peddling and Soliciting."
Town 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.
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of regulating local activities of itinerant sellers and solicitors of orders for sale in order that the peace, health, safety, welfare and good order of the Town and its inhabitants be preserved.
There must be a balance between these substantial interests of the Town and its residents and the effect of this chapter on any rights of those regulated. Based on the collective experiences derived from regulating business activity, protecting persons and property from criminal conduct, responding to the inquiries and complaints of residents regarding door-to-door and in-home canvassing and solicitation, the experience of its law enforcement officers and those affected by door-to-door and in-home canvassing and solicitation, as well as judicial decisions outlining the boundaries of constitutional protections afforded and denied persons seeking to engage in door-to-door and in-home canvassing and solicitation, the Town adopts this chapter to promote the Town's substantial interests in:
Regulating local activities of itinerant sellers and solicitors of orders for sale in order that the peace, health, safety, and welfare of the Town and its inhabitants shall be preserved;
Providing equal opportunity to advocate for and against religious belief, political position, or charitable activities; and
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.
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. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preempt any provision of state or federal law.
Speech or conduct intended to inform, promote, or support a political position, or charitable activities.
The Town Board or designee of the Town Board 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.
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 temporary, annual, or renewal certificate permitting door-to-door solicitation in the Town applied for or issued pursuant to the terms of this chapter.
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 also 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 fully completed application form, a BCI report, 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, 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 diversion agreement.
A final civil judgment has been entered against the applicant or registered solicitor within the last five years indicating that:
That a debt of the applicant or registered solicitor was nondischargeable in bankruptcy pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2), (4), (6) or (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 sale of prepared food products for immediate consumption from a motor vehicle, trailer, platform, stand or tent on any highway or other place within the Town other than within a fully enclosed building or a stand or outside sales and eating place maintained as an adjunct to a food-vending business maintained in any adjoining fully enclosed building.
The Town Clerk or other designee of the Town Board responsible for receiving from an applicant or registered solicitor the completed application and either granting, suspending, or denying the applicant's certificate.
NO-SOLICITATION SIGN
A reasonably visible and legible sign that states "No Soliciting" or "No Solicitors" or "No Salespersons" or "No Trespassing," or words of similar import.
One or more persons, corporations, partnership, associations, organizations and all other entities.
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.
A trucker, gardener or farmer who himself or by his agents sells or barters products of his own farm or garden from any location within the Town, other than his residence or farm.
A person(s) engaged in door-to-door solicitation or otherwise engaged in activities constituting 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.
An oral, written, or electronic report that is submitted to and documented by the Town by any of the following:
A law enforcement officer with jurisdiction in the Town or a licensing officer; or
Any other regularly established law enforcement agency at any level of government; and
Probable cause that the registered solicitor has a disqualifying status that has not yet been confirmed to be a disqualifying status;
Documented, eyewitness accounts that the registered solicitor has engaged in repeated patterns of behavior that demonstrate failure by the registered solicitor to adhere to the requirements of this chapter; or
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 the applicant's notarized signature.
Persons soliciting in good faith for the benefit of any bona fide fraternal, educational, religious, or charitable organization such as Girl or Boy Scout programs, Little League, Rotary Club, Lions Club or like-minded local civic groups soliciting for the benefit of organizations that shall have otherwise been certified or otherwise been duly qualified as required by law or by any competent governmental body or agency;
Persons advocating or disseminating information for, against, or in conjunction with any religious belief or political position regardless of whether goods, services, or any other consideration is offered or given, with or without any form of commitment, contribution, donation, pledge, or purchase;
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;
A wholesaler selling articles to dealers or merchants who have an established place of business within the Town or their employees while acting within the scope of their employer and not having another use;
Persons engaged in the sale of cosmetics or household goods within a residence, provided that such sales occur solely and exclusively within a residence by permission of the owner thereof;
A child regularly attending any public or private school within the County of Orange.
Sales conducted pursuant to statute or court order.
All persons and organizations 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 a law enforcement authority or other enforcement official investigating any solicitor or peddler.
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 or property upon which a private residence is located 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. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or operate a transient retail business, roadside farm market or food vending business.
Further, it shall be unlawful for any person to "solicit," as defined in § 35-3, within the Town without first having registered with the Town Clerk and having received, and having in force and effect, a certificate for the same, if such is required by the Town Clerk.
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 or sale of 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.
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.
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, or solicit or canvass any occupant of a residence displaying a no-solicitation notice.
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.
Solicit on sidewalks.
Maintain any booth or stand or place any barrels, boxes, crates or other obstruction upon any street, sidewalk or public place for the purpose of conducting business without the express advanced approval of the Code Enforcement Officer or the Town Board.
Willfully misstating any fact about any article offered for sale.
Willfully offering for sale any article of an unwholesome or defective nature.
Call attention to his goods by blowing a horn, by ringing a bell, other than a house doorbell, by shouting or crying or by any loud or unusual noise, except that peddlers of ice cream and ice cream products for immediate consumption are exempted from the foregoing prohibition of the use of a bell.
Fail to keep any vehicle or receptacle used by him in his licensed business in a sound, clean and/or sanitary condition.
Fail to keep any edible articles offered for sale well protected from dirt, dust and insects.
Fail to deliver to every person to whom a sale is made or from whom an order is taken a legibly written receipt, signed and dated by the licensee, setting out the total price, a description of the goods or services sold or ordered and a statement of any payment received by the licensee.
Fail to leave premises promptly upon request of any occupant of such premises.
Solicit or sell during hours other than between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Conduct business in a Town right-of-way or on Town property.
Conduct activities in such a manner as to interfere with the pedestrian or vehicular use of the public streets and places.
Cause or permit the public streets and places to be littered with papers, wrappings or other debris or refuse.
Conduct business within 100 feet of a street intersection.
All solicitors shall immediately move from a location if so ordered by any police officer or Town officer on grounds that the location is unsafe. Refusal to obey such order shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of the license. Such order may be appealed to the Town Board in the manner set forth herein.
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. Any false statement on any application shall be grounds for denial or revocation of the license.
The applicant's true, correct and legal name, including any former names or aliases used during the last 10 years;
The applicant's telephone number, home address and mailing address, if different;
If different from the applicant, the name, address, and telephone number of the responsible person or entity;
The address by which all notices to the applicant required under this chapter are to be sent;
The name and address of the firm represented, if any; and
The name and address of a person upon whom legal notice or process may be served.
An in-person verification by the licensing officer of the applicant's true identity by use of any of the following which bear a photograph of said applicant:
A student identification card provided by an educational institution;
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;
Marketing information. The applicant shall provide the following:
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;
The length of time for which the license is required;
A description of the vehicle, including license number of the vehicle the applicant intends to use in the Town; and
The location the applicant intends to sell goods, wares, services, or merchandise or solicit orders for the same.
BCI background check/report. The applicant shall provide:
An original or a copy of a BCI background check; and
A signed copy of a waiver whereby the applicant agrees to allow the Town to obtain a name/date of birth BCI background check on the applicant for purposes of enforcement of this chapter.
Responses to questions regarding disqualifying status. The applicant shall be required to affirm or deny each of the following statements on the application form:
Has a final civil judgment been entered against the applicant within the last five years indicating that:
That a debt of the applicant was nondischargeable in bankruptcy pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2), (4), (6) or (19);
Fee. The applicant shall pay such annual certificate fees as determined from time to time by resolution of the Town Board, which shall not exceed the reasonable cost of processing the application and issuing the certificate and/or identification badge. Any person who presents a valid current license issued by the Orange County Clerk pursuant to the provisions of the General Business Law of the State of New York shall be exempt from paying the fees required by the Town for the issuance of a license under this chapter.
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 applicant's submission of the application authorizes the Town to verify information submitted with the completed application, including, but not limited to:
The validity of the applicant's proof of identity;
The Town may consult any publicly available sources for information on the applicant, including but not limited to databases for any outstanding warrants, protective orders, or civil judgments;
Identification of the fee amount that must be submitted by the applicant with a completed application;
The Town will maintain copies of the applicant's application form, proof of identity, and identification badge. These copies will become public records available for inspection on demand at the Town offices, whether or not a certificate is denied, granted, or renewed;
A temporary certificate may be issued allowing the applicant to immediately begin door-to-door solicitation upon the following conditions:
The applicant's submission of a completed application;
The applicant's submission of the required fee;
The applicant establishes proof of identity;
The BCI Report does not affirmatively show a disqualifying status; and
Annual certificate. Within 25 calendar days of the date the applicant has submitted a completed application, the Town shall:
Will not be issued an annual certificate for reasons cited in § 35-16.
Renewal certificate. An annual certificate shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance of the annual certificate and shall expire at 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 § 35-16 or a disqualifying status is present.
Prior to the issuance of any certificate, the applicant shall file with the Town Clerk either a bond running to the Town in the amount of $1,500, with good and sufficient surety, in such form to be approved by the Town Attorney; or the amount of $1,500 to be held in escrow. Said bond or amount shall remain in escrow for the term of the license and shall be conditioned to indemnify and pay the Town for any penalties or costs incurred in the enforcement of any of the provisions of this chapter.
Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter by the applicant or his agents, servants, or employees.
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 licensing officer. The certificate shall be carried by the registered solicitor at all times while soliciting in the Town.
Identification badge. With both the temporary and annual certificates, the Town shall issue each registered solicitor an identification badge that shall be worn prominently on his or her person while soliciting in the Town. The identification badge shall contain:
The address and phone number of the registered solicitor, or the name, address, and phone number of the responsible person or entity is provided;
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, including the date of issuance of any license and the date of revocations of all licenses revoked. 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 law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction in the Town 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 services, 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 may be issued for the balance of time remaining on the solicitor's previous certificate before the amendment was filed. Before the new certificate is approved, the registered solicitor shall obtain a revised identification badge from the Town, after payment of the fee for the identification badge. In the event that the applicant has employees or agents working with or for the applicant, a separate application must be filed for each employee or agent. The license fee for each additional license shall be 25% of the license fee set forth by the Town Board.
That a debt of the applicant was nondischargeable in bankruptcy pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523 (a)(2), (4), (6) or (19).
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 the 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 § 35-3, 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.
An applicant or registered solicitor whose certificate has been denied or suspended shall have the right to appeal to the Town Board or its designee. Any appeal must be submitted by either the applicant, the responsible person or entity, or legal counsel for either who:
Documents the relationship with the applicant or responsible person or entity; or
Is licensed or authorized by the State of New York to do so, and makes the assertion of an agency relationship.
The following procedures and requirements shall apply:
Any appeal must be submitted in writing to the Town Clerk with a copy to the licensing 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 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 B(3) of this section, the 15 calendar days shall be extended to include the additional three days for rebuttal.
Disclosure of information to consumer.
A solicitor shall immediately disclose to the consumer during face-to-face solicitation:
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 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.
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.
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 his or her explicit consent;
The solicitor shall not continue repeated soliciting after a person and/or competent individual has communicated clearly and unequivocally his or her lack of interest in the subject, goods or services of the solicitor;
It shall be unlawful for any person, whether licensed or not, to solicit at a residence before 9:00 a.m. or after 7:00 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 the buyer's signature to a written statement which informs the buyer of the right to cancel within 10 business days after signing an agreement to purchase. Such notice of the 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 violation and upon conviction shall be punished by a minimum fine of $2,500 to a maximum fine of $5,000 in the first offense, a minimum fine of $5,000 to a maximum fine of $7,500 for a conviction for a second offense within two years of a prior conviction, and a minimum fine of $7,500 to a maximum fine of $10,000 for a conviction for a third offense within two years of a prior conviction, and/or a jail sentence of not to exceed 15 days. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense punishable based upon the foregoing.
Any police department with jurisdiction in the Town of Monroe and/or the Town Code Enforcement Officer or other enforcement official, as may be designated by the Town Board, 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, in his or her sole capacity or through an attorney at law, make, sign and file a complaint directly with a police department having jurisdiction, or with the Town Clerk, who shall forward the complaint to an appropriate authority for investigation.