It has been a common belief that the Town of Moraga has a permit requirement policy for peddlers and solicitors. But Chief of Police Robert Priebe could not find such a policy in the Municipal Code or elsewhere. On Jan. 9, he presented to the Council a text that defines the conditions under which individuals can engage in business transactions door-to-door. Priebe's proposal includes a background check and payment of a fee for a one-year permit. Political campaigning (freedom of expression) and solicitors under age 15 are exempt. The council is expected to give final approval of the new regulation in a few weeks.
"We continue to receive complaints from residents about aggressive and sometimes scary individuals who go door-to-door selling their products," said Priebe. "Usually the complaints are about people coming from out of town, sometimes out-of-state." The new regulation states that it is unlawful to peddle or solicit without a permit. The permit is granted, or refused, by the police department after review of the information provided by the applicant, including any criminal record.
"If someone does not want anybody to come to their front door to sell something, they can display a 'no soliciting' sign," added the chief. "Even with a permit, solicitors will not be authorized to engage the owners of that house."
Council members asked the amount of the fee to get a permit, but Priebe said he didn't know yet. He added that anyone peddling or soliciting in Moraga would have to present the permit and an identity card to homeowners or police officers asking for it.
"What will happen if you catch someone without permit?" asked Council Member Roger Wykle. "We will issue a citation," replied Priebe. The penalty is $100 per person, but according to the chief the most likely outcome is that they will simply not come back to Moraga.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA