El Cerrito Municipal Code Ch. 6.75 Charitable Solicitation

It is unlawful for any person to engage in charitable solicitation without first obtaining a valid permit as provided for in this chapter.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

Every person who intends to engage in charitable solicitation must apply for a permit from the police chief prior to the commencement of solicitation activities. The permit application shall set forth the following information:

A. The applicant's full name, permanent home address, full local address, telephone number, date of birth, driver license number and state of issue, or State Department of Motor Vehicles identification card number;

B. The name and address of the entity for whom the applicant will be soliciting, and evidence, where appropriate, of tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, and/or the State Board of Equalization;

C. The name and telephone number of an individual at the entity for which the applicant is soliciting who has the authority to verify that the applicant is authorized by the entity to solicit on its behalf;

D. The dates and times during which the applicant will be soliciting;

E. The area within the city in which the applicant will be soliciting.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

A. The police chief shall issue a permit to each applicant who has completed a permit application.

B. The permit shall state the name of the charitable solicitor, the entity for whom the solicitation is undertaken, and the areas and dates during which the solicitation will occur. The permit shall also contain a statement that the city, in granting the permit, does not endorse the activities of the solicitor or of the entity for whom the solicitation is undertaken.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

Permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall not be assigned or transferred, nor shall they be used by any person other than the person to whom they were issued. Any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge or mortgage the permit, or to attach or execute on it, shall lead to the immediate seizure of the permit by the police chief.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

The permit shall be in the possession of the permit holder at all times when soliciting. Upon the request of any person being solicited, or upon the demand of any police officer of the city, the permit holder shall exhibit the permit.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

A permit shall be valid for a period of not more than two months from the date the permit is issued by the police chief.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

If, during the term of the permit, there is a change in any of the information provided in the permit application, the permit holder shall immediately notify the police chief of such change.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

It is unlawful for any person engaging in charitable solicitation activities to ring the bell or knock at any building whereupon there is painted, affixed or otherwise displayed to the public view any sign containing any or all of the following words: "No Peddlers," "No Solicitors" or "No Agents," or which otherwise purports to prohibit soliciting on the premises.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

When the solicitation will be done by residents of the city without any financial or other recompense, the organizer may apply for multiple permits. The application shall list the names of all of those participating in the solicitation along with the identifying information about each such person as required by Section 6.75.020A of this chapter. The application shall also include all of the other information required by Section 6.75.020. Each of the charitable solicitors shall be provided with a copy of the organizer's permit.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

It is unlawful for any person to solicit before the hour of eight a.m. on any day, or after sunset, but in no event after the hour of eight p.m.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

It is unlawful for any charitable solicitor to represent by words, writing, action or counterfeit permit that he or she is properly conducting a charitable solicitation in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or is a partner, agent, employee or representative of any charitable entity, when in fact he or she is not.

(Ord. 92-14 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)