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Title 4 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

Chapter 4.10 — SOLICITORS, PEDDLERS, PAWNBROKERS, SECONDHAND

Palo Alto Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-29 · Palo Alto

DEALERS, AND OTHER BUSINESSES REGULATED BY POLICE

4.10.060 Reserved.

4.10.280 Reserved.

  • For regulations concerning billiard and pool rooms, card rooms and bowling alleys, seeChapter 4.52 of this code.

4.10.010 Application to chief of police.

Applications for licenses described in this chapter shall be made to the chief of police and shall be sworn and in writing and shall be on a form designated by the Police Department.

(Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024; Ord. 1603 (part), 1955: prior code § 4.01)

4.10.020 Solicitor defined.

A "solicitor" is any person, whether a resident of the city or not, traveling either by foot, wagon, automobile, motor truck or any other type of conveyance, from place to place, from house to house, or from street to street, taking or attempting to take orders for sale of goods, wares and merchandise, personal property of any nature whatsoever, for future delivery, or for services, whether or not such individual has, carries or exposes for sale a sample of the subject of such sale or whether he is collecting advance payments on such sales or not.

(Ord. 1603 (part), 1955: prior code § 4.02A)

4.10.025 Peddler defined.

A "peddler" is a person, whether a resident of the city or not, traveling by foot, wagon, automotive vehicle or any other type of conveyance, from place to place, from house to house, or from street to street, carrying, conveying or transporting goods, wares, merchandise, fruits, garden truck, farm products or provisions, offering and exposing the same for sale, or making sales and delivering articles to purchasers. The word "peddler" includes the words "hawker" and "huckster."

(Ord. 3720 § 2, 1986: Ord. 1603 (part), 1955: prior code § 4.02B)

4.10.030 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.035 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.040 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.045 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.050 Solicitors and peddlers - regulations.

(a) No peddler or solicitor, nor any person in his behalf, shall shout, make an outcry, blow a horn, ring a bell or use any sound device or musical instrument, including any loud-speaking radio or sound-amplifying system, upon any of the streets, alleys, parks or other public places of the city or upon any private premises in the city where sound of sufficient volume is emitted or produced therefrom to be capable of being plainly heard upon the streets, avenues, alleys, parks or other public places, for the purpose of attracting attention to any goods, wares or merchandise which such licensee proposed to sell.

(b) No peddler or solicitor shall have any exclusive right to any location in the public streets, nor shall he be permitted a stationary location, nor shall he be permitted to operate in any congested area where his operations might impede or inconvenience the public. For the purpose of this title, the judgment of a police officer, exercised in good faith, shall be deemed conclusive as to whether the area is congested or the public impeded or inconvenienced.

(c) No person shall sell or offer for sale goods, wares or merchandise from vehicles upon any of the public streets of the city; provided, however, that the prohibition contained in this section does not include the peddling from door to door from vehicles of fresh food products of farm or garden, nor bona fide deliveries of goods, wares, merchandise or food made on a regular route to regular customers.

(d) No person shall solicit or peddle from six p.m. to nine a.m., or at any time when a sign has been posted on a building stating: “No solicitors or peddlers,” except that a solicitor or peddler may call upon the occupant of a residence at other times when he has received express prior permission from such occupant to do so.

(Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024; Ord. 4220 § 1, 1994: Ord. 4181 § 1, 1993: Ord. 3720 § 6, 1986: Ord. 3593 § 1, 1985: Ord. 2681 § 2, 1972: Ord. 2357, 1967: Ord. 1603 (part), 1955: prior code § 4.04)

4.10.051 Reserved.

  • Editor's Note: Former Section 4.10.051, pertaining to a limited exception to regulations regarding hours of solicitation, was originally adopted by Section 1 of Ordinance 3758. As adopted, the ordinance was set to expire August 13, 1988, and was formally repealed by § 9 of Ordinance 4453,

4.10.052 Reserved.

  • Editor's Note: Former Section 4.10.052, pertaining to regulations for peddlers at the World Cup Soccer Games containing portions of Ordinance Nos. 4181 and 4220 was repealed July 18, 1994 in accordance with Section 7 of Ordinance 4181 and Section 6 of Ordinance 4220.

4.10.055 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.057 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.058 Reserved.

  • Editor's Note: Former Section 4.10.058 pertaining to regulations for pushcart vendors at the World Cup Soccer Games, previously codified herein and containing portions of Ordinance Nos. 4181 and 4220 was repealed July 18, 1994 in accordance with Section 7 of Ordinance 4181 and Section 6 of Ordinance 4220.

4.10.060 Reserved.

4.10.070 Circuses, carnivals and traveling shows.

Every person conducting a circus, carnival, traveling show, rodeo, or any other like or similar exhibition or amusement shall obtain a special event permit and pay a fee as set forth in the municipal fee schedule.

(Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024; Ord. 2960 § 8, 1976: Ord. 1603 (part), 1955: prior code § 4.06)

4.10.080 Reserved.

4.10.090 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.100 Fee exemption under Business and Professions Code section 16001.

In order to claim a fee exemption as a veteran, as specified in Sections 16001 and 16001.5 of the Business and Professions Code of the state, or any license fee exemption required by state or federal law, the applicant shall file with the city an affidavit or a declaration under penalty of perjury, on the form provided by him, establishing the facts entitling the applicant to such fee exemption. The city may require proof of such facts. The denial of the application and any appeal from such denial shall be governed by the procedures in Chapter 4.04 of this title.

(Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024; Ord. 2754 § 4, 1973)

4.10.110 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.120 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.130 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.140 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.150 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.160 Reserved.

4.10.170 Reserved.

4.10.180 Reserved.

4.10.190 Reserved.

4.10.200 Pawnbrokers prohibited.

It is unlawful for anyone to carry on the business of pawnbroker within the city. For the purpose of this section, a pawnbroker shall have the same meaning as defined in California Financial Code section 21000.

(Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024; Ord. 3288 § 1 (part), 1981)

4.10.210 Secondhand dealer defined.

“Secondhand dealer” shall have the same meaning as defined in California Business and Professions Code section 21625et seq.

(Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024; Ord. 3288 § 1 (part), 1981)

4.10.220 Secondhand tangible personal property defined.

“Secondhand tangible personal property” shall have the same meaning as defined in California Business and Professions Code section 21625et seq.

(Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024; Ord. 3288 § 1 (part), 1981)

4.10.225 Secondhand dealer – license required.

A license is required to operate as a secondhand dealer. Applications must be made to the Chief of Police and are subject to all requirements in state and local law, including Business and Professions Code section 21625 et seq. and the provisions of this chapter. Any fee authorized by the Municipal Fee Schedule and/or state law must be paid prior to issuance of the license.

(Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.230 Secondhand dealers - regulations.

Secondhand dealers must follow all applicable laws, including Business and Professions Code section 21625et seq.

(Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024; Ord. 3288 § 1 (part), 1981)

4.10.240 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.250 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.260 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

4.10.270 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

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▸Contents — Palo Alto Municipal Code
Palo Alto Municipal Code
  1. Article VIII — A. Board of Education
  2. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  3. Title 2 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
  4. ▸Title 4 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
    Overview
    1. 4.04 General Provisions
    2. 4.10 Licenses Obtained by Application to Chief of Police
    3. 4.12 Sidewalk Vendors
    4. 4.18 License Obtained by Application to Poundmaster
    5. 4.30 Soliciting Funds
    6. 4.32 Soliciting Information for Commercial Purposes
    7. 4.34 Closing Out Sales
    8. 4.38 Reserved
    9. 4.39 Private Intrusion and Fire Alarms
    10. 4.42 Taxicabs and Other For-Hire Vehicles
    11. 4.46 Reserved
    12. 4.48 Reserved
    13. 4.51 Bingo Games
    14. 4.52 Billiard Rooms, Cardrooms and Bowling Alleys
    15. 4.54 Massage Establishments
    16. 4.55 Adult Entertainment Establishments
    17. 4.56 Hot Tub/Sauna Establishments
    18. 4.57 Firearms Dealers
    19. 4.58 Narcotics Paraphernalia Sale and Display
    20. 4.59 Pet Shops
    21. 4.60 Business Registration Program
    22. 4.62 Citywide Minimum Wage
    23. 4.64 Permits for Retailers of Tobacco Products
    24. Chapter 4.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    25. Chapter 4.10 — SOLICITORS, PEDDLERS, PAWNBROKERS, SECONDHAND
    26. Chapter 4.12 — SIDEWALK VENDORS
    27. Chapter 4.18 — LICENSE OBTAINED BY APPLICATION TO POUNDMASTER
    28. Chapter 4.30 — SOLICITING FUNDS
    29. Chapter 4.32 — SOLICITING INFORMATION FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES
    30. Chapter 4.34 — CLOSING OUT SALES
    31. Chapter 4.38 — RESERVED
    32. Chapter 4.39 — PRIVATE INTRUSION AND FIRE ALARMS
    33. Chapter 4.42 — TAXICABS AND OTHER FOR-HIRE VEHICLES
    34. Chapter 4.46 — RESERVED
    35. Chapter 4.48 — RESERVED
    36. Chapter 4.51 — BINGO GAMES
    37. Chapter 4.52 — BILLIARD ROOMS, CARDROOMS AND BOWLING ALLEYS
    38. Chapter 4.54 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
    39. Chapter 4.55 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
    40. Chapter 4.56 — HOT TUB/SAUNA ESTABLISHMENTS
    41. Chapter 4.57 — FIREARMS DEALERS
    42. Chapter 4.58 — NARCOTICS PARAPHERNALIA SALE AND DISPLAY
    43. Chapter 4.59 — PET SHOPS
    44. Chapter 4.64 — PERMITS FOR RETAILERS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS
  5. Title 5 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  6. Title 6 — ANIMALS
  7. Title 8 — TREES AND VEGETATION
  8. Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND SAFETY
  9. Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
  10. Title 11 — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PROCEDURE
  11. Title 12 — PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
  12. Title 13 — IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
  13. Title 15 — FIRE PREVENTION
  14. Title 16 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
  15. Title 17 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE
  16. Title 18 — ZONING
  17. Title 19 — MASTER PLAN
  18. Article 7 — AUTHORITY FOR AND SCOPE OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLANS.
  19. Article 8 — PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLAN.
  20. Chapter 19.06 — SPECIFIC PLANS
  21. Chapter 19.10 — COORDINATED AREA PLANS
  22. Title 20 — PRECISE PLANS
  23. Title 21 — SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER DIVISIONS OF LAND
  24. Title 22 — PARKS

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