Palo Alto Municipal Code Ch. 4.10 Solicitors, Peddlers, Pawnbrokers, Secondhand Dealers, and Other…

Sections:

* For regulations concerning billiard and pool rooms, card rooms and bowling alleys, see Chapter 4.52 of this code.

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)

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)

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)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(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)

* 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, 1997.

* 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.

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

* 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.

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)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

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)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

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)

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)

(Repealed by Ord. 5610 § 2 (part), 2024)