"I have received word that the neighborhoods in the First District have been seeing an increase in door to door solicitation. Although it is not a crime to go door to door and solicit, the solicitors are required by county code to have a permit to solicit.

All permits must be renewed in the month of May and they are valid for one year from the date of issue. The actual “Vendors Permit” is on green paper and is the size of a permit is 4 inches by 6 inches, and it is laminated. The permit also has a photograph of the person in possession of the permit and a permit number beginning with the letter “V”. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor for anybody not in possession of a permit.

If you should have a vendor/solicitor come to your door you should request to see their venders permit. If they do not have one then they may be violating the law and you should call the police non-emergence telephone number (703-558-2222) and report it.

You should never let anyone into your home or get them a cold beverage/drink, leaving them alone in your home or even outside your front door, because you may become a victim of a crime. I have attached the county ordinance concerning this below for your review. If you should have any question on this please feel free to contact Detective Frank Malara, Licensing Unit, at 703-228-4255."

§ 30-1. Permit required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of peddler, vendor or canvasser as defined in this chapter, within the limits of Arlington County, Virginia, without first obtaining a permit as provided herein.

§ 30-2. Definitions.
(a) Peddler is one who moves from place to place within the county and offers merchandise, goods, food or services for sale or barter.

(b) Vendor is one who offers merchandise, goods, food or services for sale or barter from a stationary but temporary site within the county. "Vending" is the act of offering merchandise, goods, food or services for sale or barter from a stationary but temporary site within the county.

(c) Canvasser is one who travels from place to place seeking orders for merchandise, goods, food or services with or without samples by traveling from place to place within the county.

(d) County shall mean Arlington County, Virginia.

(e) County manager shall mean the county manager of Arlington County, Virginia or a duly authorized agent of the county manager.

(f) Vehicle shall mean every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn including any wheeled conveyance.

(g) Service road (frontage road) is a roadway contiguous to and generally paralleling a street or highway designed to collect and distribute traffic desiring to cross, enter, or leave such street or highway, and to furnish access to property which would otherwise be isolated due to the controlled access design of the street or highway.

§ 30-2.1. Exemption from permit requirements.
(a) The following shall be exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter:

(1) Persons selling fresh farm products;

(2) Persons selling newspapers;

(3) Persons selling for wholesale concerns who only solicit orders from or sell to retail dealers in Arlington County for resale or other commercial purposes or to manufacturers for manufacturing or other commercial purposes; and

(4) Peddlers or vendors of religious, political or written materials.

(b) All persons qualifying for exemptions from this section must present proof of such qualification and be granted exemption from the permit requirements of this chapter as provided in section 30-3(b). Such persons shall not be exempt from the provisions of sections 30-7 through 30-11 of this chapter.

§ 30-11. Door-to-door sales hours.

Door-to-door sales or canvassing shall only take place between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

§ 30-12. Exhibition of permit or exemption letter.

Peddlers, vendors, or canvassers are required to conspicuously display their permits at their vehicles or temporary stands or if they have none, to exhibit their permits or exemption letter upon request.

§ 30-16. Penalty for violation of chapter.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

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