For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CANVASSER. A person who attempts to make personal contact with a person at that person’s residence, without prior specific invitation or appointment, for the primary purpose of attempting to solicit support for or against a particular religion, philosophy, ideology, political party, candidate, issue, or ballot question, even if incidental to such purpose the canvasser accepts the donation of money for or against such cause.
PEDDLER. A person who attempts to make personal contact with a person at that person’s residence, without specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of attempting to sell a good or service. A PEDDLER does not include a person who distributes handbills or flyers for a commercial purpose, advertising an event, activity, good, or service that is offered to the resident for purchase at a location away from the residence or at a time different from the time of visit. Such a person is a “solicitor.”
SOLICITOR. A person who attempts to make personal contact with a person at that person’s residence, without prior specific invitation or appointment from the resident, for the primary purpose of attempting to obtain a donation to a particular patriotic, philanthropic, social service, welfare, benevolent, educational, civic, fraternal, charitable, political, or religious purpose, even if incidental to such purpose there is the sale of some good or service.
(Prior Code, § 42-19)