No person shall throw, deposit or distribute any commercial or noncommercial handbill in or on private premises which are inhabited, except by handing or transmitting any such handbill directly to the owner, occupant, other person then present in or on such private premises. However, in case of inhabited private premises which are not posted, as provided in this part, such person, unless requested by anyone on such premises not to do so, may place or deposit any such handbill in or on such inhabited private premises if such handbill is so place or deposited as to secure or prevent such handbill from being blown or drifted about such premises or sidewalks, streets, or other public places, and except that mailboxes may not be so used when prohibited by federal postal law or regulations. (Prior code § 10-444)