As used in this chapter:
(a) “Canvassing, canvassers and canvass”mean: the house-to-house distribution of ideas, pamphlets, literature, and the like; the collection of signatures or support for any purpose or cause; requesting contributions when such requests are made in conjunction with the house-to- house distribution of ideas, pamphlets, literature, or the collection of signatures or support for any purpose or cause. This definition includes both “contact canvassers” and “non-contact canvassers” as defined in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) below. This definition does not include the commercial activities of solicitation, peddling, or vending, as those terms are defined in this section.
(1) “Contact canvassers” and “contact canvassing” mean those persons who canvass, as defined above through in person, fact-to-face contact, verbal or otherwise, with individual residents.
(2) “Non-contact canvassers” and “non-contact canvassing” mean those persons who canvass, as defined above, without attempting in person, face-to-face contact with individual residents, such as the distribution of leaflets and/or pamphlets by leaving them at a place of residence.
(b) “Charitable” means and includes the words patriotic, philanthropic, social service, welfare, benevolent, educational, humane, scientific, public health, environmental conservation, civic, fraternal or any agency created for the purpose of supporting health research or health measures, either actual or purported. This definition does not include youth fundraising, as that term is defined in this section.
(c) “Chief of Police” means the Springboro Police Chief or his or her designee.
(d) “City Manager” means the Springboro City Manager or his or her designee.
(e) “Contribution” means the gift, sale for less than market value or purchase for more than market value of alms, food, clothing, money or property, including donations under the guise of a loan of money or property or the rental thereof for any charitable, religious or political use or purpose.
(f) “License.” A license to solicit, peddle, vend under this chapter.
(g) “Peddler” means an itinerant solicitant/trader who sells wares which he or she may carry with him or her traveling about from place to place.
(h) “Person” means any individual, firm, co-partnership, corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, company, association, joint stock association, church, religious sect, religious denomination, society, organization or league, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, agent or other similar representative thereof.
(i) “Political” and “political organization” shall not mean or include the term “charitable.” Such terms shall be given their commonly accepted definitions. It is not necessary that a person be a candidate for an office or in support of another person as a candidate to be included within the definition of “political” or “political organization.”
(j) “Religious” and “religion” shall not mean and include the term “charitable.” Such terms shall be given their commonly accepted definitions.
(k) “Solicit” and “Solicitation” mean the method by which a peddler or vendor conveys his/her wares; or the request, either directly or indirectly, for money, credit, property, financial assistance, or other thing of value on the plea or representation that which is being solicited will be used for a charitable, political, or religious purpose.
(l) “Specified criminal act” means a felony or misdemeanor involving force, violence, fraud, theft, or sexual oriented offense crimes, sexual abuse, rape, gross sexual imposition. These crimes must include the element of knowledge to constitute a “specified criminal act” on the part of the accused, for which:
(1) Less than two years have elapsed since the date of conviction, the date of completion of probation, or the date of release from confinement, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a misdemeanor offense for the “specified criminal acts”;
(2) Less than five years have elapsed since the date of conviction, the date of completion of probation, parole or community control, or the date of release from confinement, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a felony offense, for the “specified criminal acts”;
(3) Less than five years have elapsed since the date of conviction, that date of completion of probation, parole or community control, or the date of release from confinement, whichever is the later date, if the convictions are of two or more misdemeanor offenses arising out of different incidents for “specified criminal acts” offenses occurring within any 24-month period.
The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect on disqualification of the applicant. An applicant who has been convicted of the above-described “specified criminal acts” may qualify for a license only when the time period required above has elapsed.
(m) “Vendor” means a person who transfers property by door-to-door sale.
(n) “Youth fundraiser” and “youth fundraising” means fundraising for:
(1) A K-12 school or school- related activity, or
(2) A youth organization such as an athletic club, Boy/Girl Scout troop, and the like, when such activity is undertaken by a person, age 18 or under, who resides in this City. “Youth fundraising activity”, as contemplated by this definition, typically includes, but is not limited to, the sale of fundraising products such as popcorn, wrapping paper, candy, fruit or plants.
(Ord. O-22-6. Passed 4-7-22.)