(A) Prohibited acts. It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit:
(1) On private property where "No Soliciting" or "No Trespassing" signs are posted;
(2) Without acquiring the appropriate permit from the Town of Stallings.
(B) Exceptions. Organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status, including but not limited to the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, recognized organized religious organizations and political candidates, shall be exempted from the requirement to obtain a permit.
(C) Permit requirements. Any organization seeking issuance of a permit to engage in business as a solicitor within the town limits shall be required to have each individual engaging in soliciting on its behalf make written application to the Town of Stallings, which application shall show and contain the following:
(1) The name and address of the individual filing the application;
(2) The name and address of the principal or employer if the applicant is an agent or employee;
(3) A complete physical description of the applicant including height, weight, sex, race, date of birth and any distinguishing characteristics;
(4) A description of the goods or services to be sold or offered;
(5) A statement as to whether the applicant intends to receive payment or deposit for goods or services to be delivered or rendered in the future;
(6) The inclusive dates which the applicant will carry on business within the town;
(7) A statement as to which days of the week the applicant intends to conduct business;
(8) A complete description of the vehicle or method of transportation the applicant intends to use for business purposes while in the town;
(9) A statement as to whether the applicant, his principal or employer or other person having management or supervisory function in the applicant's business, has been convicted of a criminal offense and, if so, the name of the person convicted, the nature of the offense, the punishment assessed and when and where the offense occurred;
(10) Each person filing application for issuance of a permit to solicit in the town hall shall present a driver's license or an approved state-issued identification card with photograph at the time of filing the application.
(D) Permit fee/privilege license fee. Before any permit shall be issued under the provisions of this chapter, the applicant shall pay the following: An application fee in the amount of $150 per organization to the town to cover processing and enforcement cost.
(E) Issuance of permit.
(1) The town shall issue a permit to the applicant within five working days of filing the application if it is determined that the applicant has complied with the provisions of this chapter and proposes to engage in a lawful commercial or professional enterprise.
(2) The permit will be a letter on Town of Stallings letterhead signed by the Town Clerk or their designee. The applicant, agent or employee must carry a copy of said letter along with an approved state identification card with a photograph at all times while engaged in business. The employee or agent's name must appear on the initial application and will be included on the letter.
(F) Denial or revocation of permit.
(1) Any applicant denied will be mailed a letter within five working days after making application, stating the reason for denial. Denial will be made if it is determined that provisions of this chapter have not been met or the applicant does not propose to engage in a lawful commercial or professional enterprise. Conviction or criminal offenses by the applicant or principals in the business which indicate a propensity for violence, theft, fraud or similar offenses may be cause for denial of a permit.
(2) The Town of Stallings may revoke a permit issued under this chapter when there is a reasonable factual basis that doing so would be in the best interest of the health, safety, welfare or morals of the public. A letter shall be mailed to the address listed for the applicant on the application notifying them of the reason for revocation.
(G) Terms of permit. A permit shall be issued for the period requested in the application, provided however no permit shall be issued for a period exceeding 12 calendar months. Upon expiration of the permit, the applicant may apply for a new permit. If approved, a new permit may be issued for an additional term not to exceed 12 calendar months.
(H) Transfer of permit. A permit issued under this chapter is not transferable.
(Ord. passed 5-12-2014; Am. Ord. passed 5-27-2014; Am. Ord. passed 7-14-2014)