Whenever used in this chapter, the following words shall be as herein defined unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
(a) “Canvassing” or “canvasser” or “solicitation” or “solicitor” includes any person who calls at residences or places of business without the invitation or previous consent of the owner(s) or occupant(s) of such premises for the purpose of any one or more of the following activities:
(1) Seeking to obtain orders for the purchase of goods, wares, merchandise, foodstuffs or services of any kind, character or description whatever, for either present or future delivery; or
(2) Seeking to obtain prospective customers for application or purchase of insurance of any type, kind or character; or
(3) Seeking to obtain subscriptions to books, magazines, periodicals, newspapers and every other type or kind of publication; or
(4) Seeking to obtain contributions or to sell any goods, articles or services of any kind for the support or benefit of any charitable, religious or nonprofit association, organization, corporation or project; or
(5) Seeking to obtain from an occupant of any residence an indication of such occupant’s belief in regard to any social, political or religious matter; or
(6) Seeking to influence the personal belief of the occupant of any residence in regard to any social, political or religious matter; or
(7) Taking of a poll or census by any person, firm or corporation other than a governmental body or agency thereof.
(b) “Canvasser for charitable or religious purposes” means any person who calls at residences or places of business without the invitation or previous consent of the owner(s) or occupant(s) of such premises for the purpose of soliciting or receiving contributions or pledges for charitable or religious purposes, or to offer or attempt to sell, or request a donation for, any advertisement, advertising space, book, card, change, coupon, device, magazine, merchandise, ticket, token, flag, souvenir, foodstuff, service or any other article or thing in connection with which any appeal is made for any charitable or religious purpose, or when or where in connection with any such sale, donation or contribution, any statement is made that the whole or any part of the proceeds of any such sale will go to or be donated to any charitable or religious purpose.
(c) “Charitable” includes the words patriotic, philanthropic, social service, welfare, eleemosynary, benevolent, educational, civic, fraternal, veteran’s, medical and social research, either actual or purported.
(d) “Contribution” includes the words gift, food, clothing, money, property or donations of any kind, including those made under the guise of a loan of money or property.
(e) “Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock company, church, religious sect, religious denomiation, society, organization or league, or any combination of them, and includes any trustee, member, receiver, assignee, agent or other representative thereof.
(f) “Religious” and “religion” as used herein shall not include the word charitable, but shall be given their commonly accepted definitions.
(g) “Religious organization” means any church, body of communicants or group that is not organized or operated for profit that gathers in common membership for regular worship and religious observances.
(h) “Residence” means every separate living unit occupied for residential purposes by one or more persons, contained within any type of building or structure.
(Ord. 1993-53. Passed 10-14-93.)