Know Your Rights: Canvassing

Talk to an attorney if you encounter:

• An ordinance that requires a permit for non-commercial (canvassing) activities;
• An ordinance that requires a background check, photographing and/or fingerprinting by a state agency, or “good moral character” to canvass;
• An ordinance that requires you to identify yourself on demand to any public official or resident while canvassing;
• An ordinance that requires advance or written notice of intent to canvass;
• An ordinance that prohibits canvassing in the early evening (earlier than 9:00 PM);
• An ordinance that treats commercial solicitation and non-commercial canvassing as synonymous for purposes of the ordinance.
• Any local law enforcement officer telling you that the ordinance requires any of the above