LCSO Reminds Residents of County Ordinances Regarding Peddlers and Solicitors
Loudoun County- The warmer weather brings an increase in door-to-door solicitors to our area. While some door-to-door salespersons are honest, the chance does exist that you may be taken advantage of if you are not cautious and informed.
All solicitors that operate inside the county are required to register with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office per County Ordinance 828.04, except any person that is affiliated with non-profit organization registered in Virginia, places of worship, and community services. As part of this registration, a background check is completed and information on their employer is obtained. Through this process, anyone approved to solicit is issued an identification card showing they are a registered solicitor. All solicitors are required, upon request, to provide their identification card to any person they are contacting as a solicitor. This identification card shall contain the following information:
(1) The permit number;
(2) The name and address of the applicant;
(3) The date the permit was issued and the date of expiration;
(4) The name and address of the employer or principal;
(5) A physical description (height, weight, color of hair and eyes, complexion) and the date of birth of the applicant and the presence and location of marks and scars on the applicant;
(6) The signature of the County Sheriff; and
(7) A brief description of the nature of the business and the goods to be sold.
In addition to registering, all solicitors must uphold a code of conduct (County Ordinance 828.08). If a solicitor is found in violation of this code, their privileges will be revoked and they will not be authorized to solicit within Loudoun County for a period of one year.
Solicitation hours in the county are weekday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Soliciting is not permitted on Sunday’s or state or national holidays. Solicitors must leave when asked by the property owner. Solicitors must conduct themselves in a lawful and orderly manner and must identify themselves and their purpose of being on the property.
The Peddlers and Solicitor Ordinance can be viewed at: http://tinyurl.com/ht6kodm. Any person who witnesses a violation of this code of conduct or encounters a solicitor who refuses to provide their county issued solicitor permit, or does not have a permit should contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office by calling the 24-hour non-emergency number at 703-777-1021.