Solicitors

Who Is A Solicitor?

A "solicitor" is defined by City Code as a canvasser, peddler, salesman or any other person, either as principal or agent, whether a resident of the City or not, traveling from house to house, or to any other place in the City, soliciting, taking or attempting to take orders for the sale of goods, wares, merchandise or personal property of any nature whatsoever for future delivery, or for services to be furnished or performed in the future, whether or not such individual has, carries, or exposes for sale a sample of the subject of the sale, or he or she is collecting advance payments on such sales or not; provided, that such definition shall include any person, who for himself or another, hires, leases, uses or occupies any building, structure, tent, vehicle, hotel room, apartment, shop or any other place within the City for the sole purpose of exhibiting samples and taking orders for future delivery.

Who Is NOT A Solicitor?

Any person meeting the above definition that solicits on behalf of any civic, charitable, and/or nonprofit group shall not be defined as a solicitor nor be required to obtain a license for the same.

License:

It is unlawful to solicit within the city limits without a valid license. Applicants for a solicitor's license under the City Code chapter referenced below must file with the City Clerk a sworn application, in duplicate, on a form to be furnished by the City Clerk.  The Mayor is empowered to approve such application and to grant such license upon satisfying himself of the moral fitness of the applicant to receive such license. Below is a list of solicitors that currently possess a license to solicit in the City of Lincoln.

Reporting A Solicitor:

If a solicitor comes to your door that is unable to provide a valid solicitors license upon request, or you feel may be in violation of City Code, please call the Lincoln Police Department Non-Emergency number at 217-732-2151.

Hours: 

Solicitors shall only operate within the City of Lincoln between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Reference:

City Code, Chapter 3-10: Solicitors