Politics & Government
L. Saucon Council Approves Stricter Rules for Peddlers
Under a new ordinance, Lower Saucon Township residents will be able to add their names to a police department-maintained registry if they no longer wish to receive salespeople at their homes.
At the recommendation of the township's police department, Lower Saucon Township Council unanimously adopted a new, stricter ordinance that regulates peddling and soliciting activities.
Under the new ordinance -- adopted at a meeting earlier this month -- door-to-door salespeople will need to obtain permits from the police department and submit to criminal history checks.
The hours when selling door-to-door is allowed have also been reduced from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Another major change that's been instituted is a registry whereby residents can opt out of receiving peddlers at their homes.
The registry will be maintained by the police department, and "if [sellers] make any contact with a property owner that’s on the list, that’s grounds to revoke their permit," council solicitor Linc Treadwell said at the meeting.
Treadwell clarified that Girl Scouts and nonprofit groups won't need to obtain permits in order to go door-to-door.
"I don't think they do now," he said.
It will also be required that the permit each peddler receives from township police be carried with them at all times.
"The police department’s intent was to try and make it safer," Treadwell said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
