Spring, and solicitation, is in the air

WAITSBURG—Spring has sprung, and daffodils aren’t the only things popping up around town. Last week, a couple of Waitsburg residents posted on social media, warning of solicitors going around town selling air purification products.

According to the Waitsburg Municipal Code, solicitors are defined as: ‘Any person who goes from house to house or place to place in the City of Waitsburg selling or taking orders for or offering to sell or take orders for, goods, wares or merchandise, for present or future delivery, or for the making, manufacturing or repairing of any article or thing whatsoever, for present or future delivery, except those selling to merchants for resale.’

Simply put, if you are selling something, taking orders for future delivery, or offering repairs, you’re considered a solicitor and must conduct business as such.

The City of Waitsburg has strict rules surrounding solicitation. Licenses and permits are required in order to sell goods and/or take orders in residential areas within the city’s boundaries. Failure to obtain proper permits or licenses may result in a fine of no less than $10, and no more than $100, per offense. The exception to the license and/or permit rule is solicitors who stick to the Main Street business corridor, selling to businesses.

Licenses may be revoked if the solicitor or company which they represent violates any city, state, or federal ordinances. Waitsburg City Council has the authority to revoke licenses if solicitors no longer meet character expectations or required qualifications.

Luckily, the license application process is fairly simple. The application collects the name and address of both the individual solicitor(s), the name and address of the company that the solicitor represents or is employed by, the length of employment or service, the place and nature of each solicitor with the employer, nature of goods/services, and descriptions of each solicitor. The applications go as far as requesting credentials and other evidence that can attest to good moral character and the identity of each solicitor. This helps protect the people of Waitsburg, as well as well-meaning salesmen.

One exemption to Waitsburg’s solicitation ordinances pertains to homegrown products, like vegetables and fruits, eggs, butter, and milk. Products must be raised and produced by the seller to fall in this designation.

Waitsburg City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said that solicitor permits are rarely issued, adding that he is aware that many residents are uncomfortable with door-to-door salesmen. If solicitors knock on your front door and do not have the proper permits or licenses, Hinchliffe said he encourages residents to report the activity at City Hall, as well as to the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office.