An Overview Of Solicitor Regulations For Sherborn Residents

All residents are reminded that persons who solicit materials for sale within the Town of Sherborn must apply for and receive a permit from the Chief of Police, per Sherborn By-Law Chapter 13-Police Regulations, Section 2-Registration of solicitors.  Furthermore, solicitors MUST present a permit upon request from any resident or Police Officer. 

Magazine solicitors have recently reported to the Police Department and requested solicitor permits. We have issued permits per our Town By-Law, however, we have denied permits for several persons because of their criminal history. We encourage all residents to notify the Police Department should you have any concerns about solicitors who enter your property. We strongly encourage residents to request to view required permits and call the Police Department immediately if solicitors refuse or fail to produce a permit.

This By-Law shall not apply to any person engaged in the spreading of information concerning any religion or religious viewpoints, even though the sale of books, pamphlets or magazines may be involved therein. Nor shall it be construed so as to interfere with any person in his constitutional right to freedom of expression of opinion either by means of speech or of written or printed matter.

Here is the town by-law as follows:

Town By-Law Chapter 13 Section 2 Police Regulations
Section 2. Registration of Solicitors (Amended 1973)

a) It shall be unlawful for any person either as a principal, or as agent for any other person to go in or upon any premises occupied for residential purposes within the Town for the purpose of soliciting or canvassing from any occupant thereof orders for goods, wares, merchandise or services, or for the purpose of offering to give or furnish any article or service in order to obtain such order without first having applied for and received from the Chief of Police a solicitor's permit to do so