What To Know About Solicitors In Marple Township

MARPLE TOWNSHIP, PA — Police in Marple Township are clearing the air about solicitors in the township after reporting an increase in applications for solicitation this year.

Police said while the current laws prohibit denying solicitation applications without cause, the township does have ordinances regulating soliciting, which can lead to citations if violated.

Residents who believe they see, or are the subject of, a solicitor not abiding by the ordinance, are asked to call 911.

Officers will show up, investigate, attempt to find the person or people soliciting, verify their status, and cite them if warranted.

Below are details on local soliciting:

Solicitors Permits and Do Not Solicit

Any person desiring to engage in soliciting or peddling in the Township shall submit in person a written application to the Marple Township Police Department on a form furnished by the Police Department, together with a copy of the applicant's criminal history.

Door to Door Solicitors

When completing the application, the applicant must provide their current name, address, and phone number. They must also provide the name, address, and phone number of the person, organization, or company they represent. Applicants for a Solicitor Permit must also include information regarding the services or merchandise that is being advertised or offered. If the applicant will be using a vehicle while soliciting in the Township, they must provide the make, model, and license plate of each vehicle they use. Each applicant must provide a criminal history report obtained from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The report must be no more than 90 days old when the applicant submits the application. The Marple Township Police Department will not issue a Solicitor Permit to any applicant who has either been convicted of any felony, been convicted of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or served a sentence or period of probation for any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude within ten years of the application date. Soliciting is permitted only during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. While actively soliciting in the Township, solicitors shall carry the issued license at all times and show it, upon request, to any police officer or Township official or to any person that he may speak to while actively soliciting.

Do Not Solicit List

It is considered a nuisance and unlawful for any person, company, corporation, or organization to approach a private residence or business at any time of the day or night while soliciting if the owner or occupant of the residence or business has posted a "No Trespassing" sign or a "No Soliciting" sign. Solicitors are also prohibited from contacting the owner of any business or residence on the Township's "Do Not Solicit" list, which shall be maintained by the Marple Township Police Department. A copy of the “Do Not Solicit List” will be provided to the applicant at the time of issuance of a Solicitor Permit. An address can be added to the Do Not Solicit list by filling out an online registration form online here.

More information regarding the Marple Township Ordinance, Peddlers and Solicitors is available online here.