CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WATERFORD ORDINANCE EXCERPT

ARTICLE VII.      PEDDLERS, SOLICITORS AND CANVASSERS

Division 1.             General

Sec. 10-482.         Definitions.

In addition to those rules of construction and definitions contained in Section 1-002, the following definitions shall apply to this Article:

Canvass and canvassing means to enter upon private property, without any prior specific invitation or appointment, to inform, educate, advocate, petition, secure petition signatures,  request or enlist support or opposition, or to convey any other message regarding religion, philosophy, ideology, politics, including parties, candidates, initiatives and issues, charitable organizations, or other cause or issue, by verbal, written, or other forms of communication, including the distribution of handbills, flyers, or other materials. 

Canvasser  means a person that engaged in canvassing in the Township without requesting or accepting the payment, delivery, donation, pledge, or commitment of money, credit, financial assistance, membership, property, goods, services, or other thing of value, and without selling or attempting to sell any property, ticket, emblem, publication, advertisement, subscription, membership, or other thing, whether of value or not.     

Charitable purpose means a charitable, benevolent, educational, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, veterans support, religious, youth, fraternal, social, civic, conservation, recreational, or other non-profit objective of a charitable or religious organization, or political organization. Charitable purpose does not include political campaign fundraising or non-profit objectives of an individual. 

Charitable, religious or political organization means a charitable, religious, political, benevolent, educational, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, fraternal, social, or civic organization that is recognized as non-profit and/or tax exempt under applicable State or Federal laws.

Solicit and soliciting means a direct or indirect request by or on behalf of a charitable, religious, or political organization to any person in the Township for the payment, delivery, donation, pledge, or commitment of money, credit, financial assistance, membership, property, goods, services, or other thing of value, on the plea or representation what is requested will be used for charitable purposes of the charitable, religious or political organization, and includes sales and sales offers of any property, ticket, emblem, publication, advertisement, subscription, membership, or other thing, whether of value or not, on the pleas or representation that the proceeds of the sale will be used for charitable purposes of the charitable, religious, or political organization. 

Solicitor means a person engaged in soliciting in the Township. 

Sec. 10-483.         Canvasser, solicitor and peddler requirements.

 (c)      All canvassers, solicitors and peddlers shall comply with the general regulations in Division 2.

Division 2.             General Regulations for Canvassers, Solicitors and Peddlers

Sec. 10-490.         Hours for Canvassing, Soliciting or Peddling.

No canvassing, soliciting, or peddling shall take place in the Township after 8:00 p.m. or the official time of sunset, whichever is earlier, or before 9:00 a.m., prevailing time. 

Sec. 10-491.         Posted Property; Access to Premises Restricted.

(a)   No canvasser, peddler or solicitor shall enter into or upon any private property that has posted a "no peddling," "no canvassing," "no soliciting" or "no trespassing" sign, or similar notice, in accordance with subsection (c), below. 

(b)  No canvasser, peddler or solicitor shall engage in canvassing, peddling or soliciting in any residential subdivision, condominium, or other residential neighborhood or development that has a privately posted "no peddling," "no canvassing," "no soliciting" or "no trespassing" sign, or similar notice at each entrance to the subdivision, condominium or other neighborhood, in accordance with subsection (c), below. 

(c)  A sign posted under subsection (a), above, must be a weatherproof sign measuring a minimum of three (3) inches by four (4) inches, the letters must be at least one-third (1/3) inch in height, and the sign must be exhibited upon or near a main entrance door to the main structure, building or residence on the property. A sign posted under subsection (b), above, must be a weatherproof sign measuring a minimum of two (2) square feet, the letters must be at least two (2) inches in height, and the sign must be exhibited in a location visible to the drivers of vehicles at each entrance to the subdivision, condominium or other neighborhood. A sign posted under subsection (b), above, must comply with all otherwise applicable requirements of this code and Township standards, including, without limitation, the requirement to obtain a permit if the sign is to be located within a public right-of-way. 

Sec. 10-492.         Request to Leave.

No canvasser, peddler or solicitor shall remain on private property after having been asked or directed to leave the premises by any person lawfully in possession of the premises. 

#BBD0E0 »

Nominating Petitions Signature Requirements:

• Partisan Petition Requirements: 100-200
• Non Partisan Petition Requirements: 200-400
• Qualifying Petition Requirements: 300-600
• Signatures which are dated more than 180 days prior to the date of filing are invalid.

Filing Fee:

Candidates seeking the office of Township Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustee may file a refundable $100.00 fee in lieu of nominating petitions.  The filing fee is refunded if the candidate receives nomination to the office or places second in the race.