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FAQ Are door to door peddling, solicitation and sales allowed in the City of Novi? Yes, door to door peddling, solicitation and sales are allowed in the City of Novi. In most cases a permit is required from the City Clerk’s office. The exceptions include a minor engaged in solicitation or peddling for civic, philanthropic, religious, educational or athletic purposes (i.e. Girl Scout cookies, etc.) Is door to door distribution of commercial handbills allowed in the City of Novi? Yes, distribution of commercial handbills is allowed although it is unlawful to throw or scatter handbills in a public place or to distribute handbills in such a way that they end up blowing around causing litter. Can my neighborhood post signage at the street entrances to prevent peddlers and distribution of handbills? No, posting signs forbidding peddling, solicitation and distribution of handbills at the entrance to a neighborhood made up of multiple properties would not be enforceable. Signs may not be posted in rights of way or on public street signs, for example. May I place a sign on the door of my home if I do not want peddlers knocking on the door and/or handbills left at my residence? Yes, Solicitors and peddlers are not allowed to enter into property displaying as sign of at least sixteen (16) square inches mounted in a conspicuous and prominent location with wording equivalent to “No Solicitation,” “No Trespassing,” “No Peddlers or Agents,” or “No Advertisements.” Ideally, this signage would be visible from the public Right of Way. Who should I call if someone knocks on my front door in violation of a No Soliciting sign? Suggest pointing out the “No Solicitation” or other appropriate signage and politely request the person leave your property. If the individual chooses not to cooperate please contact the Novi Police Department at (248) 348-7100. Where can I find copies of the Novi City Ordinance? The City Code of Ordinances is available online. The provisions are located in Chapter 26 with the recent amendments in Ordinance 11-40.07 located at the top of the page immediately after opening the Code of Ordinance window.

(Please note that the Soliciting Ordinance is administered by the Police Department, not Community Development. Please call 248-348-7100 for questions related to this ordinance.)

Sec. 26-10. Hours of peddling/solicitation; additional requirements.

(1a) No peddling or solicitation may be conducted after 9:00pm or dusk (whichever is earlier) or before 9:00am, prevailing time.

(2b) No person under the age of fourteen (14) shall solicit after 7:00pm, prevailing time, unless accompanied by an adult. No minor shall engage in solicitation while remaining in a fixed or limited area within a public right-of-way, including a street corner or intersection.

Sec. 26-11. Distribution of commercial handbills.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit, place, throw, scatter, or cast any commercial handbill in or upon any public place within the City.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute, deposit, place, throw, scatter, or cast any commercial handbill upon any premises if requested by anyone thereon not to do so or if there is placed on the premises in a conspicuous position (near the entrance and, where feasible, visible from the public right-of-way), a legible and conspicuous notice of at least sixteen (16) square inches in area bearing the words: "No Trespassing," "No Peddlers or Agents," "No Advertisements," "No Handbills," or any similar notice, indicating in any manner that the occupants of the premises do not desire to have their privacy disturbed or to have any such handbills left upon such premises.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute any handbill in or upon any property unless the handbill is properly placed, secured, or deposited such that it will not be blown or drifted about the property or elsewhere, eliminating the hazards of randomly scattered litter. No handbill shall be secured in such a manner that will prevent a door or gate from properly closing, latching, or locking.

(d) No commercial handbills may be distributed after 9:00pm or dusk (whichever is earlier) or before 9:00 a.m., prevailing time. No person under the age of fourteen (14) shall distribute commercial handbills after 7:00pm, prevailing time, unless accompanied by an adult.

(e) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:

(1) Distribution of a handbill to any person who is willing to accept the same;

(2) Distribution of a handbill for which consideration has been paid by the person receiving such handbill; or

(3) Distribution of a handbill made by a duly-authorized public official or employee of or contractor acting with the authority of a governmental agency.

(f) There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any person whose message is displayed on the handbill, or who benefits from the message displayed on the handbill is the party responsible for the distribution.