Agenda - 02-01-2011 - 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 1, 2011 Action Agenda Item No. -] - b _SUBJECT: Peddlers and Solicitors Ordinance of Oran a County DEPARTMENT: Administration PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Ordinance Defining and Regulating Peddlers and Solicitors-Draft INFORMATION CONTACT: Name, Phone Number John Roberts, 245-2318 Willie A. Best, 245-2308 Jo Robinson, 245-2727 PURPOSE: To regulate door to door offerings for sale and selling of goods, wares, merchandise, food ,periodicals and services and the solicitation of orders or the solicitation of monetary contributions in residential areas of the county, and to promote the public safety and welfare. BACKGROUND: On September 2, 2010, the Orange County Board of Commissioners requested a draft ordinance detailing the cost-effectiveness of Orange County implementing a Solicitors Ordinance, the potential for increasing public safety, experiences in other counties and any alternatives that could be considered. In an effort to ascertain information concerning the implementation of Peddlers and Solicitors Ordinance by other governmental jurisdictions, limited information was available through the North Carolina County Commissioners Association. Because this is usually considered at the municipal level, only two counties- Pasquotank and Catawba Counties have such ordinances. The ordinance for Catawba County treats all individuals and groups soliciting the same. There are no requirements for permits and no fees are charged because in further discussion with the ACLU, it was believed to violate an individual's constitutional rights if certain persons or groups are allowed to solicit and other persons and groups are not allowed to solicit. The solution was to coordinate the matter through the Catawba District Attorney's Office. The Pasquotank County's ordinance limits what groups can solicit in any neighborhood and the permit is renewed every 60 days. There are certain requirements required by the County before any permit is granted to an individual or group. There has been no challenge made by the ACLU against the ordinance to date. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the implementation of a Peddlers and Solicitors ordinance. The Tax Administrator advises the potential revenue stream will be minimal.