Solicitor Permits

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Effective April 1, 2026, all applications for solicitor permits will be done online. Paper applications are no longer accepted.

All companies, individuals, or groups wishing to solicit in Westerville are required to register with the City of Westerville.

Applications will be reviewed, and background checks will be conducted. All issued permit holders are required to carry a Solicitors Identification Card at all times and to produce it upon request. Solicitors may engage in door-to-door sales or soliciting between the hours of 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Monday - Sunday.

Background Check (BCI/FBI): Required for every person seeking a permit.

Scope: The check must include both Ohio BCI and Federal FBI records
Important: BCI documents must be available before starting the application.
The 30-Day Rule: Per City Ordinance, the background check must be dated within 30 days of your application date. Older reports will be rejected.

Find a Webcheck® Location at https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Business/Services-for-Business/WebCheck/Webcheck-Community-Listing (Both BCI and FBI are required) or request Fingerprinting Services with the City of Westerville.

Apply for a Solicitation Permit

Permit Application

Required documents: Color Photo ID, Background Check (BCI/FBI), Transient Vendor’s License (if required by State law), Authorization Letter (Promoters only). View the FAQs below for more information.

A Public Access Portal account is required to submit an application. Log in or create a Public Access Portal account.

Guides: Permit Application Instructions (PDF) | Business Promoter Solicitation (Video) | Individual Commercial Solicitation (Video)

Application Process:

1. Log or Create a Public Access account

2. Start a new Application

3. Application Details

The Individual Permits follow essentially the same steps to create the application. The Business/Promoter application has additional steps to add the individuals who will do the soliciting on behalf of the company, whereas the individual permits are for one person only.

Section 1: Main

Fill in the information

Project Description: Company Name
Location: Home Office of Company

Click “Next”

Section 2: People

Enter all the information required. Any field that is red-lined is required. For the Individual Permits, this section also asks for contact information for the person who will do the soliciting.

Use “My Info” to automatically fill some fields with the information from your account.

Click “Next” when completed

Section 3: App Data

Add information about the Company details, including contact information for the supervisor of the solicitation. For the Individual Permits, this section also asks for personal information about the person who will do the soliciting.

Click “Next” when completed

Section 4: Payment

When you are satisfied with the information you have provided, click the “Submit” button to start the payment process.

Accept Terms and Conditions

Read the payment Terms and Conditions. Click “Accept”.

4. Pay Fees

5. Add Representatives (for Business/Promoter)

Each Business/Promoter application includes up to 6 representatives. For additional representatives beyond the first six, see the process below:

Go back to your public access main page where you will see the Comm Sales - Solicitation Rep Incl tiles.
Open each one and complete People info by clicking on the pencil icon on the Solicitation Permit Application / Representative Name line
Red-lined fields are required. When all the required fields are completed. Click “Update”
Next, fill in the information in the Data Groups area. When completed hit “Save”
Attach appropriate files in the Related Documents area.
For the BCI Report, upload a PDF of the report, and choose the “BCI Report(req)” label from the dropdown menu and click “Save”.
Repeat the process for the Driver’s Licence. Choose the “Driver’s License(req)” option from the dropdown menu. Click “Save” to complete the upload.
Repeat this process for each sales rep.

For additional reps beyond the initial six

Locate the parent permit. It will be labeled “Comm Sales - Promoter”
From the “choose action” dropdown menu, select the option to “Create New Case from Current”.
Choose “Solicitation” as the application type
Select “Comm Sales - Solicitation Rep Additional”
Click “Create Child Application”
Follow the steps above to add information for each person.

FAQs

What type of permit do I need?
There are three main categories of commercial solicitation permits in Westerville:
- Promoter Permit: Best for companies with multiple sales representatives. It includes the company license plus six (6) individual representative permits.
- 1-Year Individual Permit: For a single person planning to solicit throughout the year.
- 90-Day Individual Permit: For a single person planning a short-term or seasonal campaign.
What are the permit fees?
All fees are non-refundable and must be paid through the portal before your application is submitted for police review.
- Promoter Permit: $240.00 (Includes up to 6 reps).
- Additional Reps (for Promoters): $20.00 per person beyond the initial six.
- 1-Year Individual: $120.00
- 90-Day Individual: $75.00
- ID Card Replacement: $10.00
What documents must I upload?
To avoid a denial (and loss of your non-refundable fee), ensure your digital files are clear and meet these standards:
- Color Photo ID: A clear, color copy of a valid Driver’s License for every individual who will be at doors.
- Background Check (BCI/FBI): Required for every person seeking a permit.
  - Scope: The check must include both Ohio BCI and Federal FBI records
  - Important: BCI documents must be available before starting the application.
  - The 30-Day Rule: Per City Ordinance, the background check must be dated within 30 days of your application date. Older reports will be rejected.
  - Find a Webcheck® Location at https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Business/Services-for-Business/WebCheck/Webcheck-Community-Listing
- Transient Vendor’s License: Proof of your Ohio Department of Taxation license (if required by State law).
- Authorization Letter (Promoters only): A letter on company letterhead authorizing the applicant to act on the company's behalf.
What are the rules for soliciting in Westerville?
Failure to follow these rules can lead to the immediate revocation of your permit:
- Hours: You may only solicit between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- Displaying ID: You must wear and prominently display your City-issued Solicitors Identification Card at all times.
- No Soliciting Signs: You must respect all "No Soliciting" or "No Peddlers" signs posted on private property.
- No Solicitation Registry: You are legally required to check the City’s registry monthly and skip all addresses on that list.
- Conduct: If a resident asks you to leave, you must do so peacefully and immediately
How long does the approval process take?

Once you submit your application, pay the fee, and upload all required documents (including background checks), the Westerville Division of Police will begin their review. The timeline varies based on volume, but you will receive an email notification as soon as a status update is available.
I’ve paid and submitted my application. Now what?
- For Individuals: The Westerville Division of Police will review your background check and ID. You will receive an email once approved or if more information is needed.
- For Promoters: You must now go into your portal dashboard and complete the "Rep Incl" (Representative Included) tiles for each of your six people. Your permit will not be finalized until these individual backgrounds are reviewed.
- Timeline: Review times vary, but we process applications as quickly as possible. You will be notified via email of any status changes.
Are solicitation permits required for mobile food vending or food trucks?

Solicitation permits are not required for mobile food vending or food trucks. These operations are handled separately through the City’s Food Truck Pilot Program managed by the City’s Planning & Development Department. View program details here: https://www.westerville.org/services/planning-development/code-enforcement/food-trucks
How Are Charitable, Political, and Religious Canvassers Regulated?

Charitable, political, and religious canvassing is regulated separately under Chapter 743 of the City Code and does not require a City solicitation license. However, canvassers must comply with posted signs and the 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. time restriction.

Current Permit Holders - Permits are only valid from the date they are issued through the date they expire.

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