Tyler Amends Solicitation Ordinance

TYLER — The Tyler City Council voted Wednesday to adopt an ordinance amending Tyler City Code Chapter 4 to standardize the hours for home solicitation and handbill distribution, and prohibiting solicitation when the occupant provides notice. “We have had feedback from the community that they wanted to see this ordinance strengthened and clarified,” said Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle. “We feel that the revisions made will help clarify the ordinance and also afford residents the privacy they are seeking when in their own homes.”

The amended ordinance will allow for solicitation Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until sunset. However, solicitation is prohibited all day on Sunday and New Year’s Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The ordinance defines sunset as the time of day identified by the National Weather Service as the time for sunset for that day for the City of Tyler. Previously solicitation was allowed starting at 9 a.m. and precluded on all federal and state holidays. Additionally, the new ordinance will make it unlawful for solicitors to visit a home that has posted a “No Solicitation” notice.

“Homeowners must simply post a small sign on their home that is visible to the solicitor that says No Solicitation,” added Chief Swindle. “In the event that the solicitor still rings the bell or knocks on the door, residents can call the Police Department for enforcement.”

Specifically, the ordinance states:

“It is unlawful for any person to go upon any residential premises and ring the doorbell, rap or knock upon the door, or create any sound in a manner calculated to attract the attention of the occupant of the residence, for the purpose of a charitable solicitation or a home solicitation transaction, if there is placed on such premises in a conspicuous place upon or near the main entrance to the residence or main entrance to a residential gated community, apartment complex or other residential living facility, a sign indicating in any manner the occupants’ desire not to have their privacy disturbed or otherwise prohibiting solicitation, peddling or trespassing.”

The solicitation guidelines also apply to handbill distribution.