In an effort to enhance community safety and provide residents with greater peace of mind, the Town of Perinton has enhanced its Peddlers Permit Program through a new partnership between the Town Clerk’s Office and the Safety & Security Office.
This initiative was spearheaded by Town Clerk Janelle Reed, who identified an opportunity to better protect residents by introducing a more thorough vetting process for individuals seeking to go door-to-door in the community.
Stronger Standards for Permit Approval
As of this year, all individuals applying to peddle or solicit in Perinton must undergo a fingerprint-based background investigation. The Town’s Safety & Security Office reviews each applicant’s background check results before a permit is issued.
To date, 16 background checks have been completed under this new process.
“We want residents to feel confident that individuals going door-to-door in our neighborhoods have been properly vetted,” said Reed. “This extra layer of review helps ensure we’re holding permit holders to a higher standard of accountability.”
What Is the Peddlers Permit?
Under Chapter 163 of the Town Code, anyone who goes from house to house, or sets up temporarily in a fixed location, to sell goods or services or solicit contributions must have a valid Peddlers Permit issued by the Town. This includes independent salespeople, service vendors, and fundraising solicitors working for for-profit companies.
Representatives of nonprofit organizations are exempt from the permit fee, but they are still required to register with the Town Clerk’s Office annually and undergo the same fingerprint-based background check as for-profit applicants.
What Residents Should Know:
- All approved peddlers are issued a Town of Perinton ID badge, which must be displayed visibly at all times during interactions with residents. There is no excuse for not displaying it.
- If someone comes to your door and cannot provide a permit, or if you believe a peddler is soliciting without a license, report the incident to law enforcement by calling 9-1-1, especially if you feel unsafe or suspect fraud.
- If possible, provide details such as the company name, name of the individual, nature of the business, type of vehicle, and any literature or brochures they distributed. This information greatly assists investigations.
- Residents who have a negative experience with a licensed solicitor may also contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (585) 223-0770. A permit can be revoked if the individual’s behavior violates the Town Code.
Interested in Who’s Licensed to Solicit in Perinton?
A current list of all approved peddlers is always available on the Town Clerk’s page at perinton.gov.
How the Permit Process Works
All peddler applicants must pass a fingerprint-based background check reviewed by the Town’s Safety & Security Office. Once approved, they must pay an annual fee of $250 per business and $100 per individual.
“This is about making sure we’re looking out for our neighbors,” said Reed. “Since we’ve seen increased interest in peddling locally, we want to be thoughtful and proactive in creating a process that puts the safety of our residents first.”
For more information about the Peddlers Permit process, visit perinton.gov or contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (585) 223-0770.
