Peddlers / Solicitor Permit

The City of Lago Vista Peddler/Solicitor Permit is designed to help the Police Department contact residence or business owners in case of an alarm.  You can submit Peddler/Solicitor Permit applications in person at the Lago Vista Police Department, Monday through Thursday from 7 AM to 6 PM. For electronic submissions, please refer to the permit requirements.  All applications must be completed in full. If a question does not apply to you, please indicate 'N/A.' Applicants should also be prepared to pay for the permit at the time of completion.

What is a Peddler?

Any person who, without invitation, travels from door-to-door, and offers goods, services, wares, subscriptions, photographs, or other merchandise for sale, or any person engaging or engaging in the business of distributing flyers or advertising a commercial good, event, or service. The term shall not include a canvasser. Licenses are valid for one (1) year from the date of purchase. 

What is a Solicitor? 

Any person who, without invitation, travels from door to door and requests the donation of money, property, or anything of value, or the pledge of future donation of money, property, or anything of value.  The term shall not include a canvasser. Licenses are valid for one (1) year from the date of purchase. 

Alarm System Companies

Alarm System Companies are registered and permitted by the State of Texas and not the City of Lago Vista. To verify if a company has the appropriate license, please refer to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The Application

The application must be printed and filled in by the applicant at the Lago Vista Police Department with all the information requested. A Criminal Case History must be obtained before the application can be approved. Applicants should bring this back along with the application. It must be signed and must be duly notarized. If you do not have access to a notary, there is usually a notary at the Lago Vista Police Department, but do not sign before bringing the application back.  

Peddlers/Solicitor Permit Requirements

• Driver's License
• Completed Permit Application
• Criminal Case History by the Department of Public Safety
• Permit fees are due at the time of approval of the permit
• Current Photograph
• Upload documents
•  

How to get a permit

1. Apply for an alarm permit by filling out and downloading our fillable
2. Once approved by Lieutenant Franco, fees are due.

Permit Fees

Alarm permit fees are approved as part of our Master Fee schedule in the City’s Budget, available here. 

Fees

Payment Options:

Please take note of the following information regarding payment options for the Lago Vista Police Department: 

You can make payments online, in person, or by U.S. mail using exact cash, checks, or money orders for the full amount. 

1. Make checks, money orders, and cashier's checks payable to the City of Lago Vista and address them to: 

Lago Vista Police Department

5901 Municipal Complex Way

Lago Vista, TX 78645-5281

2. You can also make online payments through our easy pay option under the Police Department. Please be aware that there will be additional processing fees for online payments.

Applicable Regulations

Peddlers and Solicitors are regulated by Article 4.300 of the City of Lago Vista Code of Ordinances.

Prohibition of Peddling / Soliciting on Any Private Property 

It shall be unlawful for any Peddler or Solicitor to go upon any private property if there is placed on such property in a conspicuous place upon or near the main entrance to the residence, a sign, or card, not less than three inches by four inches in size, bearing the words "no trespassing," "no peddlers," "no advertisements," "no solicitation," "no handbills," or any similar notice indicating in any manner that the occupants of such property do not desire to be approached by a Peddler or Solicitor.

Display of Permit

All permittees shall display the permit on their person so that it remains visible at all times.

Hours Restricted

It shall be unlawful for any Peddler, Solicitor, or Canvasser to engage in the business of peddling at any time between the earlier of 8 pm and thirty (30) minutes after sunset and the later of 7 am and 30 minutes after sunrise. within the city between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the following morning, or at any time on Sundays, provided that the following exceptions shall apply to this section only:

1. The business is conducted pursuant to a specific appointment with, or invitation from, the prospective customer, or with a customer attending an advertised or invitational meeting held by such solicitor or peddler; or 
2. The business is conducted at a location situated on property zoned for commercial or retail use and the customer travels to such location to conduct such business.

Violations

It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or agent to fail to comply with the requirements of this article or any provision thereof, and each such failure shall be punished as a class C misdemeanor by a fine in accordance with the general penalty provision found in section 1.109 of this Code. Each such person, firm, corporation, or agent shall be deemed to be guilty of a separate offense for every day, or part thereof, during which any violation of this article is committed or continued.

Read our Code of Ordinances for more information.

Questions

Permits can be obtained at the Lago Vista Police Department, Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or online. For more details about peddler permits, please call Lieutenant Frank Alloca at (512)267-7141 or email.