[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Wyckoff 3-1-1955 by Ord. No. 274; amended in its entirety 11-1-2004 by Ord. No. 1478. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Littering — See Ch. 133.
Noise — See Ch. 143.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
MERCHANDISE
All goods, wares, food, meat, fish, ice cream, magazines, books, periodicals, printed material, electronic equipment, services and orders or contracts for services, memberships, home improvements or alterations and anything that may be sold by peddlers, nonprofit-making vendors or solicitors, as defined herein.
NONPROFIT-MAKING VENDOR
A person who sells or collects goods, wares, merchandise or other personal property the proceeds of which are devoted exclusively to the purposes of philanthropic, charitable or a religious society on whose behalf he acts as an agent.
PEDDLER
A person, commonly referred to either as a "peddler" or "hawker," who goes from place to place by travelling on the streets or from house to house and carries with him goods, wares, merchandise or other personal property for the purpose of selling and delivering them to consumers.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, voluntary association, incorporated association or agent thereof.
SOLICITOR
A person who goes from house to house selling or buying goods, wares, or merchandise or other personal property by sample or taking orders for future delivery or selling a service to be rendered in the future, with or without accepting advance payment for the goods, wares, merchandise other personal property or service, or who solicits in his or the name of an organization, money, donations of money or financial assistance of any kind, including the donation of merchandise.
SOLICITING BUSINESS
Includes the following when done by personal approach:
A. 
The request, suggestion or proposal made by a person, in his or the name of an organization, to acquire from another money, donations of money or financial assistance of any kind including the donation of merchandise.
B. 
Advertising for the sale of goods, wares, merchandise or other personal property, as well as services to be rendered presently or in the future by passing or circulating handbills.
The purpose of this chapter is to prevent crime and dishonest or fraudulent business practices by the regulation of the conduct of solicitors, peddlers and, nonprofit-making vendors and the fee therefor is estimated to cover the expense involved and not for revenue purposes, and to impose license fees for revenue upon peddlers.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any peddler, nonprofit-making vendor or solicitor to sell, buy or dispose of, or offer to sell, buy or dispose of any goods, wares, merchandise, other personal property or service to be rendered in the future, or to take orders for any goods, wares, merchandise, other personal property or services to be rendered in the future, or to solicit business from house to house using public thoroughfares or in public places within the Township of Wyckoff, without first obtaining a license therefor.
B. 
The following persons are exempt from the requirement of paying licensing fees pursuant to this chapter:
(1) 
Any person honorably discharged from the military, naval or marine forces of the United States, possessing a peddler's license issued in conformity with N.J.S.A. 45:24-10 and the amendments thereof.
(2) 
Any nonprofit-making vendor.
(3) 
Any person who conducts a sale pursuant to statute or court order.
(4) 
Any person who is an exempt member of a volunteer fire department as defined by N.J.S.A. 45:24-9b; possessing a license issued in conformity with said law and the amendments thereof.
(5) 
Any person engaged in the delivery of goods, wares, merchandise or other personal property in the regular course of business to the premises of persons ordering the same.
Every person distributing any card, circular, pamphlet, newspaper, paper or other publication or any form of advertising matter shall do so in a manner to avoid the littering and scattering of papers and shall comply with the rules and regulations pertaining thereto established by the Township Committee.
A. 
Any person desiring to obtain a license for the purposes heretofore mentioned in this chapter shall apply therefor in writing to the Chief of Police of the Township on an application blank containing the following information and complying with the provisions thereof:
WYCKOFF POLICE DEPARTMENT
SCOTT PLAZA
WYCKOFF, NEW JERSEY 07481
(202) 891-2121
APPLICATION FOR PEDDLER'S OR SOLICITOR'S
OR NONPROFIT-MAKING VENDOR'S LICENSE
TOWNSHIP OF WYCKOFF
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
Badge
Blotter #:___________ License Type:_________ Dated:
Name: ______________________________ Phone #:
Address:_________________ Town: _______ State: ___ Zip:
Age: ___ DOB: ______ Sex: ___ Weight: ____ Height:
Hair Color: __________ Eye Color: ________ Race:
Social Security # ________ Drivers License # ______ State:
Employed By: __________________ Street Address:
Town: _______________________ State: _____ Zip:
Supervisor: _____________________________ Phone:
Describe the commercial activity or solicitation you wish to perform in the Township of Wyckoff.
Vehicle Used: Make: ______ Model: _____ Year: ___ Color:
Reg.# ____________________________ State of Reg.:
Have you ever been arrested? ____ For What?
Location of Arrest (City & state):
Disposition of Arrest:
References (no relatives):
Name _________ Address _________ State ___ Phone
Name _________ Address _________ State ___ Phone
Name _________ Address _________ State ___ Phone
Residences for the past five years:
Dated: _________ Address: ______________________ State:
Dated: _________ Address: ______________________ State:
Dated: _________ Address: ______________________ State:
Do you presently have a State or County Peddler's or Solicitor's License?:
Type of License:
Number:
I certify the within statements are true to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are false, I am subject to punishment and forfeiture of license.
Signature of Applicant:
Date:
MARS:
NCIC:
SCIC:
DMV:
Record check by:
Additional Information:
Deposit: _________ Fee:
Approved: _______ Denied:
Chief of Police
Date
B. 
No such application for a license shall be filed more than six months prior to the time such peddling, vending or soliciting shall commence.
When said application is properly filled out and signed by an applicant, it shall be presented to the Chief of Police, whose duty it shall be to investigate the statements made therein, and a period of not more than 10 business days shall be allowed for such investigation, whereupon the Chief of Police will indicate his approval or disapproval upon the application. When a fee is required under this chapter, the application, bearing the approval of the Chief of Police, shall be presented by the applicant to the Township Treasurer, to whom the fee shall be paid. The Treasurer shall acknowledge receipt of the fee in writing upon the application, which shall be returned by the applicant to the Chief of Police. In case of disapproval of an application by the Chief of Police, the applicant may appeal to the Township Committee, whereupon opportunity will be granted for hearing reasons for and against the issuance of a license. The decision of the Township Committee shall be final.
A separate license must be obtained by a licensed peddler, nonprofit-making vendor or solicitor for every agent or employee working for him, unless such agent or employee is selling goods or soliciting business from the same wagon or vehicle that the licensed peddler, nonprofit-making vendor or solicitor is selling or soliciting business from, but no more than two employees shall sell or solicit from the same wagon or vehicle without a separate license.
A. 
It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police to issue licenses in cases where the provisions of this chapter have been complied with. Licenses, except daily, will expire on December 31 of each year and will be in the form of a card bearing the name of the licensee, the purpose for which it is issued, the date of expiration and the signature of the Chief of Police and Seal of the Wyckoff Police Department.
B. 
The Chief of Police shall issue with each solicitor's license an identification card, numbered and bearing the name of the Township and the word "solicitor" or other suitable inscription. The licensee to whom such identification card is issued shall wear the same conspicuously upon his person at all times. A similar identification card shall be issued to all nonprofit-making vendors, with the proper description of their classification thereon.
C. 
Peddlers.
(1) 
The Chief of Police shall issue with each peddler's license a placard bearing the words "Licensed Peddler, Township of Wyckoff," together with the number thereof and the year for which it is issued.
(2) 
All automobiles, wagons, carts or other vehicles used for peddling shall have the placard prominently displayed and affixed thereon.
D. 
All licenses shall be issued on forms drawn in accordance with this chapter and consecutively numbered. It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police to make and maintain a record of all solicitors, nonprofit-making vendors and peddlers. In this record shall be entered the following information: date of issuing licenses, to whom issued, address, purpose, fee paid, license plate, identification card issued and remarks.
E. 
Every person holding a license under this chapter shall be required to carry the license with him. He must produce the license at the request of any official or householder of the Township of Wyckoff.
F. 
It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police to incorporate as a part of his monthly report to the Commissioner of Police the number of licenses issued and fees paid for all licenses.
G. 
The Chief of Police may revoke any license for sufficient cause after giving notice to the holder thereof. The applicant may appeal such decision to the Township Committee, whereupon opportunity will be granted for hearing the reasons for and against such revocation. The decision of the Township Committee shall be final.
H. 
No person shall canvass, solicit, distribute or vend, within the meaning of this chapter, in the Township of Wyckoff before the hour of 9:00 a.m. or after sunset on any day of the week; however, a person may obtain a waiver from the prohibition of canvassing, soliciting, distributing or vending after sunset upon application to the Chief of Police and a finding by him that existing weather and road conditions present no significant threat or danger to the safety and welfare of persons in the community.
[Amended 8-7-2012 by Ord. No. 1695]
I. 
All persons who canvass, solicit, distribute or vend, within the meaning of this chapter, in the Township of Wyckoff shall observe, heed and comply with any signs indicating that soliciting, vendors, or peddlers are not permitted upon the premises.
J. 
There shall be a charge of $20 for replacement of a lost or damaged identification card.
[Amended 4-28-2015 by Ord. No. 1771]
K. 
All persons who shall canvass, solicit, distribute or vend, pursuant to this section, shall comply with all laws regarding business on Sundays, including but not limited to Chapter 104 of the Code of the Township of Wyckoff.
[Added 8-7-2012 by Ord. No. 1695]
[Amended 3-4-2014 by Ord. No. 1729; 4-28-2015 by Ord. No. 1771]
The license fees shall be as follows:
A. 
Solicitors: Upon submitting an application for a background investigation of the character and record of such solicitor, an application fee of $160. Following that investigation and upon approval of the Chief of Police, a license fee of $320. All licenses shall expire on December 31 of the year in which they are issued.
[Amended 8-17-2021 by Ord. No. 1945]
B. 
Peddlers: Upon submitting an application for a background investigation of the character and record of such peddler, an application fee of $160. Following that investigation and upon approval of the Chief of Police, a license fee of $135 per day or $320 per year. All licenses shall expire on December 31 of the year in which they are issued.
[Amended 8-17-2021 by Ord. No. 1945]
C. 
In addition to the application and license fees, there shall be a charge of $10 for reimbursement of the Township's cost to produce each solicitor photo identification badge or peddler placard.
This chapter shall not apply to employees of any public utility which is subject to the regulation of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the State of New Jersey; provided, however, that such employee shall display the identification badge or card issued by his employer; nor shall the same apply to bona fide members of any church, social, civic, fraternal or philanthropic organizations located within the Township of Wyckoff or one endorsed by the governing body of the Township of Wyckoff; nor shall the same apply to any person holding a license or certificate issued by any department, board, commission or other agency of the State of New Jersey.
Any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.
[Added 11-14-2016 by Ord. No. 1816]
A. 
Any owner or occupant of real property within the Township of Wyckoff who refuses to be canvassed or solicited pursuant to this chapter may enroll in the Township's "No Knock" registry by completing the application for the "No Knock" registry at the Wyckoff Police Department, police desk clerk, such application being incorporated herein by reference.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said application is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B. 
No person, peddler and/or solicitor, as defined in this chapter, shall sell, buy or dispose of, or offer to sell, buy or dispose of, any goods, wares, merchandise, other personal property or services to be rendered in the future, or to take orders for any goods, wares, merchandise, other personal property or services to be rendered in the future, or to solicit business from any owner or occupant whose name and property address is included on the "No Knock" registry list maintained by the Wyckoff Police Department.
C. 
Any person, peddler and/or solicitor shall be subject to the fines and penalties as listed in § 148-11.
D. 
No prohibition is hereby made against door-to-door solicitation by nonprofit, charitable, religious or political organizations, and such solicitation shall not be impeded by the Township's "No Knock" registry.