[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Evans 6-20-2018 by L.L.
No. 3-2018.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fees — See Ch. 106.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This local law also superseded former
Ch. 144, Peddling and Soliciting, adopted 2-5-1975 by L.L. No. 2-1975,
as amended.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote and protect the health,
safety and general welfare of the community and to preserve and protect
the property of the Town of Evans and its residents.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings set forth unless the context of their use
clearly indicates otherwise:
Any person by or for whom an application is made under this
chapter.
Any benevolent, philanthropic, patriotic, military veterans,
not-for-profit, educational or religious association, society or other
organization or any other association, society or organization qualified
as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
Any governmental entity or organization, including, without
limitation, a school district, fire district and fire company.
A person who engages in peddling and/or soliciting.
A self-contained mobile food unit in which ready-to-eat food
is prepared, cooked, wrapped, packaged, processed or portioned for
service, sale, or distribution or any prepackaged food is sold or
distributed for immediate consumption.
The owner or owner's agent of a mobile food vehicle.
A person who engages in peddling.
Selling or offering for sale, barter or exchange any property
or service, either for immediate or future delivery or performance
upon any street, road or highway or from house to house in the Town,
and including, without limitation, activities commonly known as "hawking."
Delivery or distribution of advertising matter, literature,
pamphlets, samples or handbills house to house or on any of the streets,
roads or highways or by going from place to place in the Town, but
not including the delivery or distribution of newspapers, magazines
or political or religious materials.
A natural person, corporation, partnership, association,
joint venture, society or other organization or association of any
kind, whether acting as principal, agent, employer or employee.
Any goods, wares, merchandise or other article or thing of
every kind or nature except newspapers.
Seeking, taking or offering contracts or orders for any property
for future sale or delivery or performance of any service upon any
street, road or highway or from house to house in the Town, and including,
without limitation, activities commonly known as "hawking."
Seeking or taking subscriptions or contributions of money or
property, upon any street, road or highway or from house to house
in the Town.
A person who engages in soliciting.
The Town of Evans.
A retail or wholesale business, other than a mobile food
vehicle vendor (as regulated separately in this chapter), conducted
from a temporary structure or tent, truck, van or trailer, stand,
parking lot or vacant parcel of land, in a public right-of-way or
in or on any other place in the Town, but not 1) outdoor sales of
property or services accessory to a business conducted within a permanent
structure on a same premises; or 2) the sale of food products raised
or produced on the same premises from a temporary or seasonal stand,
provided that the principal structure or activities otherwise comply
with the zoning and other ordinances of the Town.
A.
No person shall engage in peddling, soliciting, mobile food vehicle
vending or a transient business without first obtaining a permit or
registering or both as required by this chapter. Every solicitor or
peddler shall, at all times, while engaged in soliciting and peddling
within the Town, carry the permit upon his person and shall exhibit
the same upon request to all persons solicited or to any police officer
within the Town.
B.
No motor vehicle shall be used for peddling, mobile food vehicle
vending or conducting a transient business unless a permit shall first
have been obtained for use of said vehicle for such activities, which
permit shall at all times be displayed in a conspicuous location that
is visible from the outside of the vehicle.
No permit under this chapter shall be required:
A.
By any charitable organization or its agents or employees or veterans
licensed pursuant to General Business Law § 32, and further
provided that any person within the provisions of this exemption shall
hawk, peddle or solicit only as part of an authorized activity of
the organization of which he is a member or of the school or church
which he attends, and further provided that no person exempted by
this subsection receives any compensation for any such activity here
exempted.
B.
The holder of a license granted pursuant to the General Business
Law of the State of New York.
C.
By any business, service or activity licensed under any other ordinance
or law of the Town of Evans.
D.
A wholesaler selling articles to dealers or merchants who have an
established place of business within the Town.
E.
Any person selling goods, wares, commodities or services regularly
to those who are his established customers, patrons or purchasers.
F.
Any person selling personal property at a garage sale held at his
residence.
G.
For participation at events sponsored by the Town (i.e., Summerfest,
movie nights, etc.), provided that proper application is made, any
applicable fees paid, and registration issued for the specified Town-sponsored
event.
H.
By political parties and candidates for public office.
No charitable organization shall engage in soliciting before
it files with the Town Clerk a list of the names, addresses and dates
of birth of the persons who will conduct the activity on its behalf
and a statement of the time period during which the solicitations
shall occur. The Clerk shall provide a copy of the list to the Police
Department. No person shall engage in soliciting on behalf of a charitable
organization until this information has been provided to the Town
Clerk, except persons under 19 years of age, who shall not be required
to register and obtain a permit as heretofore provided for, in the
event that they are soliciting for any purposes directly connected
with a charitable organization native to the Town.
A.
No peddling, soliciting or transient business activities, whether
or not exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter, shall
be conducted before 9:00 a.m. or after the earlier of 8:00 p.m. or
dusk. Mobile food vending shall not be conducted before 9:00 a.m.
or after 8:00 p.m. on a residential property except for the following:
B.
Mobile food vending shall not be conducted before 7:00 a.m. or after
11:00 p.m. on a nonresidential property or in a right-of-way adjacent
to a nonresidential property.
A.
Any person desiring a license under this chapter shall first register
with the Town Clerk of the Town of Evans and shall file with said
Town Clerk an application, in writing, containing the following information:
(1)
The name and date of birth of the applicant.
(2)
The permanent home residence and the address of this current place
of sojourn if different from his home address.
(3)
A physical description of the applicant, giving date of birth, height,
weight and color of hair and eyes, along with a photograph of the
applicant (head and shoulders), in triplicate, measuring two inches
by two inches, taken within 30 days of the date of the application
for such license. One copy of the photograph shall be attached to
the license application, one copy of the photograph to the license,
and the third shall be delivered to the Chief of Police of the Town.
(4)
The name and address of the person or entity, if any, by whom the
applicant is employed and for whom or through whom orders are to be
solicited, cleared, filled or delivered.
(5)
A description of the business or activity in which the applicant
intends to engage and of the nature of any property or services involved.
(6)
A list of all municipalities (name and state) in which the applicant
has carried on the business of peddling, selling or soliciting orders
or where he conducted a transient business during the six months immediately
preceding the application.
(7)
For peddlers or solicitors, a list of crimes for which the applicant
has been arrested or convicted, including the dates and places.
(8)
A statement as to the period of time during which the applicant intends
to engage in the business or activity regulated under this chapter.
(9)
Proof that the applicant, or his or her employer or principal, is
registered for sales tax purposes, if the business or activity to
be conducted is subject to sales or use tax.
(10)
A description of any motor vehicle that will be used for pickup
or delivery of property or for the purpose of bringing any such property
into the Town for peddling, soliciting or transient business purposes,
or from which a transient business will be conducted, to include the
name of manufacturer, year, type of vehicle, vehicle identification
number, registration plate number, title holder and name of the person
other than the title holder to whom the vehicle is registered, if
any.
(11)
The location where a transient business or mobile food vending
operation is to be conducted, if known.
(12)
Further information required by the Town Clerk or the Police
Department.
B.
To the application must be appended a letter or authorization from
each entity supplying any property or services to be sold or for which
orders are to be solicited by the applicant.
C.
The application shall be signed by the applicant and sworn to before
a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths.
D.
If mobile food vending or a transient business is to be conducted
on private property, the written consent of the property owner, if
other than the applicant, shall be filed with the application and
shall be prominently displayed on the mobile food vending vehicle
or at the transient business site.
A.
For peddling or soliciting permit applications, the Town Clerk shall
forward a copy of the application to the Police Department. The Police
Department shall, to the extent possible, determine whether or not
the applicant has accurately reported convictions and is otherwise
a person of good moral character and reputation.
(1)
The police officer designated by the Police Chief to order and review
criminal records ("Criminal Records Officer") may cause the fingerprints
of any applicant for a peddling or soliciting permit and any applicable
fee to be forwarded to the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
in the form and manner as prescribed by DCJS for a complete criminal
background check upon receipt of the appropriate fee from the applicant.
(2)
The Criminal Records Officer shall review the criminal history record
information (CHRI) disseminated by DCJS in connection with the applicant's
criminal background check. If a prospective applicant has been convicted
of a crime, any decision regarding such prospective applicant's
fitness for a license must be made upon consideration of New York
State Correction Law §§ 701 through 703-b and §§ 751
through 753.
B.
A copy of any application for a transient business or mobile food
vendor shall be forwarded to the Code Enforcement Office. The Code
Enforcement Office shall, to the extent possible, determine whether
not the equipment or vehicle presents a danger to the health, safety
and general welfare of the community, including preservation and protection
of the property of the Town and its residents.
C.
The Police Department and Code Enforcement Office shall report the
results of their investigations of applications to the Town Clerk
within 10 business days of the receipt of the copy. The Police Department
and Code Enforcement Office, in their sole discretion, may recommend
denial of a permit should their investigation yield results which
indicate the applicant misrepresented his or her conviction record
or the equipment or vehicle presents a danger. A denial shall be provided
the applicant in writing, specifically setting forth the grounds for
denial.
D.
After receiving a determination from the Police Department and the
Code Enforcement Office, the Town Clerk shall thereupon signify approval
or rejection on the reverse side of the application. If approved,
the Town Clerk shall issue the license to such applicant. To such
license shall be affixed one photograph of the applicant, identified
by the applicant's signature, which shall, in part, cover said
photograph.
Fees shall be set by resolution of the Town Board and as set forth in Chapter 106, Fees (see Town for current fee rates). No application shall be accepted until all applicable fees have been paid in full to the Town Clerk, and all fees are nonrefundable.
A.
After receipt of reports from the Police Department and Code Enforcement
Department, when required, the Town Clerk shall issue the permit requested
unless denied.
B.
Solicitors', peddlers' or transient business permits issued
pursuant to this chapter automatically expire on December 31.
C.
Annual mobile food vendor permits shall automatically expire on December
31. Single-day permits shall automatically expire at the end of the
calendar day for which it was issued.
D.
Permits issued under this chapter shall not be transferable.
E.
A permit issued pursuant to this chapter may be revoked if, following
its issuance, the Police Department and/or Code Enforcement Office,
in their sole discretion, determine the applicant misrepresented his
or her conviction record or the equipment or vehicle presents a danger.
A revocation shall be provided the applicant in writing, specifically
setting forth the grounds for denial/revocation. A permit may also
be revoked for any violation of this chapter committed after its issuance.
F.
A transient business permit shall be limited to a single location.
If the location is in a public right-of-way, it must be approved by
the state, county or Town authority having jurisdiction. If the location
is not in a public right-of-way, it must be approved by the Code Enforcement
Department.
G.
For mobile food vendors:
(1)
It shall be unlawful to conduct business from a mobile food vehicle
within a public right-of-way or on private property within the Town
without having first obtained a valid mobile food vendor permit for
each mobile food vehicle.
(2)
It shall be unlawful for a mobile food vendor to conduct business
in a location within 100 feet of the primary entrance of an establishment
that is open to the public and where ready-to-eat food is prepared,
cooked, wrapped, packaged, processed or portioned for service, sale,
or distribution. This requirement shall be waived if permission for
the mobile food vending operation is obtained from the owner of the
property that contains the establishment where ready-to-eat food is
prepared, cooked, wrapped, packaged, processed or portioned for service,
sale or distribution.
(3)
Within nonresidential zoning districts, it shall be unlawful for
a mobile food vendor to conduct business at a single location within
a public right-of-way for a duration exceeding three hours. Within
residential zoning districts, it shall be unlawful for a mobile food
vendor to conduct business within a public right-of-way except for
mobile food vehicles that operate for less than 20 minutes at a single
location or that operate within an area where a block party is being
conducted.
(4)
At all times, mobile food vendors must abide by the New York State
Transportation Law and all applicable parking, vehicle and traffic
laws, ordinances, rules and regulations and comply with all requirements
of the Erie County Health Department.
(5)
All signage associated with a mobile food vendor must be permanently
affixed to the mobile food vehicle. No accessory signage shall be
placed outside or around the mobile food vehicle.
(6)
All mobile food vendors must provide trash receptacles of sufficient
capacity to contain all trash and waste generated in association with
the business of the mobile food vendor. All waste and trash shall
be placed in the trash receptacles. All trash, waste, litter and debris
shall be removed from the site of the vending operation at the end
of each daily operation.
(7)
It shall be unlawful to discharge liquid waste, fats, oils or grease
on the land. Such discharges shall be held in appropriate containers
and then disposed in a legally permissible manner.
(8)
Mobile food vendors shall not conduct operation from a site that
contains a gasoline service.
(9)
Each mobile food vehicle shall be inspected annually by the Code
Enforcement Office for firesafety code compliance.
(10)
All required permits shall be posted conspicuously on the mobile
food vehicle.
(11)
Each mobile food vehicle shall be registered as a commercial
vehicle with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
(12)
When parked on a public or private right-of-way, products shall
not be dispensed from the street side of the mobile food vehicle.
(13)
A mobile food vehicle shall not be operated in reverse in order
to attempt or make a sale.
(14)
When parked on a public or private right-of-way, a mobile food
vehicle shall not be parked within 60 feet of an intersection with
another public or private right-of-way boundary.
A.
No person shall use private real property for any activity requiring a permit under this chapter without the written consent of the owner and in compliance with § 144-7D.
B.
No person regulated by this chapter shall hawk or cry property, offers,
contracts or services upon any location in the Town or use any loudspeaker,
horn or other sound-making device.
C.
No person holding a permit under this chapter shall engage in any
activity regulated hereunder unless he or she has the permit on his
or her person or, as it pertains to a mobile food vendor, on the mobile
food vehicle.
A.
The owner or occupant of a residential building may post a notice
prohibiting peddlers and solicitors. The notice shall be placed in
a conspicuous place adjacent to the entrance door of the building.
The letters of the notice shall be at least 1/2 inch in height and
shall contain a statement saying in substance that "peddlers or solicitors
are prohibited." No person shall engage in any activity regulated
by this chapter by attempting to enter a building or ringing a doorbell
or knocking on an entrance door to any residence building at which
entrance such a notice has been posted.
B.
Any person engaged in an activity regulated under this chapter, whether
that person is exempt or not, who has entered upon private property,
whether invited or not, shall immediately and peacefully depart therefrom
when requested to do so by any occupant.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall
be guilty of a violation. Each violation shall be punishable by a
fine not to exceed $250 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed
15 days, or both.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Police Department and
the Code Enforcement Office of the Town of Evans. Primary enforcement
of the mobile food vending regulations contained in this chapter shall
be the responsibility of the Code Enforcement Office. Matters concerning
the Vehicle and Traffic Law, the New York State Transportation Law,
illegal parking and trespassing shall be the responsibility of the
Police Department. If the Code Enforcement Office determines an issue
to be a police matter, the Code Enforcement Office shall refer that
issue to the Police Department.
The invalidity of any section or provision of this chapter shall
not invalidate any other section or provision of this chapter.
