[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Conewago 11-20-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-R; amended in its entirety 8-16-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-U. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Township of Conewago Solicitation Ordinance."
A. 
The following words shall be construed to have the meanings set forth below. The singular number includes the plural, and the masculine includes the feminine and the neuter.
B. 
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CHARITABLE SOLICITATION ACT
The Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act enacted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 10 P.S. § 162.1 et seq., as such Act may be amended from time to time.
PERSON
Any individual, organization, corporation, association, partnership, trust, foundation or other entity, however styled, including, but not limited to, charitable organizations, business organizations, professional solicitors, and volunteer fund-raisers and solicitors.
SOLICIT
To go from door to door in the Township soliciting contributions or pledges for contributions; or selling or attempting to sell subscriptions, products or services, or taking orders or attempting to take orders for subscriptions, products or services; or handing a pamphlet, handbill, advertising material or other form of literature ("literature") to an occupant of the residence. The term "solicit" does not include simply leaving literature at a residence without knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell.
SOLICITATION
Acts of individual solicitors on behalf of a particular person.
SOLICITING ORGANIZATION
The person on whose behalf solicitors are acting.
SOLICITOR
A person who solicits.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Conewago, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
TOWNSHIP SOLICITATION PERMIT
An identification card issued by the Township to a qualified person who has met the application requirements of this chapter, allowing such person to solicit within the Township according to the terms and conditions of this chapter ("permit").
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business as a solicitor, calling at residences or places of business without the previous consent of the occupant for the purpose of soliciting orders, sales, subscriptions, or business of any nature, or seeking information or donations without first having registered in the office of the Chief of Police of the Township. The registrant shall give his complete identification, signature, the name of his employer, the nature of the products or services in which he is interested, the names of the manufacturers of such products, or of the organization which he is representing, and the proposed method of operation in the Township. The employer/company shall be listed with the Better Business Bureau.
A. 
Each solicitor/person shall pay to the Township a nonrefundable registration fee for the period expiring five business days after the date of said registration. Such registration fee shall be established by resolution by the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
Saturday and Sunday solicitation is prohibited.
C. 
Each solicitor/person shall at all times while soliciting in the Township carry upon his person the permit, and the same shall be exhibited by such solicitor whenever he is required to do so by any law enforcement officer or by any individual solicited.
D. 
Each solicitor/person shall submit to a background check and pay the fee as established by resolution by the Board of Supervisors.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following individuals and organizations:
A. 
Fund-raising activities to benefit school-sponsored organizations, churches, or other not-for-profit charitable and civic organizations.
B. 
Persons delivering or distributing goods or services previously ordered or contracted for by the individual(s) to whom they are delivered or distributed.
C. 
Persons who solicit for an organization which has registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State under the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, 10 P.S. § 162.1 et seq., and produce proof of such current registration.
D. 
Officers or employees of the Township, county, state or federal government, or any subdivision thereof, when on official business.
E. 
Persons engaged in interstate commerce.
Any such registration of a solicitor/person may be revoked by the Board of Supervisors or Chief of Police of the Township because of any violation by the solicitor of this chapter or of any other ordinances of the Township or of any state or federal law or whenever the registrant shall cease to possess the qualifications and character required in this chapter for the original registration.
The practice of going in and upon private residences in the Township by solicitors, not having been requested or invited so to do by the owner or owners, occupant or occupants of said private residences, for the purpose of soliciting orders for the sale of goods, wares and merchandise, and/or for the purpose of disposing of the same, is hereby declared to be a nuisance.
Every person engaged in soliciting within the confines of the Township shall, in the conduct of his activities, comply with the following standards of conduct:
A. 
The solicitor/person shall not engage in soliciting before 9:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., prevailing time.
Any person who shall engage in soliciting without registering with the appropriate Township authority or any person, whether or not required to be registered under this chapter, who shall violate any of the other provisions set forth herein shall, upon conviction thereof before a Magisterial District Judge, be subject to a fine or penalty of not more than $300, plus costs of prosecution. Such fine or penalty shall be collected as like fines or penalties are now by law collected.
This chapter shall be effective August 16, 2010.