[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Skippack 8-27-1997 by Ord. No. 214. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 164.
A. 
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the text:
TRANSIENT RETAIL BUSINESS
(1) 
Engaging in peddling, soliciting or taking orders, either by sample or otherwise, for the goods, wares or merchandise upon any street, alley, sidewalk or public ground or from house to house within the Township of Skippack; or
(2) 
Selling, soliciting or taking orders for any goods, wares or merchandise from a fixed location within Skippack Township, on a temporary basis, which shall include but not be limited to such activities conducted at the time of special occasions or celebration (for seasonal purposes or for yearly holidays).
B. 
The singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter.
From and after the effective date hereof, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation not exempted by § 135-6 hereof, who or which is not the holder of a valid, unexpired and unrevoked license issued pursuant to this chapter, to engage in any transient retail business by visitation to private homes or residences or on the public streets or highways of Skippack Township.
A. 
Any person not exempted by § 135-6 hereof desiring to obtain a license to engage in the activities described in § 135-2 hereof shall make application thereof in person to the Township Manager.
B. 
Application information.
(1) 
The applicant shall supply, over his signature, the following information (if applicable):
(a) 
His name.
(b) 
His place and date of birth.
(c) 
His social security number.
(d) 
His address and phone number.
(e) 
His residence.
(f) 
The address at which he will receive notices under this chapter.
(g) 
The name and address of his employer or principal and the nature of his business activity.
(h) 
The types of goods, wares and merchandise he wishes to deal with in such transient retail business.
(i) 
The nature of the business or activity in which the applicant wishes to engage within the township.
(j) 
The duration of the license (i.e., 30 days, one year).
(k) 
The days and hours of operation or solicitation.
(l) 
His motor vehicle operator's number and the issuing state thereof.
(m) 
The registration number, model, make and color of the vehicle or vehicles which the applicant intends to use.
(n) 
The location and/or locations of business, if stationary or semistationary.
(2) 
In addition, the applicant shall supply to township the following (if applicable):
(a) 
A copy of his Pennsylvania state sales tax license.
(b) 
Proof of a handler's license or health license.
(c) 
A letter from the property owner stating the property owner understands and agrees to comply with this chapter and that the property owner is responsible for the conduct of the transient businessman.
C. 
Upon submission of said application and the payment of a fee in the amount set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, a license shall be issued, within 15 business days of such submission, to the applicant in the form of a card, which shall, unless revoked, entitle the licensee to engage in the activities specified for the period requested from the date of issuance, provided that the Township Manager may refuse to issue a license if he has reasonable grounds for believing the applicant to be of poor moral character, in which event the applicant shall be required to apply in person to the Board of Supervisors.
D. 
Licenses may be renewed for additional periods upon payment of the hereinabove provided for and the submission of any amendment of the original application necessary to reflect any changes in the information therein contained.
Every person to whom a license has been issued hereunder shall, in the carrying on of his business or activities in the township, comply with the following conditions and rules of conduct:
A. 
He shall carry his license card at all times and exhibit it upon request to any township officer or any person upon whom he shall call or with whom he shall talk in carrying on his licensed activities.
B. 
His license card is not transferable, and he shall not permit or allow any other person to use the same and shall immediately report its loss to the Township Manager, should such event occur. His card shall not be altered or defaced, nor shall he permit it so to be.
C. 
He shall not enter or attempt to enter any dwelling or business house without an invitation or permission of the occupant and shall immediately leave any premises upon request.
D. 
He shall not represent his license card to be an endorsement of himself or of his goods, wares or services or of the goods, wares or services of his employer.
E. 
He shall immediately surrender his license card upon revocation of his license, as hereinafter provided.
A. 
Any license hereafter issued may be revoked by the Board of Supervisors upon the failure of the licensee to comply with the standards of conduct established by § 135-4 or upon ascertainment that the licensee has made any false statement in his application for a license hereunder. Notice of revocation shall be given by written notice served or sent, by registered mail, to the address designated for this purpose in the license application.
B. 
Any person whose license has been revoked shall be entitled to appear with counsel, if he desires, before the Board of Supervisors at a regular or special meeting; and he will be heard on behalf of his request for a reinstatement of his license.
The following persons are exempted from the licensing requirements of this chapter:
A. 
Persons soliciting contributions on behalf of organizations or nonprofit corporations exempted from the provisions of or duly registered pursuant to the Act of April 30, 1986, P.L. 107 (10 P.S. § 161.1 et seq.), as amended,[1] who, while soliciting, are possessed of a card or other written evidence of their appointment or authority to solicit for said organization or corporation.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said Act was repealed 1990, Dec. 19, P.L. 1200, No. 202. See now 10 P.S. § 162.1 et seq.
B. 
Persons who have been licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to engage in any activity described in § 135-1 hereof, when so engaged, including, without limitation, real estate, insurance or securities brokers and salesmen.
C. 
Persons engaged in the sale of goods, wares and merchandise donated by the owner thereof, the proceeds whereof are to be applied to any charitable or philanthropic purpose.
D. 
Farmers and dairies selling their own farm and dairy produce on or adjacent to their residence or farms.
E. 
All persons engaged in the sale of goods, wares and merchandise on properties located on both sides of State Route 73 (Skippack Pike) from Route 113 (Bridge Road) to Forty Foot Road.
F. 
Persons engaged in political or religious advocacy.
[Added 2-9-2005 by Ord. No. 289]
[Amended 8-26-1998 by Ord. No. 227]
This chapter shall be enforced by action brought before a District Justice in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. Any person who violates or permits the violation of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding, be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by imprisonment or a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues, or is permitted to continue, shall constitute a separate offense. Each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense.