[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of
the City of Hudson 5-5-2003 by Ord. No. 3-03.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers — See Ch. 184.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed
former Ch. 124, Direct Sellers and Solicitors, adopted by Ord. No.
26-84, as amended.
It shall be unlawful for any direct seller,
transient merchant or solicitor to engage in sales within the City
of Hudson without being registered for that purpose as provided in
this chapter.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 13-21]
Except as provided in this chapter for licensed events approved
by the Common Council and seasonal farmers market, no direct or transient
sales or solicitation shall be allowed on any public street or public
parking lot.
A.
Direct sellers wishing to sell in City parks shall be subject to this chapter and to the requirements of Hudson City Code Chapter 181 and any other applicable City code sections.
B.
Transient sellers and solicitors are prohibited in
City parks, except as approved in conjunction with a special event.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 13-21]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Each individual applying for registration and licensing as
a direct seller, transient merchant or solicitor.
Any benevolent, philanthropic, patriotic or eleemosynary
person, partnership, association or corporation for whom or which
there is provided proof of tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3)
or (4) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
The Clerk of the City of Hudson.
Any person who, individually or for a partnership, association
or corporation, sells goods or services or takes sales orders for
later delivery of goods or services at any location other than the
permanent business place or residence of the individual, partnership,
association or corporation. The sale of goods and services includes
donations requested or required by the direct seller for the retention
of goods or services by a donor or prospective customer.
Includes personal property of any kind and shall include
merchandise, materials, and goods provided incidental to services
offered or sold. The sale of goods includes donations required by
the seller for the retention of goods or services by a donor or prospective
customer.
An event that has been issued a license from the Common Council
in accordance with this chapter.
A direct seller or one representing a merchant who, for at
least six months prior to the submission of an application pursuant
to this chapter, has continuously operated an established place of
business in this City or has continuously resided in this City and
now does business from his/her residence.
Each individual registered by the Clerk.
Any individual who, for him/herself or any other person,
organization, society, association or corporation, personally solicits
money, property or financial assistance of any kind from persons other
than members of such organization, society, association or corporation.
Any individual who engages in the retail sale of goods at
any place in this state temporarily and who does not intend to become
and does not become a permanent merchant of such place. For purposes
of this chapter, sale of merchandise includes a sale in which the
personal services rendered upon or in connection with the merchandise
constitutes the greatest part of value for the price received, but
does not include a farm auction sale of personal property used on
the farm or the sale of produce or other perishable products at retail
or wholesale by a resident of this state.
[Amended 6-16-2008 by Ord. No. 5-08; 8-17-2015 by Ord. No. 8-15; 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 13-21]
The following shall be exempt from all provisions of this chapter:
A.
Any person delivering newspapers, fuel, dairy products or bakery
goods to regular customers on established routes.
B.
Any person selling goods at wholesale to dealers in such goods.
C.
Any person, farmer or gardener selling agricultural products of the farm, orchard or garden occupied or cultivated by such person, except as provided in § 124-7.
D.
Any permanent merchant or employee thereof who takes orders away
from the established place of business for goods regularly offered
for sale by such merchant within this City and who delivers such goods
in his regular course of business.
E.
Any person who has an established place of business where the goods
being sold are offered for sale on a regular basis and in which the
buyer has initiated contact with and specifically requested a home
visit by the person.
F.
Any person who has had, or who represents a company which has had,
a prior business transaction, such as a prior sale or credit arrangement,
with a prospective customer.
G.
Any person holding a sale required by statute or order of any court
and any person conducting a bona fide auction sale pursuant to law.
H.
Any employee, officer, or agent of a charitable organization who
engages in direct sales or solicitations for or on behalf of said
organization, provided that there is submitted to the Clerk proof
that such charitable organization is registered under § 202.12,
Wis. Stats. Any charitable organization engaging in the sale of merchandise
and not registered under § 202.12, Wis. Stats., or which
is exempt from that statute's registration requirements shall be required
to register under this chapter.
I.
Any person selling any goods, services or merchandise at any licensed
events or celebration approved by the Common Council, provided the
person has been approved by the permittee for the event. The permittee
shall provide the City Clerk with a list of approved sellers, including
name, address, business name and items to be sold, no later than 24
hours prior to the event.
A.
Applicants for registration must complete and return
to the Clerk a registration form furnished by the Clerk which shall
require the following information:
(1)
Name, permanent address, telephone number and temporary
address, if any, of each transient merchant, direct seller or solicitor.
(2)
Age, height, weight and color of hair and eyes.
(3)
Name, address and telephone number of the person,
firm, association or corporation that the direct seller, transient
merchant, or solicitor represents or is employed by or whose merchandise
is being sold.
(4)
Temporary address and telephone number from which
sales or solicitations will be conducted, if any.
(5)
Nature of sales or solicitations to be conducted and
a brief description of the goods and/or services offered.
(6)
Proposed dates and times of sales or solicitations.
(7)
Proposed methods of delivery of goods, if applicable.
(8)
Make, model and license number of any vehicle to be
used by the applicant in the conduct of sales or solicitations.
(9)
Last three cities, villages or towns where the applicant
conducted similar sales or solicitations, if applicable.
(10)
For transient merchants, an address and phone number
where the applicant can be contacted for at least seven days after
leaving this City.
(11)
Statement as to whether the applicant has been convicted
of any crime or ordinance violation related to the applicant's sales
or solicitation or other transient merchant activities within the
last five years, the nature of the offense and the place of conviction.
B.
Applicants shall present the following items to the
Clerk for examination:
(1)
A driver's license or some other proof of identity
as may be reasonably required.
(2)
Current sellers permit issued by the Wisconsin Department
of Revenue.
(3)
Proof of liability insurance satisfactory to the City
if the sales activity occurs on City-owned property.
(4)
If the sales activity occurs on private property such
as a stand in a private parking lot or other private property, the
applicant shall provide written permission from the property owner
for the applicant to conduct sales as described in the application.
(5)
Wisconsin certificate of examination and approval
from the sealer of weights and measures where the applicant's business
requires use of weighing and measuring devices approved by state authorities,
if applicable.
(6)
Health inspection certifications, if applicable.
C.
No registration shall be processed until the application
and investigation fees have been paid to the Clerk. Fees for licenses
under this chapter shall be established by the Common Council and
may be adjusted from time to time by the Common Council. The current
fee schedule shall be kept on file in the office of the City Clerk.
[Amended 1-3-2006 by Ord. No. 1-06]
D.
No registration shall be processed until the applicant
signs a statement appointing the Clerk his/her agent to accept service
of process in any civil action brought against the applicant arising
out of any sale, service performed or solicitation activities of the
applicant in the event that the applicant cannot, after reasonable
effort, be served personally.
A.
Transient or direct sellers of produce and related
items, such as vegetables, fruits, dried flowers, cut flowers, plants,
jams, jellies, preserves, bread, herbs, honey, maple syrup, meat and
other perishable products, on City property designated for that purpose
under this chapter shall register with the City Clerk before commencing
sales. The Clerk shall obtain all information and fees required under
this chapter.
[Amended 7-21-2003 by Ord. No. 6-03]
B.
Location. The Common Council may designate a City-owned
parking lot or portion thereof to be used as a farmers market for
the months May through October. The parking lot currently used for
the farmers market is located at the "North Parking Lot" at the corner
of Second Street and Vine Street. The Common Council may, by resolution,
change the location of the farmers market as needed.
C.
Farmers market operation.
[Amended 7-21-2003 by Ord. No. 6-03]
(1)
Stalls shall be available on a daily first-come, first-served
basis.
(2)
Market hours shall be Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. The Common Council may, by resolution, determine different
hours of operation.
(3)
Each vendor shall be responsible for his/her area
and shall keep the area free of litter and debris. Vendors shall remove
all equipment, displays and sale items from the market at the close
of the day.
D.
General parking will not be allowed in the west half
of the parking lot (North Parking Lot) during farmers market hours.
The Common Council may, by resolution, change the parking regulations
of the farmers market lot as needed.
[Added 7-21-2003 by Ord. No. 6-03]
A.
Upon receipt of a completed registration application,
the Clerk shall immediately refer it to the Chief of Police to conduct
an investigation. To the extent possible, within five working days
the Chief of Police shall return the application to the Clerk with
his endorsement approving or disapproving the application.
B.
The Clerk shall refuse to register the applicant if
the investigation shows any of the following:
(1)
The application contains any material omission or
materially inaccurate statement.
(2)
Complaints of a material nature have been received
against the applicant by authorities in any of the last three cities,
villages or towns in which the applicant conducted similar business.
(3)
The applicant was convicted of a crime, statutory
violation or ordinance violation within the last five years, the nature
of which is directly related to the applicant's fitness to engage
in direct selling or solicitation.
(4)
The applicant failed to comply with any applicable
provision of this chapter.
C.
Registration shall be denied if the applicant is delinquent
in payment of any taxes, assessments, forfeitures for violations of
City ordinances, or other claims owed to the City.
[Added 5-19-2008 by Ord. No. 3-08[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated
former Subsection C as Subsection D.
D.
Appeal. Any person denied application for registration
may appeal such action by filing with the Common Council, within 14
days after written notice of the denial, a written statement requesting
a hearing and setting forth the grounds for the appeal. The Common
Council shall set a time and place for the hearing. Written notice
of the time and place of the hearing shall be given to the applicant
at least 72 hours prior to the time set for the hearing.
[Amended 2-6-2023 by Ord. No. 4-23]
A.
Upon compliance with the foregoing requirements as set forth in this chapter, investigation, and payment of the fees set forth under the current fee schedule on file in the office of the Clerk, the Clerk shall register the applicant as a direct seller, transient merchant or solicitor. The applicant shall sign and date the application form, acknowledging receipt of a copy of Chapter 124 of the Hudson Municipal Code.
B.
Such registration shall contain the signature of the Clerk, the name
and address of the direct seller, transient merchant or solicitor,
the type of goods or services being sold or the nature of the solicitation,
the date of registration and the license number of any vehicles used
for sales or solicitation.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 13-21]
A.
Prohibited practices.
(1)
A direct seller, transient merchant or solicitor shall be prohibited
from:
(a)
Calling at any dwelling or other place between the hours of
8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., except by appointment.
(b)
Calling at any dwelling or other place where a sign is displayed
bearing the word "No Peddlers," "No Solicitors" or words of similar
meaning.
(c)
Calling at the rear door of any dwelling place.
(2)
A direct seller, transient merchant or solicitor shall not misrepresent
or make false, deceptive or misleading statements concerning the quality,
quantity or character of any goods or services offered for sale, the
purpose of his/her visit, his/her identity or the identity of the
organization he/she represents. A direct seller or transient merchant
representing a charitable or religious organization shall specifically
disclose what portion of the sale price of goods being offered will
actually be used for the charitable or religious purpose for which
the individual is soliciting. The portion shall be expressed as a
percentage of the sales price of the goods or services.
(3)
No direct seller, transient merchant or solicitor shall impede the free use of sidewalks and streets by pedestrians and vehicles. No sales shall occur on public sidewalks or streets except as approved by Common Council in conjunction with licensed events. Direct or transient sellers for sales in parks are required to register under this section and also comply with Hudson City Code Chapter 181 and any other applicable sections of the Hudson City Code.
(4)
No direct seller, transient merchant or solicitor shall make any
loud noises or use any sound-amplifying device to attract customers
or donors if the noise produced is capable of being plainly heard
outside a 100-foot radius of the source.
(5)
No direct seller, transient merchant or solicitor shall allow rubbish
or litter to accumulate in or around the area in which he/she is conducting
business or making sales or solicitations.
B.
Disclosure requirements.
(1)
After the initial greeting and before any other statement is made
to a prospective customer or donor, a direct seller, transient merchant
or solicitor shall expressly disclose his/her name, the name of the
company or organization he/she is affiliated with, if any, and identify
the goods or services he/she offers to sell and shall show the registration
issued by the City to the prospective customer or donor.
(2)
If the direct seller, transient merchant or solicitor takes a sales
order for the later delivery of goods, he/she shall, at the time the
order is taken, provide the buyer with a written statement containing
the terms of the agreement, the amount paid in advance, whether full,
partial or no advance payment is made, the name, address and telephone
number of the seller, the delivery or performance date and whether
a guaranty or warranty is provided and, if so, the terms thereof.
(3)
If any sale of goods is made by a direct seller, transient merchant,
or solicitor or any offer for the later delivery of merchandise is
taken by the seller, the buyer shall have the right to cancel said
transaction if it involves the extension of credit or is a cash transaction
of more than $25 in accordance with the procedure set forth in Ch.
423, Wis. Stats. The seller shall give the buyer two copies of a typed
or printed notice of that fact. Such notice shall conform to the requirements
of Ch. 423, Wis. Stats.
The Chief of Police shall report to the Clerk
all convictions for violations of this chapter, and the Clerk shall
note any such violation on the record of the registrant convicted.
The Clerk shall note any complaint or report of an alleged violation
made by a resident of this City or a police officer.
A.
Registration may be revoked by the Common Council
after notice and hearing under the following circumstances:
(1)
The registrant made any material omission or materially
inaccurate statement in the application for registration;
(2)
The registrant made any fraudulent, false, deceptive
or misleading statement or representation in the course of engaging
in transient or direct sales or solicitation;
(3)
The registrant violates any provision of Hudson City
Code related to sales;
(4)
The registrant was convicted of any crime or ordinance
or statutory violation which is directly related to the registrant's
fitness to engage in direct selling or solicitations;
(5)
Any other conduct by the registrant which the Council
finds to jeopardize the public health, safety, and welfare.
B.
Written notice of the hearing shall be served personally
on the registrant at least 72 hours prior to the time set for the
hearing. Such notice shall contain the time and place of hearing and
a statement of the acts or omissions upon which the hearing will be
based.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, word,
or phrase of this chapter is found by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid, unenforceable, or unconstitutional, the validity of
the remaining sections shall not be affected thereby.
It is the intention of the Common Council and
it is hereby provided that the provisions of this chapter shall be
made part of the Code of the City of Hudson, and that the sections
of this chapter be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intention;
and that the word "ordinance" may be changed to "section," "article,"
or other appropriate designation.
This chapter shall be effective upon adoption
and publication as provided by law.
