Peddlers, Solicitors, & Transient Merchants

The City of Cottage Grove requires anyone traveling place-to-place attempting to sell goods or services, or temporarily setting up a stationary sales location, to register or obtain a license from the City of Cottage Grove. 

Peddlers and Solicitors

You must apply for, receive, and carry on your person a registration certificate or license certificate (PDF) before you can go door-to-door or sell products from a vehicle.

Registrations and licenses are issued to the company that will ultimately be providing the goods or services, and individuals going door-to-door on behalf of the company will be listed on the company's registration or license certificate. An authorized company representative should complete a single application and attach a copy of each individual's photo ID and each individual's completed General Authorization and Release of Private Data form (last page of application - copy as needed).

Turn in Application

The completed application, attachments, and fee made payable to the City of Cottage Grove (if applicable) should be submitted to:
City of Cottage Grove
ATTN: Business Licensing
12800 Ravine Parkway S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Exemptions

  • No license shall be required for a non-commercial advocate (political, religious, or others exercising their right of free speech).
  • No license shall be required for any child under the age of 18 to sell or attempt to sell goods or services when such child represents their own school, church, or other civic organization to which they belong. Examples include schools, churches, scouting organizations, parent-teacher organizations, and local athletic associations.
  • No license shall be required for a person attempting to sell the products of a farm or garden occupied and cultivated by themselves.

Resident Information

While the City generally cannot prohibit people from trying to sell you something, you have the right to prohibit them by posting a No Peddlers or Solicitors sign (PDF), by telling them you are not interested, or by simply not answering the door. Always use caution when opening your door to individuals you don't know or companies you haven't initiated contact with.

A peddler or solicitor may not attempt to do business where a resident had posted a No Peddlers or Solicitors sign. You can download a No Peddlers or Solicitors sign (PDF) or create your own. The sign should be of sufficient size and with sufficient lettering to be clearly visible in a location at the primary entrance to the structure.

Rules

  • A peddler or solicitor may not remain on your property after you ask them to leave or you indicate you aren't interested in doing business with them.
  • A peddler or solicitor may not conduct business in a manner that a reasonable person would find obscene, threatening, intimidating or abusive.
  • A peddler or solicitor may not go door-to-door earlier than 10 am or later than 8 pm.

Report

Report violators by calling the Police Department Dispatch at 911.

Licenses

With a few exceptions, companies and individuals must be licensed or registered with the City and carry a copy of their certificate when they go door-to-door (exceptions include persons disseminating information considered to be protected free speech, which may including fundraising, or certain sales by persons under 18 years of age, such as Girl Scout cookies). While licensed or registered companies and individuals undergo basic background checks, this shouldn't be considered an endorsement of the products or services they're selling. Always take appropriate precautions whenever you enter into a business transaction. Read and understand anything you are about to sign. Never let someone pressure you.

Transient Merchants

A transient merchant is a person who temporarily sets up business at a stationary location attempting to sell goods or services.

The completed application and fee made payable to the City of Cottage Grove should be submitted to:
City of Cottage Grove
ATTN: Business Licensing
12800 Ravine Parkway S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Incomplete applications cannot be processed and will be returned. Download an application (PDF).

Questions?

Please email cityadmin@cottagegrovemn.gov or call 651-458-2878.

See our City Code regulating Peddlers, Solicitors, and Transient Merchants.