Home Solicitation Permit – Frequently Asked Questions

A home solicitation sale is a door-to-door sale, lease, or rental of consumer goods or services with a purchase price of more than $25.00.

Any adult conducting home solicitation sales as defined in Section 501.021, Florida Statues or supervising minors to conduct such sales must obtain a valid permit.

The following are not required to obtain a permit per Section 501.022(1)(b), Florida Statues:

• Bona fide agents, business representatives, or salespersons making calls or soliciting orders at the usual place of business of a customer regarding products or services for use in connection with the customer’s business.
• Solicitors, salespersons, or agents making a call or business visit upon the express invitation, oral or written, of an inhabitant of the premises or her or his agent.
• Telephone solicitors, salespersons, or agents making calls which involve transactions that are unsolicited by the consumer and consummated by telephone and without any other contact between the buyer and the seller or its representative prior to delivery of the goods or performance of the services. 
• Solicitors, salespersons, or agents conducting a sale, lease, or rental of consumer goods or services by sample, catalog, or brochure for future delivery.
• Minors, as defined in s. 1.01(13), conducting home solicitation sales under the supervision of an adult supervisor who holds a valid home solicitation sale permit. Minors excluded from operation of this section must, however, carry personal identification which includes their full name, date of birth, residence address, and employer and the name and permit number of their adult supervisor.
• Those sellers or their representatives that are currently regulated as to the sale of goods and services by chapter 475 or chapter 497.
• Solicitors, salespersons, or agents making calls or soliciting orders on behalf of a religious, charitable, scientific, educational, or veterans’ institution or organization holding a sales tax exemption certificate under s. 212.08(7).

Home solicitation permits are valid for one (1) year from the issue date.

A municipal permit may be required for sales within city limits. Please contact the municipality where home solicitation sales will occur regarding the permitting requirements.

Review the home solicitation permit application packet for details on the requirements.

Refer to the fee chart for home solicitation application fees. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also requires a Criminal History Record Check fee. Click here for information on this fee. The law enforcement agency performing LIVESCAN fingerprinting may also require a fee.

Pursuant to Section 501.022(4), Florida Statues, the Clerk of the Circuit Court may revoke, suspend, or deny the issuance of any home solicitation sale permit if it is determined that an applicant or permitholder has:

• Been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime against the laws of this state or any other state or the United States, involving moral turpitude, fraudulent or dishonest dealing, or the illegal use or sale of a controlled substance, or been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a violation of any of the provisions of ss. 501.021-501.055.
• Has obtained a permit by fraud, false statement, misrepresentation, or failure to truthfully answer any question in the required permit application.
• Has failed to obtain required county or municipal occupational licenses.
• Has failed in any material respect to comply with the provisions of ss. 501.021-501.055.

Processing times vary. However, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Sheriff’s Office have up to sixty (60) days to return the fingerprint analysis/local background investigation results to this office.

The permit will be a laminated identification card bearing the permitholder’s photograph and additional identifying information.

Permitholders who change their address or name by marriage or otherwise shall notify the Clerk’s Office in writing within fifteen (15) days. The written notification must include the former name/ address, the new name/address, and the permit number.

Permit renewals must repeat the same process for initial applications. To ensure your permit does not expire before a new one is issued, please return to our office at least sixty (60) days before the expiration date to submit your renewal application. You WILL NOT receive notification from this office when your permit expires.

Local law enforcement agencies enforce home solicitation laws.

Under Section 501.55, Florida Statutes, penalties range from misdemeanor in the first degree to felony in the third degree.

Sections 501.021 – 501.055, Florida Statues, provide information on home solicitation sales.