Foley residents will soon have more control over commercial door-to-door solicitation under new city regulations taking effect Oct. 30.

The Foley City Council approved new requirements for commercial solicitors, including permits, background checks, city-issued identification badges, business licensing requirements and limits on solicitation hours.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said Foley officials have been working for several months on regulations that protect residents’ privacy while also respecting free speech. Representatives of local homeowners associations have also told city officials that their members want more options to regulate commercial solicitation in their neighborhoods.

“Solicitation has always been one of those areas between freedom of speech and the rights of privacy for the citizens,” Hellmich said. “I want to commend our staff. They worked very hard on this to balance the positive and the negative. I really appreciate the efforts.”

Under the new regulations, commercial solicitors must complete an application through the Foley Revenue Department, identify the business they represent and undergo a background check at their own expense. The company represented by the solicitor must also have a valid Foley business license.

Once approved, solicitors will receive a city-issued permit badge displaying their identification and the company they represent. Commercial solicitors must display the badge while soliciting and may only visit homes between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

No Solicitation Registry gives residents an opt-out option

The ordinance also establishes a No Solicitation Registry for residents and residential communities that do not want commercial solicitors visiting their properties.

Individual residents will be able to register their address through the city’s online Citizenserve portal. Homeowners associations may also request that an entire subdivision be added to the registry.

Commercial solicitors must avoid properties listed on the registry, honor posted “No Soliciting” signs and leave immediately when asked by a resident.

Violations may result in warnings, citations, permit revocation and additional enforcement against businesses that repeatedly fail to comply.

The regulations apply specifically to commercial solicitation. They do not apply to noncommercial activities such as political, religious or qualifying charitable canvassing.

For more information about Foley’s commercial solicitation regulations, contact the City of Foley Revenue Department at 251-943-1545.