Warmer temperatures often mean unwelcome salesmen on our front doorsteps. Whether they’re selling magazines, perfumes or produce, there’s a chance traveling solicitors will make a stop on your block in the coming months. And while most of us probably never give it much thought, the city has guidelines and tips for homeowners when it comes to unwanted neighborhood solicitors.

What are some of the basic restrictions that door-to-door solicitors must follow in our city?

Sign up for our newsletter

* indicates required

All solicitors must carry a permit and should be able to show it to you if you ask to see it. Solicitors also can’t go to any homes before 9 a.m. or 30 minutes after sunset of any day, Monday through Saturday. And they can’t solicit at all on a Sunday, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas.

So what should homeowners do if they don’t want any door-to-door solicitations?

Those who want to stop solicitations at their home must display a sign that reads “No Solicitors” near the main entrance of their home. It must be displayed in a highly visible, obvious place, and the sign must be at least 3-by-4 inches in size, and the letters on the sign must be at least two-thirds of an inch in height. If any solicitors ignore this sign, you can report it to 311 because that solicitor is in violation of a city ordinance.

And are there any exceptions to that ordinance?

Yes, there is one exemption to the ordinance.  A person holding a charitable solicitation permit while engaging in the charitable solicitation is exempt.

Telemarketers also can be a big annoyance. What restrictions are put on phone solicitors?

In regard to telephone solicitations, solicitors are only allowed to call between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and never on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas.

And how can someone stop phone solicitations?

You can add your home phone or cell phone number to the national “Do Not Call Registry” by visiting DoNotCall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. It’s also a good idea for to also add numbers to the Texas “Do Not Call Registry.” You can also do this online by visiting TexasNoCall.com or by calling 1-866-896-6225. And if telemarketers continue to call after registering, you can file complaints at either one of these websites or phone numbers.

Where can residents find more information about what solicitors can and cannot do?

Anyone interested in learning more about this issue can visit the city’s website at DallasCityHall.com and read section 42-17 of the Dallas City Code.