Missouri City will enforce tighter solicitation rules as officials said enforcement challenges, public safety concerns and administrative inefficiencies have triggered a need for a new approach.
The big picture
At a Feb. 16 meeting, Missouri City City Council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance regulating solicitation-related activities. Council previously voted 6-0 to pass the first reading of the ordinance at a Feb. 2 meeting, with District D council member Floyd Emery absent.
Zooming in
The ordinance—which would apply to any person going door-to-door for commercial purposes—could tighten solicitation rules, including prohibiting solicitation between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., according to agenda documents.
Other key changes in the ordinance include:
- Reducing applicant registration from 180 days to 90 days
- Introducing a $1,000 surety bond to protect residents from fraud, nonperformance or misrepresentation
- Allowing permit denial or revocation based on criminal history, deceptive trade practices or determinations related to public health, safety or welfare
- Creating a nonrefundable registration fee
- Setting escalating minimum fines for violations
- Eliminating the appeal process
