Councilmembers Schipske & O'Donnell Seek To Enable Residents To Put Up "No Soliciting" Signs, Backed by City Law, That Would Prohibit <nobr>Door-To-Door</nobr> Contacts And Create "No Soliciting" City Registry

(May 15, 2012) -- Long Beach residents would be able to put up "no trespassing" or "no solicitation" signs -- backed by the force of city law -- that would prohibit door-to-door solicitations (commercial or non-commercial) and prohibit the placement of handbills, fliers or other materials at residences displaying such signs, and could list themselves in a "no soliciting" registry telling commercial firms they don't want to be solicited, under an item agendized by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, joined by Councilman Patrick O'Donnell, at tonight's (May 15) City Council meeting.

The agenda item asks the City Attorney to revise LB's coes to include provisions that require commercial solicitors to display a license, permit and identification, require that handbills contain contact information on the person or group responsible for distributing them, as well implementing the provisions on "no solicitation" signs and creating a "no solicitation" residential registry.

In an agendizing memo, Councilmembers Schipske and O'Donnell say that "several cities have enacted laws giving their residents options for dealing with solicitors and handbills on their property" of the type they recommend, and they say "The City of Long Beach has a legitimate interest in protecting its residents from the invasion of privacy at their residences by unwanted solicitors or their advertising materials." They recommend that the city "update its code concerning licenses and permits and regulations concerning door-to-door solicitors and the placement of handbills on private property, in order to increase this protection."

To view the full agendizing memo, click here.

If a Council majority agrees, the changes drafted by the City Attorney would (we presume) return to the Council in several weeks for enacting votes.

UPDATE: Ann Cantrell notes in a Facebook:

"The City of Long Beach already provides these doorknob signs for residents. Just go to litterfreeLB.org and order one. It will be mailed to your house. I did this a few weeks ago and have had only ONE ad left on my doorstep since! These are magic!"

LitterfreeLB.org indicates it's collecting information from residents on door to door solicitations.

The item tonight by Councilmembers Schipske and O'Donnell proposes to go a step further and put the force of city law (enforcement) behind the signs.