Title
AN ORDINANCE prohibiting certain door-to-door solicitations; adding a new chapter to K.C.C. Title 12 and prescribing penalties.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. Currently, property owners and residents in unincorporated King County who post "No Solicitation" or "No Trespassing" signs have no effective way of enforcing this request because no county ordinance restricts the activities of solicitors.
2. Law enforcement and neighborhood groups report that solicitors using aggressive tactics have intimidated and harassed residents and sometimes created fear in neighborhoods, particularly among immigrant cultures and retirement communities where residents might be more vulnerable.
3. King County law enforcement agencies have identified some door-to-door solicitors who appear to have used their access to private property as an opportunity to engage in criminal activity. For example, police reports indicate that individuals apparently engaged in door-to-door solicitation use their access to determine if a residence is occupied before burglarizing a home.
4. Police reports in recent years also indicate that door-to-door solicitation has been connected to a growing number of complaints and incidents in unincorporated King County of criminal activity such as scams collecting money for products or services that are not delivered.
5. Residences in the unincorporated areas are more vulnerable to criminal activity connected to door-to-door solicitation because low-density neighborhoods have fewer witnesses to criminal activity.
6. For residents posting "No Solicitation" or "No Trespassing" signs on their property, this ordinance will provide law enforcement officers with a new tool to respond to and address complaints, with the intent of deterring criminal activities and assisting residents in protecting themselves and their property.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Sections 2 through 5 of this ordinance should constitute a new chapter in K.C.C. Title 12.
NEW SECTION. SECTION 2. If a person has not been requested or invited by the occupant, the person shall not enter or remain upon any private premises for the purpose of contacting the occupant to solicit the immediate or future purchase or sale of goods, services or any other thing of value if a sign stating "No Solicitation" or "No Trespassing" is posted at or near the entrance to the premises.
NEW SECTION. SECTION 3. The following are exempted from the prohibitions in section 2 of this ordinance
A. The leaving at private premises printed materials advertising products or services;
B. Solicitations by organizations that are charitable, nonprofit, religious or political in nature, or by government agencies; and
C. Solicitations by farmers exempted under chapter 36.71.090 RCW.
NEW SECTION. SECTION 4. The sheriff shall enforce this ordinance, through means including but not limited to K.C.C. Title 23.
NEW SECTION. SECTION 5. A violation of this chapter is a class 2 civil infraction punishable under chapter 7.80 RCW.
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10 days prior, official paper
Newspaper: Seattle Times
Publish: Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Public Hearing: October 3, 2011