11/29/2017
TOWN OF ESSEX
LICENSING PROCEDURES FOR SOLICITORS, VENDORS,
HAWKERS, AND PEDDLERS
Licensing procedures for solicitors, vendors, hawkers and peddlers is determined by Town
Ordinances. A separate application is required for each salesperson, to be accompanied by an
applicable fee ($200) paid in cash or check.
A hawker or peddler is a person, whether principal or agent, who goes from place to place selling or
bartering, or carrying for sale or barter, or exposing therefore, any goods, wares of merchandise,
either on foot or from any animal or vehicle. See Connecticut General Statutes §21-36.
No license is required for the following:
a. A person that does not fall under the definition of a solicitor, vendor, hawker or peddler;
b. For activities which come within constitutionally protected free speech and/or political
advocacy. However, rights under those activities may be governed and/or restricted by other
laws, such as those prohibiting trespass on private property;
c. Sales by farmers and gardeners of the produce of their farms, gardens and greenhouses,
including fruit, vegetables and flowers, or to the sale, distribution and delivery of milk, teas,
coffees, spices, groceris, meats and bakery goods, to sales on approval, to conditional sales of
merchandise, or to the taking of orders for merchandise for future delivery when full payment
is not required at the time of solicitation. See General Statute §21-37.
Any application involving food vending to the public must be forwarded to the Health Department
for review/approval prior to action by the First Selectman.
Every application should be submitted two (2) weeks in advance of the date the applicant wishes to
begin, together with the fee established by Ordinance. The fee at this time is $200
.
Under Connecticut General Statutes, no license application fee is required for the following:
a. An application for a limited solicitor, vendor, hawker and peddler license by an person,
organization, society or association of a charitable, religious, patriotic, philanthropic or
community nature;
b. An resident of the state of Connecticut, who has resided within the state for a period of two (2)
years next preceding the date of application for such license, and is a veteran who served in
time of war, as defined in Connecticut General Statutes §21-36.
No such license shall be issued to any person who has not obtained a permit to engage or transact
business as a seller within the State of Connecticut in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes
§12-409.