Tax and License

Vendor Permit

Peddlers, Solicitors and Itinerant Vendors

Selma, Alabama Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16 Article IX: Peddlers, Solicitors and Itinerant Vendors

Definition

A canvasser or solicitor is defined as any person, whether or not a resident of the city, traveling either by foot, wagon, automobile, motor truck, bicycle, or any other type of conveyance from place to place, from house to house, or from street to street, taking or attempting to take orders for sale of goods, wares and merchandise, personal property of any kind whatsoever for future delivery or for services to be furnished or performed in the future, whether or not such person has, carries or exposes for sale a sample of the subject of such sale or whether such person is collecting advance payments on such sale or not; or soliciting any contributions, monies, goods, wares or tangible personal property of any kind or nature; provided that such definition shall further include any person, who for such person’s self, or for another person, hires, leases, uses or occupies any building, structure, tent, hotel room, lodging house, apartment, shop, or any other place within the city for the sole purpose of exhibiting samples and taking orders for future deliveries or for the solicitation for contributions of any kind in any form whatsoever. 

Permit and license required

It shall be unlawful for any solicitor or canvasser as defined herein to engage in such business or activity within the corporate limits of the city without first obtaining a permit and license therefor in compliance with the provisions of this section.

Investigation and permit and license denial or issuance: No license or permit shall be issued on a date less than twenty (20) days from the date of the application requesting such license and permit.

Reports of sales:

All transient merchants shall make a verified report of sales to the City of Selma city clerk within seven (7) days of the close of business.

Prohibited acts: 

It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or canvass within the city limits prior to 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m., prevailing time, including Saturdays and Sundays.

Duty of police to enforce

It shall be the duty of any police officer of the city to require any person seen soliciting or canvassing and who is not known by such officer to be duly licensed, to produce such person’s solicitor’s or canvasser’s license and permit to enforce the provisions of this section against any person found to be violating the same.

Penalty:

Any violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punished as set forth as follows:

  • 1st offense: fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00)
  • 2nd offense: fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00)
  • 3rd offense: fine of fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500.00)
  • All offenses thereafter will be treated as separate offenses and penalized as a 3rd offense for each additional offense.

 

Forms

Application for Vendors, Solicitors, and Peddlers

Inspections

Inspection: In accordance with Chapter 16 of the Selma Alabama code of Ordinance, an inspection of the business is required. To schedule the inspection, please email or call the number for the respective department to request scheduling of the inspection.

Building Inspection:     Email – bldginspections@selma-al.gov     Phone: 334-876-1210      
Fire Inspection:             Email – firedept@selma-al.gov                Phone: 334-876-1190
Health Inspection:        Email –                                                  Phone: 334-872-5887
Police:                            Email – jdavison@selma-al.gov               Phone: 334-876-1260
Pre-Inspection:             Email: taxsupport@selma-al.gov             Phone: 334-876-1223

Payments

  • Methods: Credit Card, Check, Cash
  • Mail: PO Box 450 Selma, AL 36702
  • Phone: (334) 876-1223

Contact Information

Return to Tax and License

Terri Barnes-Smith

Terri Barnes-Smith

Interim Tax Collector

Contact

Address:

Tax & License 
222 Broad Street
Selma, AL 36701

Hours:

Monday-Friday
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Phone

(334) 876-1223

Email

taxsupport@selma-al.gov

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