HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-0032 - 2026-02-24 - Informal ReportINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 26-0032
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
February 24, 2026
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DOOR-TO-DOOR VENDOR REGULATIONS
This Informal Report (IR) provides additional information on the City of Fort Worth's Door -to -Door
Vendor Ordinance as well as staff's proposed amendments to the regulations. This information
follows discussions by the City Council on June 4, 2024 (IR 24-1862 — Response to Questions
Related to Door -to -Door Vendor Regulations) and August 15, 2023 (IR 23-0732 — Background on
Door -to -Door Vendor Regulations).
The objectives of the Door -to -Door Vendor Ordinance (Ordinance) are: (1) to promote the general
health, public safety and welfare, as well as the comfort, convenience and protection of the City
and its residents by prohibiting door-to-door activity at residences during times when such activity
is most intrusive and disruptive to a resident's privacy; (2) to regulate the manner in which any
solicitation activities may occur; (3) to promote good order and protect residents from aggressive
and intimidating practices; and (4) to require solicitors to register with the City to aid in crime
detection and deter deceptive practices and fraud.
Below are responses to the most recent City Council questions and concerns, as well as
recommended amendments to the current regulations:
1. Confirmation of Enforcement of Ordinance Requirements: The Police Department is
responsible for enforcement of the Ordinance. When a citizen calls or uses the MyFWApp
to report a violation, police officers respond to determine if a violation occurred. The
responding officer will verify if the solicitor has a valid registration and may issue citations
and/or warnings depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
2. Registration Fee, Background Check and Required Identification: Currently, vendor
registration is valid for six months, there is no registration fee charged, no background check
conducted and no identification badge issued. Staff recommend extending the registration
period to one year and establishing a registration fee of $150 to cover the cost of
administering the program to include processing the application, conducting a background
check, and issuing an identification badge that will be required to be worn by vendor in the
conduct of door-to-door activities.
3. Civic Organizations: A request was made to exclude "civic organizations" from the
requirements of the recommended amendments to the Ordinance. Upon consultation with
the City Attorney's Office, staff recommend amending the Ordinance to exclude minors from
the recommended requirements to be adopted, which would allow minors with organizations
such as Scouts to conduct fundraising activities.
4. Holiday Restriction: Current allowable solicitation hours are 9 AM — 7 PM CST and 9 AM
— 8PM during daylight savings time. Staff recommend that the Ordinance be amended to
prohibit solicitation activities on City of Fort Worth observed holidays.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 26-0032
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
February 24, 2026
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DOOR-TO-DOOR VENDOR REGULATIONS
Summary of Recommendations
If the City Council would like to proceed with an updated Door -to -Door Vendor Ordinance,
Development Services staff will work with the City Attorney's Office to draft an ordinance to make
the following amendments to the door-to-door vendor regulations, as explained above:
1) Extend the registration period to one-year;
2) Establish a $150 registration fee;
3) Conduct an annual background check;
4) Require vendors to wear City -issued identification;
5) Prohibit soliciting on City -observed holidays; and
6) Exempt minors from the requirements of the Ordinance
For questions regarding this information, please contact Development Services Deputy Director
Jennifer Mollenshott, iennifer.mollenshott(a-)fortworthtexas.go� or Development Services Assistant
Director Janie Scarlett Morales, ianie.moralesafortworthtexas.Qov.
Jesus "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS