Legal Question in Constitutional Law in Iowa

door-to-door advertising/solicitation laws for a small business

We are a small business and we advertise using what we call registrations. We sign people up for a free drawing that our company holds. When we go door to door, we sometimes have a run in with the law. My question is concerning our rights to distribute advertising propaganda in Iowa. We do not sell anything to our customers by knocking on doors. we schedule appointments with the customer when we call them if they win to see our product. Does this fall under the first ammendmant or do we need to submit ourselves to each cities seperate solicitaion laws?


Asked on 5/28/02, 12:38 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: door-to-door advertising/solicitation laws for a small business

Many towns have a Green River ordinance which regulates sales solicitations by non-resident vendors. These ordinances have been upheld as legal means to control carpet baggers and ensure the public peace and safety. They must be complied with to stay on the right side of the law. It is not a First Amendment issue.

Read more
Answered on 5/28/02, 2:56 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Constitutional Law questions and answers in Iowa