After hearing a first reading last week, the city of Fultondale adopted new laws today for door-to-door sales people.

All “peddlers and itinerant dealers” are now required to purchase a business license from city hall. Licenses for people in that category are $10 a day or $30 for a calendar week.

“That way we know who’s (in the city) and the hours they’ll be working,” said city inspector Ed Hawkins.

The ordinance, which goes into effect today, states that its purpose is to increase the safety of citizens, who “have the right to be secure from unwanted intrusion into their privacy.”

Hawkins said the Alabama Supreme Court will not allow cities to ban door-to-door sales people altogether. But he added that if residents want to eliminate peddlers, they should place “no soliciting” signs in plain view near their front doors.

“It can even be a hand-made sign,” he said. “That is a warning that you don’t want them there. If you display that and (peddlers) still knock on your door, they’re trespassing.”

In that case, Hawkins said, residents should call the Fultondale Police Department to report trespassers.

Some subdivisions, such as Chapel Hills, have placed “no trespassing” signs at main entrances. Hawkins said those signs are also sufficient, and that residents should call the police if sales people knock on their doors.

The ordinance affects residential property only; not businesses.