Residents occasionally contact City staff with concerns about door-to door salespeople in their neighborhoods. While many salespeople are doing legitimate business, scammers and criminals sometimes use door-to-door visits as a way to target potential victims.

To help protect residents, all door-to-door salespeople In Walla Walla must carry a City of Walla Walla Peddlers License. This license provides several safeguards, ensuring that: 

• The City is aware this company is canvassing our neighborhoods;
• The business has a current City of Walla Walla endorsement on its state-issued business license; and
• The sales team has undergone background checks for added security. 

The Peddlers License looks like this:

Any resident has the right to request the salesperson produce their City-issued license, and to report those who do not have one.

What should you do if a door-to-door salesperson doesn't have a City-issued peddlers license?

To report an unlicensed door-to-door salesperson, call the 24/7 nonemergency line for the city/county 911 Dispatch Center at 509-527-1960. Let the dispatch operator know what company is canvassing your neighborhood and where your neighborhood is. The earlier the information is forwarded to the Code Enforcement officer, the greater chance she has to speak to the sales team and notify them of the licensing requirement.

My company would like to sell products door to door in Walla Walla. How do I obtain a Peddlers License?

Licensing is issued through the Development Services Department. The process includes a applications for a Peddlers License and a business license. 

The "Business Registration - Peddler/Hawker" application form is available for download from the City website. A police background check is completed upon submittal.

Each peddler/hawker proposing to do business in Walla Walla must submit their own application form, and a background check fee of $75 is required with each application submitted. The City of Walla Walla also requires an annual business license.

For more information, contact Development Services at permits@wallawallawa.gov or 509-524-4710.

Where can I find out if a business has a valid Washington state license?

You can search for business licenses, tax accounts, and reseller permits by visiting the Washington State Department of Revenue website and clicking on "Business Lookup."