Unwanted Solicitation and Handbills at Your Home and Office?^[1]
Stop the Madness!

City of Plano Website

The City has an ordinance prohibiting solicitation if a property owner has a posted sign. A violation of this ordinance is a Class C misdemeanor and may result in a fine up to $500.00. Many solicitation problems are effectively handled when the citizen takes the following steps.

Step 1: You must post a sign on your property stating that soliciting is prohibited. Many people place this sign in the area near or at the front porch or door. Remember, to be in compliance with the City Ordinance, the sign must:

• Be in a conspicuous place!
• The waterproof sign must be at least 3" by 4" in size with words to the effect: "No Solicitation of Handbills".
• Letters on the sign must be at least 2/3" in height.

You may make or buy your own sign. The City sells solicitation signs for $17.00 at the City Store.

YOU'VE DONE THE ABOVE AND THOSE PESKY HANDBILLS AND SOLICITATORS ARE STILL APPEARING

Sometimes, posting a sign is not enough to deter solicitors. If you are still getting unwanted handbills or solicitors, it is time for you to file a Citizen's Application for Solicitation Complaint with the Plano Prosecutor.

Step 2: The complaint process is fairly simple and a Citizen's Application for a Solicitation Complaint form can be obtained by:

• Going online at www.planotx.org.
• Calling 972-941-2056 and asking that an Application be mailed, faxed or emailed to you.
• Stopping in the Prosecution office located at 900 E 15th Street during business hours.

Important: A separate written Application for a Solicitation Complaint must be filled out for each offense AND the actual handbill, with the date it was left, must be attached to the Application. Because this is a crime, the Application must be notarized. If you do not have access to a notary, you can come to the Prosecutor's Office and one of the staff will notarize your signature.

STEP 3: Drop off or mail the notarized Application, with the handbill attached, to the Prosecution Office. Physical address is: 900 E. 15th Street, Suite 220, Plano, TX 75074, and mailing address is: P. O. Box 860358, Plano, TX 75086-0358.

Many of these cases are resolved without the need for a trial. In the unlikely event that a trial is required, you will need to come to court to testify about your problem. It is also recommended a picture of the no solicitation sign and its placement on the premises be provided. Staff will take all reasonable steps to prepare you for this process.

If you have any questions on solicitation, please call the City Attorney's Prosecution Office at 972-941-2056.