CHAPTER 820
Charitable Solicitations and Distributions
820.01 Definitions.
820.02 Solicitation permit and identification card required.
820.03 Permit application.
820.04 Conditions for nonissuance of permits.
820.05 Cancellation of permits.
820.06 Distribution permit required.
820.07 Appeals.
820.08 Issuance of permits and identification cards.
820.09 Hours of operation; conduct.
820.10 Effective period of permits; renewals.
820.11 Exceptions to chapter.
820.99 Penalty.
CROSS REFERENCES:
Authority to regulate peddling - see 1st Class §1502-XXIV
Billposting and handbills - see B. R. & T. 810.02
Peddlers and auctioneers - see B. R. & T. Ch. 860
Seasonal vendors, peddlers and other sellers - see B. R. & T. Ch. 866
As used in this chapter:
(a) “Charitable organization” means any person, firm, group, partnership, corporation or association whose avowed purpose and object is to benefit, assist, aid and further the following causes:
(1) Philanthropy;
(2) Assistance to persons who are poor, impoverished, destitute, underprivileged, needy, diseased, injured, crippled, disabled, handicapped or in need of physical or mental rehabilitation;
(3) Churches, religious societies or other religious sects, groups or orders espousing spiritual and altruistic motives or conduct;
(4) The teaching of patriotism, or promoting relief and assistance to the nation’s war veterans;
(5) Beneficial education of the mind or assistance to educational institutions; or
(6) The protection, shelter and sustenance of animals.
(b) “Charitable solicitation” means seeking money donations, pledges thereof or anything of value to benefit, assist, aid and further the cause of a charitable organization, either orally or by literature distribution.
(c) “Literature” means books, pamphlets, handbills, tracts, cards. circulars, pictures, films, magazines or any other written or printed material. (Ord. 637. Passed 4-20-88.)
820.02 SOLICITATION PERMIT AND IDENTIFICATION CARD REQUIRED.
No charitable organization shall solicit funds within the Township without first applying for and obtaining a permit therefor and wearing, at all times, an identification card as provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 637. Passed 4-20-88.)
(a) A sworn application, in writing, for a permit under this chapter must be filed In duplicate with the Township Secretary at least three days in advance of the first day sought for solicitation on a form to be furnished by the Township. The application shall include:
(1) The full name and address (legal and local) of the person or organization sponsoring, conducting or promoting the fund drive;
(2) A statement as to whether or not the applicant is a branch or division of a national organization, and if so, the name thereof and the mailing and street address of the same;
(3) The purpose or object of the charitable solicitation;
(4) The dates of the solicitation;
(5) The number of persons to participate in the solicitation, the true legal name and address of each and the sex, height and color of hair and eyes of each; and
(6) A statement as to whether any person who will participate in the solicitation has ever been convicted of engaging in a fraudulent transaction or enterprise, a felony or other criminal offense involving moral turpitude.
(b) No fee shall be required for the filing of the application. (Ord. 637. Passed 4-20-88.)
820.04 CONDITIONS FOR NONISSUANCE OF PERMITS.
The application required in Section 820.03 shall be registered in a book called the Registry Book. The application shall be granted and the permit issued within forty-eight hours after the application has been filed unless, upon an investigation by a designated official, one or more of the following facts are found to exist:
(a) That one or more of the statements in the application are not true;
(b) That the applicant or any agent or representative of the applicant who will participate under the permit has been convicted of engaging in a fraudulent transaction or enterprise, a felony or other criminal offense involving moral turpitude, in which case the permit shall be denied to the applicant or to the agent or representative so convicted; or
(c) That the applicant or any agent or representative of the applicant who will participate under the permit has previously violated any of the provisions of this chapter or any prior permit issued under this chapter. (Ord. 637. Passed 4-20-8.)
820.05 CANCELLATION OF PERMITS.
Any permit granted under this chapter may be canceled after issuance if any of the reasons for prior refusal are discovered or become apparent during the solicitation period. (Ord. 637. Passed 4-20-88.)