Bellaire amended its city code Oct. 6 to increase the required bond for itinerant peddlers, vendors and charitable solicitors from $500 to $1,000 per applicant.

Council discussion focused on community complaints about an apparent uptick in unpermitted door-to-door sales, including pressure-washing, roofing solicitations and other commercial approaches in neighborhoods. Members and the police chief said the city issues very few solicitor permits and that many solicitors operating in recent months have not applied for the required permit.

Police staff told council the department will educate and, if needed, cite unpermitted solicitors. Councilmember Ross Gordon and others said the bond increase is intended to make permit applicants more accountable and to reduce unpermitted solicitation. "We would encourage anybody: if anybody knocks on your door and they're trying to sell something, just give us a call," the police chief said.

Council debated differentiation for nonprofit solicitations (e.g., scout groups) and confirmed nonprofits may apply and are not required to pay the bonding fee. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The change raises the upfront financial requirement for door-to-door commercial solicitors, and council and staff emphasized enforcement and public education as the follow-up steps.