Foley residents will soon have more say over who comes knocking at their doors under new city regulations targeting commercial solicitors.

Foley City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that will establish new requirements for commercial solicitation, including permits, background checks, city-issued identification badges, business licensing and restrictions on solicitation hours. The regulations are set to take effect Oct. 30.

The ordinance also would give residents and residential communities a way to opt out of commercial solicitation through a new No Solicitation Registry.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said city officials have spent several months developing the regulations, balancing residents’ privacy with protections for free speech. Representatives of local homeowners associations have told city officials in recent meetings that their members want options for regulating solicitation in their communities.

"Solicitation has always been one of those areas between freedom of speech and the rights of privacy for the citizens," Hellmich said. "I want to commend our staff. They worked very hard on this to balance the positive and the negative. I really appreciate the efforts."

Under the new rules, commercial solicitors must apply through the city’s Revenue Department, identify the business they represent and undergo a background check at their own expense. The company represented by the solicitor must also have a valid Foley business license.

Approved solicitors will receive a city-issued permit badge displaying their identification and the company they represent. The badge must be displayed while soliciting.

The ordinance limits commercial solicitation at homes to the hours between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Residents who do not want commercial solicitors at their homes will be able to register their addresses through the city’s online Citizenserve portal. Homeowners associations can also request that an entire subdivision be added to the No Solicitation Registry.

Solicitors will be required to avoid registered properties, honor posted "No Soliciting" signs and leave immediately when asked.

Violations could result in warnings, citations or permit revocation. Businesses that repeatedly fail to comply could face additional enforcement.

The regulations apply specifically to commercial solicitation. They do not apply to noncommercial activities such as political, religious or qualifying charitable canvassing.

For more information about the proposed commercial solicitation regulations, contact the Foley Revenue Department at (251) 943-1545.