The City of Irving strengthened its solicitation and handbill ordinance to provide increased pedestrian and motorist safety, and improve traffic flow and the aesthetics of major thoroughfares.
The revised regulations prohibit:
The revised regulations prohibit:
- Roadside solicitation except as allowed by state law.
- Costume/sign-holding advertisers in a roadway or on public property adjacent to a roadway.
- Aggressive solicitation, which is defined as:
- Intentionally touching or causing physical contact with another person or an occupied vehicle without the solicited person’s consent.
- Intentionally blocking, either individually or as part of a group of persons, the passage of the solicited person.
- Following closely behind, ahead or alongside a person after he/she has been solicited.
- Using violent or threatening gestures toward the solicited person.
- Approaching or speaking to a person in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to believe he/she is being threatened with imminent bodily injury.
- Prohibits solicitation inside any public transportation or public restroom.
- It is unlawful to engage in solicitation within 25 feet of:
- An automated teller machine
- An entrance or exit of a bank, credit union or other similar financial institution
- A pay telephone located outdoors or on the exterior of a structure
- A self-service car wash
- A self service fuel pump
- A public transportation stop
- An outdoor dining area of a restaurant, cafe or cafeteria
- Distribution of handbills/fliers on any vehicle without consent.
“Adoption of the ordinance enhancements means residents who are uncomfortable or threatened by unwanted solicitation now have the law on their side,” said Assistant Police Chief Terry Zettle. “This is another element being implemented to ensure a safe and secure city.”
