Midlothian PD warns residents about unsolicited roofing companies

Photo by Robert Kaufmann.

MIDLOTHIAN — With recent storms passing through Midlothian, there will be an increase in roofing companies going door to door through neighborhoods.

Roofing companies are required to get a "City of Midlothian Solicitors Permit" before going door to door. The permit process involves background checks to be sure the vendors are not a threat to the community. If a salesman comes to your door, the Midlothian Ordinance requires the following:

ARTICLE 4.03 PEDDLERS, SOLICITORS AND ITINERANT MERCHANTS...

(1) The person(s) in charge of conducting commercial home solicitation or commercial home distribution shall ensure that each and every commercial home solicitors or commercial home distributors involved possess a valid solicitor’s permit on their person, photo identification, such as a valid driver license or other valid governmental or city identification that correctly identifies whom the solicitor/distributor is and for whom the solicitor/distributor is working.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any commercial home solicitors or commercial home distributors to fail or refuse to show or display such identification upon the request of any person.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any commercial home solicitors or commercial home distributors to engage in commercial home solicitation or commercial home distribution without having a copy of the permit in their possession, except that where the person who will be peddling or soliciting is 15 years of age or less. Such person shall be supervised by a person who is over the age of 18 years of age and who shall obtain a license on behalf of the person to be supervised.

(4) The permit holder must ensure that the permit is properly displayed while conducting peddling, commercial home solicitation or commercial home distribution activities. Properly displayed shall mean attached or hung so that the permit is clearly visible to the public and law enforcement officials.

(5) It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct themselves as a commercial home distributor without wearing an orange traffic safety vest.