# What a "No Soliciting" Sign Can Actually Do

> Those signs are not just a polite request, but their teeth come from your city code, not the sign itself.
- Title: What a "No Soliciting" Sign Can Actually Do · Family Handyman
- Summary: Those signs are not just a polite request, but their teeth come from your city code, not the sign itself. A "No Soliciting" sign only has force if your local…
- Keywords: home, legal, door-to-door, privacy, local law, Soliciting, Sign, Actually, Family Handyman
- Source: Family Handyman — https://familyhandyman.com/article/no-soliciting-sign
- Author: Alex Shoemaker
- Published: 2026-09-09T15:26:04+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: home, legal, door-to-door, privacy, local law
## More than a polite ask
"No soliciting" signs sit on mailboxes, doors and lawns everywhere. Whether one actually stops a knock depends on where you live, not on the sign itself.
## Local law gives it teeth
Nashville bars commercial door-to-door solicitors from approaching a home posted with a "No Solicitation" or "No Trespassing" sign, even if the solicitor holds a city permit.
## Salespeople yes, others maybe
Rules usually target commercial sellers. Many areas carve out charitable, religious and political groups, so a posted sign may not stop them at all.
## Utah spells out the knock
Hurricane, Utah makes it a violation to knock, ring the bell or otherwise try to get a posted resident's attention. Solicitors also have to leave when asked.
## Placement is the fine print
Hurricane says the notice goes on or near the main entrance, or by the property line beside the walkway. Put it where visitors cannot miss it and check your code for required wording.

> The responsibility is on solicitors to check for a sign before contacting the resident.
## Lists beat signs sometimes
Nashville runs a no-knock list commercial solicitors must check. For phones, the FTC registry tells legal telemarketers to stop, though it blocks nothing on its own.

> But if you ask them not to call you, they have to stop. Be sure to write down the date you asked them to stop.
## Key takeaway

A "No Soliciting" sign only has force if your local ordinance backs it, so check your city or county code for the exact wording and placement rules.