Athens City Code

No person shall solicit contributions or anything else of value for any real or alleged charitable or religious purpose without a permit from the city recorder authorizing such solicitation; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to any locally established organization or church operated exclusively for charitable or religious purposes if the solicitations are conducted exclusively among the members thereof, voluntarily and without remuneration for making such solicitations, or if the solicitations are in the form of collections or contributions at the regular assemblies of any such established organization or church.

(Code 1972, § 5-301; Code 1995, § 9-301)

The finance director shall issue a permit authorizing charitable or religious solicitations when, after a reasonable investigation, he finds the following facts to exist:

1. (1) The applicant has a good character and reputation for honesty and integrity or, if the applicant is not an individual person, that every member, managing officer or agent of the applicant has a good character or reputation for honesty and integrity.
2. (2) The control and supervision of the solicitation will be under responsible and reliable persons.
3. (3) The applicant has not engaged in any fraudulent transaction or enterprise.
4. (4) The solicitation will not be a fraud on the public but will be for a bona fide charitable or religious purpose.
5. (5) The solicitation is prompted solely by a desire to finance the charitable cause described by the applicant.

(Code 1972, § 5-302; Code 1995, § 9-302; Ord. No. 917, 4-20-2004)

Any applicant for a permit to make charitable or religious solicitations may appeal to the city council if he has not been granted a permit within 15 days after he makes application therefor.

(Code 1972, § 5-303; Code 1995, § 9-303)

Any solicitor required by this chapter to have a permit shall exhibit such permit at the request of any police officer or person solicited.

(Code 1972, § 5-304; Code 1995, § 9-304)