Transient Merchant License - Frequently Asked Questions

License:

When Do You Need A Transient Merchant License?

Anyone who engages in any business within the City on a transient basis must obtain a temporary Transient Merchant License from the City of Sisters:

• If you are selling goods or services from a vehicle, trailer or cart, temporary apparatus, temporary location or door to door within the City limits.
• If your business is NOT permanent and continuous in the City
• You are solely responsible for the collection of sales receipts

What Is The Difference Between A Business License And A Transient Merchant License?

A business license is obtained when the nature of the business being conducted is permanent and continuing within the City limits.  Business Licenses are valid from the date of application approval through the current fiscal year end June 30.  A Transient Merchant License is for business operations that occur at a special event on a specific day(s) the nature of which constitutes a “temporary basis”.

Do I Need A Transient Merchant License To Sell At A Special Event?

If the organizer of the Special Event has already paid for the Transient Merchant License, then an individual vendor DOES NOT need to purchase a license.  The vendor will need to contact the Special Event organizer for more vendor information. 

If the organizer of the Special Event HAS NOT paid for the Transient Merchant License you are participating in, then you will need to complete the Transient Merchant License application independently for that specific event.

Do I Need A Transient Merchant License If The Proceeds Of The Operations Benefit A Non-Profit?

Yes.  Whether the business is non-profit or not, a completed application must be submitted to the City of Sisters.   The Licensing fees for a non-profit application may be waived at the City Manager’s discretion, however, the application and all necessary signatures from property owners must still be obtained.

Application:

How Do I Obtain A Transient Merchant License?

In Person: Go to Sisters City Hall, Front Desk, 520 E Cascade.

By Mail:   Download the License Application. 
                Print and complete the application and mail it to:

                Attn: Transient Merchant Licensing
                City of Sisters
                P.O. Box 39
                Sisters, Oregon  97759

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What is the cost for a Transient Merchant License?   

$100 PER DAY

How Long Will It Take To Obtain a Transient Merchant License?

Upon receipt of the completed application and payment of the license fee the City Administrator or designee shall issue the license, subject to any conditions necessary.  Processing and issuance will be done within 10 business days. 

For example, if the date that you will be selling merchandise is on Saturday, July 10, 2010, you will need to submit your completed application to the City of Sisters no later than June 28, 2010.

The City of Sisters Municipal Code contains the following definitions

Transient Merchant: “A Transient Merchant is a person who either carries goods, wares or merchandise from area to area (or City to City), selling or offering the same for retail sale; or who offers goods, wares, merchandise or services from a vehicle, trailer or cart, temporary apparatus, temporary location, or door to door without making the business permanent and continuous in the City. “

Municipal Code: Chapter 5.24.110

Criteria for Conduct of Business: “All permitted transient merchants activities shall comply with the following criteria:

•  In all Commercial Zones, all sales shall be conducted outside of the public right of way, including sidewalks, and shall not cause the flow of pedestrian traffic to become obstructed.
   
• All signage and display f merchandise shall comply with the requirements of the Sisters City Code
   
• Any time the merchant is conducting business, it shall pick up any paper, cardboard, wood, or plastic containers, wrappers, or any litter resulting from its business that is deposited by an person within 25 feet of the merchants location.
   
• No transient merchant shall make any loud or unreasonable noise of any kind by vocalizing or otherwise for the purpose of advertising or attracting attention to the merchant’s wares.

Municipal Code: Chapter 5.24.125

Door to Door Solicitations:  “The practice of transient merchants going in and upon private residential property selling merchandise or services shall be subject to the following regulations:

• If a residence has a posted sign advising that solicitation is not welcome or is unwanted, solicitation at such residence shall be prohibited.
• Solicitation shall only occur between the hours of 10:00 a.m.  and 8:00 p.m.  There shall be no solicitation allowed on Sundays.
• Any individual, business, political, charitable, religious, patriotic, or philanthropic group desiring to sell merchandise or services on a door-to-door basis within the City limits of Sisters shall first obtain a permit from the City as described in Section 5.24.140

Municipal Code: Chapter 5.24.135

Transient Merchant License

Contact: For more information or questions, contact Liz Majury at lmajury@ci.sisters.or.us or call (541) 323-5209.

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