A wooden community entrance sign for Loch Ness Home Owners Association featuring a Loch Ness monster logo, with clear "No Soliciting" and "No Trespassing" text

Your Rights When Solicitors Enter Loch Ness Drive

Posted by:

Nessie

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Recently, several residents have reported door-to-door solicitors entering our community despite the “NO SOLICITING – NO TRESPASSING” sign posted at the Loch Ness Drive entrance.

Your Rights Under Town of Miami Lakes Code §21-27.3:

🚫 Our community has the legal right to prohibit commercial solicitation. The sign at our entrance makes it unlawful for solicitors to enter Loch Ness Drive and knock on doors.

✅ What You Can Do:

1. You are NOT required to open the door or speak with solicitors

  • You can ignore them completely — it’s your right

2. If you choose to open the door, you may:

  • Ask them to show their Town-issued “Licensed Solicitor” badge (must be visible from 10 feet away)
  • Ask them to show their Florida Home Solicitation Sales Permit
  • Politely say: “I’m not interested. Please leave the property.”
  • Close the door — you don’t owe them an explanation

3. If the solicitor:

  • Refuses to leave when asked
  • Becomes aggressive, rude, or threatening
  • Returns after you’ve asked them to leave
  • → Call police non-emergency immediately: (305) 476-5423

4. Report All Violations to Town Code Compliance:

  • Email: codecompliance@miamilakes-fl.gov
  • Include: Date, time, description of solicitor (clothing, vehicle), what they were selling, whether they had visible badge/permit

📋 Reinforce Your Individual Home Protection:

You may post your own “No Soliciting” sign on or near your front door. Once posted, it is unlawful for any solicitor to ring your doorbell or attract your attention (Town Code §21-27.3(g)).

Important — Protected Exemptions:

  • Religious, charitable, and nonprofit organizations are exempt from permit requirements under Florida law
  • Political canvassers are protected by the First Amendment
  • HOWEVER, all solicitors must still:
    • Honor individual “No Soliciting” signs
    • Leave when asked
    • Not solicit before 9:00 AM or after 9:00 PM

🦕 The HOA is Working with the Town:

We have notified Code Compliance Officer Ariel Morales about solicitation violations in our community. The more residents who report violations, the more targeted patrol we can request from the Town.

Together, we can make our community less attractive to unauthorized solicitors.

If you have questions, contact us