2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
CHAPTER 5-11 - Hawkers and Peddlers
§ 5-11-1.1 - "Hawkers", "peddlers", and "door to door salespersons" defined – Authority to issue rules and regulations.

SECTION 5-11-1.1

   § 5-11-1.1  "Hawkers", "peddlers", and "door to door salespersons" defined – Authority to issue rules and regulations. – (a) For purposes of this chapter:

   (1) "Door to door salespersons" means persons who deliver goods, wares, or merchandise to customers for which payment has already been made or is to be made at the time of delivery;

   (2) "Hawker" means any person selling or offering for sale any goods, wares, or merchandise, including any food or beverage, on any public street, highway, or public right of way in the state from a stationary location;

   (3) "Peddler" means any person selling or offering for sale any goods, wares, or merchandise, including any food or beverage, from a vehicle, cart, or any other conveyance which is not stationary; and

   (4) No "hawker" or "peddler" shall sell or offer for sale any single good, ware or item having a retail value of more than three hundred dollars ($300). However, this dollar limitation shall not apply to any non-profit corporation duly authorized to do business in Rhode Island. A non-profit corporation means a non-profit corporation which has applied under 42 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) for approval as a § 501(c)(3) corporation with the Internal Revenue Service, or has been so approved.

   (b) Persons selling farm or garden produce, including flowers, and persons selling works of art or crafts of their own making at an art or crafts show or exhibition are not hawkers or peddlers; provided, that:

   (1) Cumberland. The town of Cumberland has the power to license and regulate persons selling farm or garden produce, including flowers, and persons selling works of art or crafts of their own making at an art or crafts show or exhibition;

   (2) West Warwick. The town of West Warwick has the power to license and regulate persons selling farm or garden produce, including flowers, and persons selling works of art or crafts of their own making at an art or crafts show or exhibition;

   (3) Bristol. The town of Bristol has the power to license and regulate persons selling farm or garden produce, including flowers, and persons selling works of art or crafts of their own making at an art or crafts show or exhibition;

   (4) Warwick. The city of Warwick has the power to license and regulate persons selling farm or garden produce, including flowers, and persons selling works of art or crafts of their own making at an art or crafts show or exhibition; and

   (5) East Providence. The city of East Providence has the power to license and regulate persons selling farm or garden produce, including flowers.