COEUR d'ALENE - The city of Coeur d'Alene is one step closer to enacting a new ordinance aimed at regulating door-to-door solicitation.

Deputy City Clerk Kathy Lewis presented the proposed ordinance to the city's general services committee - composed of Councilors Steve Adams, Ron Edinger and Amy Evans - during its meeting Monday. City officials were directed to prepare the regulations in June of 2014, Lewis said, and staff members who worked on creating the code said it provides "an added level of protection."

"Upon reviewing other area regulations, and based on previous complaints from citizens, staff believes the proposed regulations meet the needs of the community," Lewis said.

The proposed ordinance defines door-to-door solicitation as "any unsolicited contact by a person with any person at a residence or dwelling in the city of Coeur d'Alene for the purpose of selling any product or service, or soliciting orders for any product or service."

Lewis told the committee that one of the major differences between the city's proposed code and those of other entities is the inclusion of a background check.

"The criminal history background check will be conducted at the applicant's expense," Lewis wrote in her formal report on the ordinance. "The citizens will feel safer knowing a solicitor has completed and cleared a criminal history background check."

Anyone convicted of a felony within five years of their submitting an application would be banned from door-to-door solicitation within the city limits of Coeur d'Alene, according to the ordinance.

Potential solicitors would also be required to pay a $50 registration fee to the city of Coeur d'Alene. While registering, the applicant must present government-issued photo identification and have their photo taken by a city clerk.

Applications must be submitted annually and, according to the ordinance, the photo will be used to create a laminated license, which solicitors will be required to wear while they go door to door within city limits.

The following is some of the conduct prohibited under the ordinance:

* Whether registered or not, no one is allowed to solicit a home or business with a clearly posted sign forbidding the activity on their property.

* Whether registered or not, no one is allowed to continue soliciting business after a property owner asks the solicitor to leave.

* Solicitation can only occur between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

* Whether registered or not, a solicitor is not allowed to state that the city of Coeur d'Alene endorses their activity.

Lewis added that the ordinance includes an "enforcement" section, which makes it unique from other entities regulations on door to door solicitation.

"If they're in violation they could be cited and lose their ability to solicit in the future as well," Lewis said.

The ordinance has exemptions for nonprofit businesses and Lewis said individuals campaigning for public office are also exempt. Prior to a unanimous vote in approval of the ordinance, Evans asked Lewis if there was also an exemption for minors.

"Yes there are exemptions," Lewis said. "So it doesn't stop the Girl Scouts from selling cookies or kids doing school projects."

On April 7, the Coeur d'Alene City Council will vote on whether to officially adopt the ordinance.