Changes proposed for Nashville’s ‘Do Not Knock’ list

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — An ordinance proposes changes to Nashville’s rules for its Do Not Knock registry.

Businesses are required to have a solicitation permit. Metro’s website states that solicitation permit holders have a duty to check the no solicitation list before knocking on someone’s door. Right now homeowners or renters can have their address on the list for one year. BL2024-470 proposes being on the list for two years after signing up.

“I still get knocked regularly and we’ve got no solicitation for the whole neighborhood and people still show up all the time and I got my name on that list and then I still get knocked,” said Metro Councilmember At Large Olivia Hill during a discussion of the proposal at the Aug. 6 Government Operations and Regulations Committee meeting.

It’s up to the resident to make sure the information on the list is up-to-date. Another change from this ordinance is that the clerk’s office notify the resident before they’re taken off the no solicitation list. Knocking on someone’s door if they’re on this list is a $50 fine.

“I had no idea that this was even an option for folks and I have had people complain to me about — we have a pest control company in our neighborhood that goes door to door,” said District 29 Councilmember Tasha Ellis. “So this gives me an opportunity hopefully if it passes with all of our support that we can publish that list or at least tell folks that this is an option available for them.”

Council members expressed concerns about enforcing the no solicitation rules.

“I think the number of people who pull the permits is probably far below the number of people who knock on doors,” said District 11 Councilmember Jeff Eslick. “I like the idea. I wish we could roll it over to cell phones more so. I don’t know this is going to be enforceable at all. You would have to Ring (doorbell camera) catch people for the most part and then find out who they are and if you don’t know that from them identifying themselves on the Ring camera then you’ve got a bunch of running around in circles.”

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One concensus at the committee meeting was the need to educate constituents.

“This has already been in place. What we’re extending is the time to be on the list and I think it’s part of our job as councilmen is to educate the people that live in our residences,” said District 10 Councilmember Jennifer Frensley Webb.

The bill already passed the first two readings and is up for a third and final reading Tuesday night before becoming law. Religious and political organizations are not part of this because they’re protected under the first amendment.

Follow this link to sign up for Nashville’s No Solicitation List.

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