City Solicitation Changes Proposed. School Board Public Forum.
Westerville Moves to Modernize Door-to-Door Solicitation Laws
The City of Westerville is poised to significantly change its rules governing door-to-door activities, including commercial solicitation and noncommercial canvassing. Ordinance No. 2025-20, presented for first reading at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, replaces outdated procedures with a modern, constitutionally sound framework. The ordinance requires three readings before a vote by the council.
For years, Westerville regulated all solicitation — whether commercial sales or noncommercial advocacy — under a single ordinance, with applications handled manually by the Clerk of Council. There was little distinction between types of speech, few definitions, and virtually no background checks required. That’s about to change.
Under the proposed law, the city would:
Split oversight into two distinct chapters:
Chapter 741: Commercial Solicitation
Chapter 743: Noncommercial Canvassing (including religious, political, and charitable advocacy)
Transfer administration to the Westerville Division of Police, giving officers clear authority to issue, revoke, and enforce permits. The city clerk currently manages these tasks.
Implement background checks for commercial solicitors, along with expanded eligibility requirements that exclude individuals with certain criminal histories within the past seven years.
Digitize the system: Applications, complaint submissions, and resident registry participation would move online.
Residents would also gain new protections:
A No Solicitation Registry and a No Canvassing Registry, updated monthly and published on the city’s website.
The ability to report violations online, by phone, or in person.
Enhanced enforcement of “No Soliciting” or “No Canvassing” signs posted at private residences.
The ordinance also updates commercial license fees. The old system charged as little as $1 for a day permit or $15 annually. The new structure charges $120 for an individual annual license, or $240 for a company license that covers up to six agents (plus $20 for each additional person). A 90-day license is also available for $75.
Importantly, noncommercial canvassing — such as religious or political outreach — is exempt from licensing under constitutional protections. However, time, place, and manner restrictions still apply (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and no entry on registered or signed properties).
City Law Director Andrew Winkel informed the council that the changes do not prohibit school bands, Girl Scouts, and other charitable organizations from going door-to-door for candy sales or soliciting donations. “There's no license, no registration required for charitable, political, or religious camps,” he said. “All you have to do is be able to provide documentation saying you're compliant with state law.” Ohio requires charitable organizations to register with the Attorney General.
Charitable solicitation in roadways will now require a city-issued permit, liability insurance, safety vests, and compliance with designated hours and locations.
Lastly, street vendor rules are being temporarily relocated from Chapter 741 to Chapter 749, as city staff prepare for a broader review of vending policies.
If passed, the city and police division have until March 31, 2026, to fully implement administrative and procedural updates.
The ordinance aims to strike a balance between free speech rights and public safety, reduce nuisance complaints, and give residents greater control over who may come to their doors. A second reading and public hearing are set for the September 16 City Council meeting.
School Board Candidates At Public Forum
The Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce’s School Board candidate public forum is on Wednesday night at the Westerville Public Library. beginning at 7 p.m.
Candidates will answer questions from the audience and the modeerator.
The Candidates
With three at-large seats on the ballot, the school board race features incumbents Kristy Meyer and Anisa Liban, who currently serve as the board's president and vice president, respectively. Social worker Nafiso Jamale and retired district educator Mark Stevens challenge them.
Kristy Meyer, the current board president, is running for re-election. A Westerville native and parent of two students in the district, Meyer has over 20 years of experience as an environmental policy consultant. Her platform emphasizes creating safe and inclusive learning environments, responsible financial management, and supporting student-centered programs.
Anisa Liban, the board's vice president, is also seeking to retain her seat. Appointed in September 2024, she made history as the first Somali woman to serve on a school board in Ohio. Liban is a nonprofit leader focused on advocating for immigrant communities. Her priorities include academic success, safe schools, and community engagement.
Tatjana Brown, an 18-year Westerville resident and local business owner, is the mother of three children in the district. She brings a broad parental perspective to the race. Brown and her husband own an Uptown Westerville wine shop that has actively fundraised for local schools and charities. Her campaign platform prioritizes smart budgeting, strong support for educators, and creating inclusive opportunities for every student.
Nafiso Jamale is a licensed social worker and mental health advocate. As a mother of two and a district alumna, her campaign focuses on educational equity, bolstering student mental health services, and fiscal responsibility. She serves on the Westerville Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.
Mark Stevens, a recent retiree from the district, is also vying for a seat. Stevens was a music educator in Westerville for 25 years. His platform centers on leveraging his direct experience as an educator to inform policy decisions that foster intellectual growth and critical thinking.
Westerville 2025 Candidates Contact Information
The Westerville News has created a web page listing contact information for each of the City Council and School Board candidates. The information is correct as of Thursday, August 21, 2025, and will be updated if the candidate’s information changes. Bookmark the site for easy reference.
Starkey House Used For Training
The Westerville Fire Department utilized the Starkey home on Africa Road for training this week, with crews from each fire station rotating through the sessions, reinforcing rescue techniques in basements and second-story rooms.
Firefighters studied rescuing victims, including a baby from one of the bedrooms, and rescuing someone trapped in the basement who needed to be removed from a basement window.
The training will continue for several more days, so don’t be too excited when you see a fog machine spewing what looks like smoke from the house.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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