Getting a sales call at 9 PM used to be annoying but legal in Oregon. Not anymore. Oregon just tightened its solicitation laws, and knowing them could save you a lot of frustration.
This guide covers everything from phone and text solicitation rules to door-to-door sales and criminal solicitation. Whether you are a consumer trying to stop unwanted calls or a business trying to stay compliant, this is for you.
What Is Solicitation?
Solicitation basically means asking someone to do something. In Oregon law, it covers two very different situations. One involves businesses trying to sell you things. The other involves asking someone to commit a crime.
Both types are regulated in Oregon. Both can lead to serious consequences. Let us break them down.
Telephone and Text Solicitation Laws
The Big 2026 Update
Okay, this one is important. Oregon passed House Bill 3865 in 2025. It took effect on January 1, 2026. This law changed the rules for sales calls and texts in a major way.
Before 2026, telemarketers could call you until 9 PM. Now they cannot call after 8 PM. That is a one-hour change, but it matters when you are trying to relax in the evening.
Here is what the new law actually says. You can only be contacted between 8 AM and 8 PM. A company can only reach out to you a maximum of three times within a single 24-hour period. And here is a big one: text messages are now covered too.
That is right. Sales texts are now treated the same as sales calls under Oregon law.
What Counts as a Violation?
Most people do not realize how strict these new rules are. A company breaks Oregon law if it calls or texts you after 8 PM. It also breaks the law if it contacts you before 8 AM.
Calling or texting you more than three times in one day is a violation. Lying about who they are or why they are calling is illegal too. Hiding where the call is coming from is not allowed. If a company uses an automated dialing system, it must let you opt out easily. If you hang up, the system must disconnect right away.
Pretty straightforward, right?
The “Established Business Relationship” Exception
Wondering if this applies to every call you get? Not quite. There is an exception called an “established business relationship.” If you bought something from a company or did business with them in the last 18 months, they can still contact you even on the Do Not Call list.
Think of it like this: the rules protect you from strangers. They do not stop companies you already know from reaching out. That said, even those companies must follow the time and frequency limits.
Debt Collectors Are Different
Hold on, this part surprises a lot of people. Debt collectors are not covered by HB 3865. Debt collection agencies, debt buyers, and collection companies are exempt from many of these restrictions. If you owe a debt, a collector can still reach out under different rules.
This is one of the gaps in the law. It is worth knowing so you are not confused when debt collection calls keep coming.
Door-to-Door Solicitation Rules
What Oregon Cities Require
Oregon does not have a single statewide door-to-door solicitation law. Instead, most cities handle this locally. And honestly, most Oregon cities take this seriously.
Many cities require door-to-door salespeople to get a permit before knocking. In cities like Lake Oswego, anyone doing door-to-door solicitation must provide identification to the city. In Harrisburg, every individual salesperson needs their own license. Bypassing that requirement can get you cited as a civil infraction and fined.
Hours and No Solicitation Signs
Most Oregon cities have time rules for door-to-door solicitation. In many places, you cannot solicit before 9 AM or after 8 PM during standard time. Some cities allow until 9 PM during daylight saving time. The exact hours depend on where you live.
Here is something important. If you post a “No Solicitation” sign on your property, salespeople must respect it. Ignoring a no-solicitation sign is a violation in most Oregon cities. If a salesperson ignores your sign, you can report them to local authorities.
What Sellers Must Tell You
Under Oregon law, door-to-door sellers must give you certain information. They must tell you their name. They must tell you the name of the business they represent. They must state the total cost of whatever they are selling. If there are installment payments, they must explain those too.
A seller who withholds this information is breaking the law. You do not have to accept vague answers. If they cannot or will not give you this info, that is a red flag.
Your Right to Cancel
Oregon’s Home Solicitation Sales Act covers purchases made at your door. If you buy something from a door-to-door salesperson, you usually have the right to cancel. This is sometimes called a “cooling-off period.”
Check your contract for the cancellation terms. This right exists to protect you from high-pressure sales tactics. Many people do not realize they have this option.
Criminal Solicitation Laws
When Solicitation Becomes a Crime
Now here is where things get serious. Solicitation is not just a business issue. In Oregon, asking someone to commit a crime is itself a crime.
Under ORS 161.435, you commit criminal solicitation if you ask, command, or encourage another person to commit a felony or a Class A misdemeanor. The key here is intent. You have to mean for them to do it.
This one surprises people. You can be charged with solicitation even if the crime never happens. Even if the person you asked said no. Even if your message was intercepted before they received it.
How Serious Is It?
Honestly, this is the part most people miss. Criminal solicitation in Oregon is graded based on what crime you were asking someone to commit.
If you solicit someone to commit murder or treason, that is a Class A felony. A Class A felony carries up to 20 years in prison. If you solicit a Class A felony, you face a Class B felony charge. That carries up to 10 years in prison.
Soliciting a Class B felony is a Class C felony. A Class C felony can mean up to 5 years behind bars.
Less severe than the underlying crime, but still no joke.
Can You Take It Back?
Oregon law does have a defense called renunciation. This means that if you tried to stop the crime before it happened, it could be a defense to your solicitation charge. But this is not a get-out-of-jail-free card.
You would need to show that you genuinely and completely gave up your plan. You would also need to show that you made real efforts to stop it from happening. Renunciation is a legal defense, not a loophole. A lawyer can help you understand whether it applies to your situation.
Penalties for Solicitation Violations
Phone and Text Violations
Let us talk about the penalties. If a company violates Oregon’s phone and text solicitation laws, it is considered an unlawful trade practice. That is covered under ORS 646.608.
If you are a consumer who lost money because of a violation, you can sue. You can recover your actual damages or $200, whichever is greater. Courts can also award punitive damages on top of that. Punitive damages are extra money meant to punish the company for bad behavior.
The Oregon Department of Justice can also take action against companies that break the rules. So there are two enforcement paths: one for you as a consumer, and one for the state.
Criminal Solicitation Penalties
For criminal solicitation, the consequences depend on what was solicited. Class A felony: up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $375,000. Class B felony: up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Class C felony: up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $125,000.
A criminal solicitation charge goes on your record. It can affect your job, housing, and more. This is not something to take lightly.
Federal Fines for Telemarketers
Companies that illegally call numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry also face federal consequences. The FTC can fine companies up to $50,120 per illegal call. Yes, per call. That adds up very fast.
How to Protect Yourself
Register for the Do Not Call List
Oregon does not have its own state do-not-call list. Instead, Oregon uses the National Do Not Call Registry. You should register your number if you have not already.
You can sign up at donotcall.gov for free. You can also call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register. Once you register, it should take up to 31 days for sales calls to stop.
Registrations do not expire. Unless your number changes or you remove it yourself, you stay on the list.
Report Violations
If a company breaks Oregon’s solicitation laws, you have options. You can file a complaint with the Oregon Department of Justice at [email protected]. You can also call their Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 (toll free).
For Do Not Call violations specifically, you can report directly at donotcall.gov. The FTC uses those reports to track illegal callers. Your complaint really does matter.
Post a No Solicitation Sign
Want to stop door-to-door sales? Post a clear “No Solicitation” sign on your property. Most Oregon city codes require salespeople to honor it. If someone ignores it, contact your local police or city hall.
Ask to See a Permit
Not sure if a door-to-door salesperson is legit? Ask to see their city-issued permit or business license. Most cities that require permits also require salespeople to carry them. If they cannot show one, that is a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a company text me for sales purposes without my permission?
As of January 1, 2026, text messages are treated like phone calls under Oregon law. Companies must follow the same rules, including time limits and the Do Not Call registry.
What hours can telemarketers call in Oregon?
Under the new 2026 rules, telemarketers can only contact you between 8 AM and 8 PM. Calls or texts outside those hours are a violation.
How many times can a company call me in one day?
Oregon law now limits companies to three contacts per person within a 24-hour period. Any more than that is an unlawful practice.
Can I sue a telemarketer who violates Oregon’s rules?
Yes. If you suffered a financial loss from a violation, you can file a civil action. You can recover your actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, plus possible punitive damages.
What is criminal solicitation in Oregon?
Criminal solicitation means asking or commanding someone to commit a felony or serious misdemeanor with the intent that they actually do it. It is a crime even if the other person says no.
Does Oregon have its own Do Not Call list?
No. Oregon uses the National Do Not Call Registry. Register for free at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222.
Can door-to-door salespeople come to my door anytime?
No. Most Oregon cities have time restrictions, usually between 9 AM and 8 or 9 PM. Check your local city ordinance for exact hours.
Final Thoughts
Oregon’s solicitation laws protect you in more ways than most people realize. The 2026 updates to phone and text rules are a big deal. Texts are now covered. Call times are shorter. There are hard limits on how often companies can reach you.
Door-to-door rules vary by city, but your rights are real. Post a sign, ask for a permit, and know your cancellation rights.
And if you ever find yourself in a situation involving criminal solicitation, talk to a lawyer. The stakes are too high to guess.
Now you know the rules. Stay informed, know your rights, and when in doubt, reach out to the Oregon Department of Justice. They are there to help.
References
- ORS 161.435 – Solicitation (Oregon Legislature)
- Oregon House Bill 3865 – Telephone Solicitation Law (2025)
- Oregon Department of Justice – Report a Do Not Call Violation
- Oregon Department of Justice – Telemarketing Consumer Protection
- National Do Not Call Registry – FTC
- ORS 646.561-646.569 – Telephone Solicitation Statutes
- Oregon State Bar – 2025 Legislation Highlights
