No Soliciting vs. No Trespassing in Texas: Door-to-Door Rules Every Homeowner Should Know

Homeowners put up signs for peace and privacy. In Texas, the legal impact mostly comes down to one question: did the person enter or remain on your property after getting legal “notice” they were not allowed, or after you told them to leave?

This is practical information for homeowners, not legal advice.

The main Texas law: Criminal Trespass

Texas Penal Code §30.05 (Criminal Trespass) is the key statewide rule. In plain language, a person can get in trouble if they enter or remain on property without effective consent and either (1) had notice that entry was forbidden, or (2) received notice to depart and did not leave. “Notice” can be given by signs, fencing/gates, purple paint marks, or you telling them directly. “Entry” generally means their whole body intrudes onto the property.

What a “No Trespassing” sign means

A clearly posted “No Trespassing” sign is the strongest message because it is about entry. It communicates: you do not have permission to step onto this property. Practical effect: a door-to-door rep should not walk up the driveway or walkway to your porch, knock, ring, step onto the porch, enter an open garage, open gates, or wander to side/back yards. Marketing materials: if leaving a flyer, door hanger, or business card requires stepping onto your property (most do), it is tied to the same entry issue. If someone ignores it, say it once and keep it simple: “You are not allowed on my property. Leave now. Do not return.” If they do not leave, that is where §30.05 becomes much more straightforward.

What a “No Soliciting” sign means

A “No Soliciting” sign is about sales activity. It tells people you do not want pitches, estimates, “free inspections,” or door-to-door marketing. The important nuance: “No Soliciting” does not always say “entry is forbidden,” so some reps try to justify approaching the door anyway and claim they are “just leaving information.” Texas law is clearest the moment you give direct notice: if you tell them to leave and they do not, that is the second prong of Texas Penal Code §30.05. Marketing materials: leaving a flyer or card is still marketing. If you do not want anything left behind, spell it out on the sign and say it out loud if needed. Without verbal warning or a sign that includes stricter language, door-to-door sales reps are in their rights to leave marketing materials.

Knocking, ringing, and leaving flyers

No Trespassing posted: they should not approach the door to knock, ring, or leave anything that requires entry onto your property. No Soliciting posted: they should not knock or ring to pitch you, and they should not leave marketing as a workaround. If they do it anyway, your fastest legal and practical move is verbal notice: “No thanks. Leave my property.” Repeat once, then disengage. You may choose to ensure your security cameras are operating and recording should any unforeseen issue arise.

If you are outside in your yard, driveway, or garage

Being outside does not give strangers permission to come onto your property or stay there. You can end it immediately: “No thanks. Please leave.” If they keep talking: “I’ve told you to leave. Leave now.” Under §30.05, the “told to leave but didn’t” part matters a lot.

HOA neighborhoods and HOA maintained roads

HOA maintained does not always mean private. If your neighborhood streets are public streets, reps can generally be on the street and sidewalk like any other member of the public, but they still must respect your property boundaries and your notice. If your neighborhood is gated or has private streets/common areas controlled by the HOA, the HOA can set access rules for those common areas and can give neighborhood-wide “do not enter” notice, while you control your individual lot. Either way, your lot is still your lot. You can tell someone to leave your property regardless of HOA status.

One extra rule homeowners should know: mailboxes

Do not let anyone place flyers or business cards in a mailbox. That is governed by federal law (18 U.S.C. §1725) and generally requires postage.

Optional sign wording that removes excuses

If you want a sign that is hard to “interpret,” consider: “NO TRESPASSING. DO NOT KNOCK OR RING. DO NOT LEAVE MATERIALS. APPOINTMENT ONLY.” It clearly withdraws permission to enter for door-to-door marketing and makes your expectations unmistakable.

Quick homeowner script

“Not interested. Leave my property now. Do not return.” If they argue, repeat once and stop engaging.