Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title XV Chapter 101
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 101, § 22 (2026)

License; hawkers and peddlers; certificate of police chief; fees; special state licenses; rules and regulations

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 22. The deputy director may grant a license to go about carrying for sale or barter, exposing therefor and selling or bartering any goods, wares or merchandise, the sale of which is not prohibited by section 16, to a person who is or has declared an intention to become a citizen of the United States and who files with the deputy director a completely executed application to be furnished by the deputy director and on which shall be a certificate which shall be signed by the chief of police of the city or town in which the applicant resides which shall state that to the best of his knowledge and belief the applicant therein named is of good repute as to morals and integrity. The deputy director may grant, as aforesaid, special licenses upon payment by the applicant to the deputy director of a fee, as determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section 3B of chapter 7 and the licensee may go about carrying for sale or barter, exposing therefor and selling or bartering in any city or town any meats, butter, cheese, fish, fruits, vegetables or other goods, wares or merchandise, the sale of which is not prohibited by statute. A hawker or peddler licensed under this section shall not be required to be licensed under section 17. A hawker or peddler licensed under this section shall be subject to such local rules and regulations as may be made in a city by the mayor and city council and in a town by the board of selectmen.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 1968–2006 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Gordon, 242 N.E.2d 399 (Mass. 1968).
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Commonwealth v. Gordon, 242 N.E.2d 399 (Mass. 1968). · cites it 2× “Notwithstanding the specific reference solely to § 14 in the motion to dismiss, the principal argument on behalf of the defendant is that G. L. c. 101, § 22 (as amended through St.”
Fontaine v. Lamb, 10 Mass. L. Rptr. 162 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1999). · cites it 2× “Lamb’s (“the Chief’) refusal to sign the certificate of good character that Fontaine must have pursuant to G.L.c. 101, §22 2 in order to obtain a license to peddle.”
Fontaine v. McAvene, 5 Mass. L. Rptr. 434 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1996). · cites it 3× “In 1987, McAvene, as the Chief of Police for the Town of Lancaster, pursuant to G.L.c. 101, §22, made the required certification to renew Fontaine’s license, and the license was subsequently renewed.”
Cadle Co. v. Massachusetts Div. of Banks, 21 Mass. L. Rptr. 689 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2006). “722, 726 (1968) (no constitutional right to a hearing where licensing statute provides that director “may” grant a license for hawking and peddling under G.L.c. 101, §22 after police chief certifies that applicant is “of good repute for morals and integrity”).”
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