RYE, N.Y. -- Residents are shutting the door on solicitors and peddlers.

From Claremont, Calif., to Yarmouth, Mass., a growing number of towns are using "do not knock" registries to keep door-to-door salespeople away.

Now, a Westchester County suburb may join them.

It's the unanticipated knock on the door that many homeowners find unpleasant and inconvenient.

"The inopportune time; they (come at dinner) or later," Rye resident Rosemary Sinnott said.

Sinnott said this spring and summer her neighborhood has seen many door-to-door solicitors --peddlers trying to make a buck by selling candy and magazines.

Rye Councilmember Catherine Parker said she hears the complaints.

"Particularly, I've heard from moms, home alone with the kids at night, putting the kids to bed, getting that knock on the door. It's very unsettling," Parker said.

So the city council is considering a "do not knock" registry, similar to the "do not call" registry that keeps telemarketers from bugging you on the phone.

Door-to-door solicitors would have to stop at City Hall, obtain a list of homes on the "do not knock" list and face fines if they violate it.

"I think it's a great idea, protects people's privacy. They should go for it," resident Ramiz Masri said.

"I would vote for it!" another resident exclaimed.

Sometimes the knock on the door is the sound of democracy in action -- neighbors passing around a petition or a candidate for public office out meeting voters, so political activities would be exempt from the "do not knock" list.

And in a community filled with young families you can't knock the Girl Scouts, so cookie drives and other local youth group fundraisers would also be exempt.

The Rye proposal would also require peddlers to pass a criminal background check, and ban all door-to-door sales after 8 p.m.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)