It shall be unlawful for any transient merchant to sell, dispose of, or offer for sale any tangible personal property of any kind, nature or description, at any time or place within the state of Iowa, outside the limits of any city in the state of Iowa, or within the limits of any city in the state of Iowa that has not by ordinance provided for the licensing of transient merchants, unless such transient merchant has a valid license as provided in this chapter and has complied with the regulations set forth in this chapter.