Do you need a permit for a garage sale?

Short answer: probably not for an occasional sale of your own things, but the rule is set by your city, not your state — and signage is regulated more often than the sale itself. We record what applies in 166 cities across 72 states and provinces.

The answer in one paragraph

Most municipalities in the US and Canada do not require a permit for a household selling its own used belongings from its own property. The exceptions that trip people up are selling goods bought for resale, holding sales more than a set number of days a year, using a garage or driveway that is not yours, and putting signs on public property. Pick your state below for the cities we have recorded.

🇺🇸 United States

Arizona3 cities · full page

Mesa — Mesa requires a free garage sale permit, available online, and limits sales to four per year per address. Signs must stay on private property.
Phoenix — Phoenix does not require a garage sale permit. Up to 4 sales per year are allowed, each up to 3 days. Signs must be on private property only.
Tucson — Tucson requires a free garage sale permit, available online, and limits sales to four per year per address. Signs must stay on private property.

California7 cities · full page

Fresno — Fresno does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
Los Angeles — Los Angeles requires a free garage sale permit in some districts; others require no permit for up to 5 days per year. Signs on public property are prohibited.
Oakland — Occasional home garage sales don't require a City of Oakland permit; posting signs on utility poles or public property is restricted.
Sacramento — Sacramento does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
San Diego — San Diego does not require a permit for occasional residential yard sales, but limits them to three per year per address. Signs must stay on private property.
San Francisco — San Francisco generally does not require a permit for residential stoop sales in front of your own residence. Signs must stay on private property.
San Jose — San Jose does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Colorado2 cities

Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
Denver — Denver does not require a garage sale permit for up to two sales per calendar year. Signs must be placed on private property with owner permission.

District of Columbia1 city

Washington — DC requires a free Yard Sale Permit, available online, and limits sales to three per year per address. Signs must stay on private property.

Florida4 cities · full page

Jacksonville — Jacksonville does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
Miami — Miami requires a garage sale permit ($20 fee) for each sale. Residents are limited to two sales per year. Signs must be removed immediately after the sale.
Orlando — Orlando does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
Tampa — Tampa requires a $10 Yard Sale Permit, valid for two consecutive days, with a limit of four sales per year per address. Signs must stay on private property.

Georgia1 city

Atlanta — Atlanta does not require a garage sale permit. Up to two sales are permitted per year per household. Signs are restricted to private property.

Idaho1 city

Boise — Boise does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Illinois1 city

Chicago — Chicago requires a garage sale permit in certain wards ($5-10 fee). Sales are limited to two per year, up to three days each. Signs on public poles are prohibited.

Indiana1 city

Indianapolis — Indianapolis does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Kentucky1 city

Louisville — Louisville does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Louisiana1 city

New Orleans — New Orleans does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Maryland1 city

Baltimore — Baltimore requires a free one-day Yard Sale Permit, available online. Signs must stay on private property.

Massachusetts1 city

Boston — Boston does not require a permit for occasional residential yard sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Michigan2 cities

Detroit — Detroit does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
Grand Rapids — Grand Rapids does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Minnesota1 city

Minneapolis — Minneapolis does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Missouri2 cities

Kansas City — Kansas City does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
St. Louis — St. Louis does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Nebraska1 city

Omaha — Omaha does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Nevada1 city

Las Vegas — Las Vegas requires a free garage sale permit, available online, with limits on frequency. Signs must stay on private property.

New Mexico1 city

Albuquerque — Albuquerque does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

New York2 cities

Buffalo — Buffalo does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
New York — New York City requires a Temporary Street Activity Permit for sales on public property; stoop sales in front of your residence generally do not need a permit. Signs must stay on private property.

North Carolina2 cities

Charlotte — Charlotte requires a $10 garage sale permit and limits sales to two per year per address. Signs must stay on private property.
Raleigh — Raleigh does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Ohio3 cities · full page

Cincinnati — Cincinnati does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
Cleveland — Cleveland does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
Columbus — Columbus does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but limits them and requires signs to stay on private property.

Oklahoma2 cities

Oklahoma City — Oklahoma City allows occasional residential garage sales without a permit, with limits on frequency per address. Signs must stay on private property.
Tulsa — Tulsa does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but limits their frequency and requires signs to stay on private property.

Oregon1 city

Portland — Portland does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Pennsylvania2 cities

Philadelphia — Philadelphia requires a Commercial Activity License for some sales; single-family yard sales generally don't need one. Signs must stay on private property.
Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Tennessee2 cities

Memphis — Memphis does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
Nashville — Nashville does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Texas5 cities · full page

Austin — Austin requires a free garage sale permit (two per year, up to three days each). Signs on private property only, removed within 24 hours.
Dallas — Dallas requires a garage sale permit (~$25, two per year, up to three days each). Signs on private property, up 24h before and removed 24h after.
El Paso — El Paso does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.
Houston — The City of Houston requires a free garage sale permit (two sales per year, up to three days each). Signs are allowed on private property only.
San Antonio — San Antonio requires a free garage sale permit (two per year, up to three days each). Signs on private property only.

Utah1 city

Salt Lake City — Salt Lake City does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Virginia1 city

Richmond — Richmond does not require a permit for occasional residential yard sales, but signs must stay on private property.

Washington1 city

Seattle — Seattle does not require a garage sale permit. Residents can host up to three sales per year. Signs on public property are prohibited.

Wisconsin1 city

Milwaukee — Milwaukee does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property.

🇨🇦 Canada

Alberta23 cities · full page

Airdrie — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Airdrie can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Airdrie rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Beaumont — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Beaumont can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Beaumont rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Brooks — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Brooks can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Brooks rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Calgary — Calgary garage-sale signs are limited to three and may be posted only the day before and the day of the sale. They must include the owner's name, address, phone number and date posted, and cannot block traffic, sit on medians, or be attached to street-light, traffic-signal or City sign poles.official
Camrose — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Camrose can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Camrose rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Chestermere — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Chestermere can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Chestermere rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Cochrane — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Cochrane can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Cochrane rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Cold Lake — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Cold Lake can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Cold Lake rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Edmonton — Edmonton generally exempts an occasional residential garage sale from a development permit or business licence when you sell your own household items, not goods acquired for resale. The City allows up to three consecutive days and three sales per address per year. Non-illuminated private-property signs can be up to 1 square metre and 1.2 metres high without a sign permit.official
Fort McMurray — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Fort McMurray can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Fort McMurray rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Fort Saskatchewan — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Fort Saskatchewan can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Fort Saskatchewan rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Grande Prairie — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Grande Prairie can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Grande Prairie rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Lacombe — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Lacombe can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Lacombe rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Leduc — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Leduc can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Leduc rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Lethbridge — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Lethbridge can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Lethbridge rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Lloydminster — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Lloydminster can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Lloydminster rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Medicine Hat — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Medicine Hat can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Medicine Hat rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Okotoks — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Okotoks can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Okotoks rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Red Deer — Red Deer garage-sale signs do not need a permit when they are put out no more than 48 hours before the sale, removed within 24 hours after it ends, and displayed for no more than 72 consecutive hours. Keep signs clear of traffic controls, fire hydrants, street lights and transit signs.official
Sherwood Park — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Sherwood Park can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Sherwood Park rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Spruce Grove — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Spruce Grove can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Spruce Grove rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
St. Albert — A garage sale sign may be placed on a boulevard in a residential district only when it follows St. Albert's current sign rules. Check the municipal guidance before sale day.official
Wetaskiwin — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Wetaskiwin can vary by location and property type. Check the current City of Wetaskiwin rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.

British Columbia13 cities · full page

Abbotsford — Abbotsford does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
Burnaby — Burnaby does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
Chilliwack — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Chilliwack, British Columbia can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Coquitlam — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Coquitlam, British Columbia can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Kamloops — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Kamloops, British Columbia can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Kelowna — Kelowna does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
Maple Ridge — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Maple Ridge, British Columbia can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Nanaimo — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Nanaimo, British Columbia can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Prince George — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Prince George, British Columbia can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Richmond — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Richmond, British Columbia can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Surrey — Surrey does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property and be removed the same day.
Vancouver — Vancouver does not require a garage sale permit. Signs are only allowed on private property and must be removed immediately after the sale.
Victoria — Victoria does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property and be removed the same day.

Manitoba2 cities

Brandon — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Brandon, Manitoba can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Winnipeg — Winnipeg does not require a permit for residential garage sales, but signs must stay on private property and be removed promptly.

New Brunswick3 cities · full page

Fredericton — Fredericton does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
Moncton — Moncton does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
Saint John — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Saint John, New Brunswick can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.

Newfoundland and Labrador1 city

St. John's — St. John's does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.

Northwest Territories1 city

Yellowknife — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.

Nova Scotia1 city

Halifax — Halifax does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.

Nunavut1 city

Iqaluit — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Iqaluit, Nunavut can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.

Ontario23 cities · full page

Barrie — Barrie does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
Brampton — Brampton does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
Brantford — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Brantford, Ontario can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Burlington — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Burlington, Ontario can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Greater Sudbury — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Greater Sudbury, Ontario can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Guelph — Guelph does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property and be removed the same day.
Hamilton — Hamilton does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property and be removed the same day.
Kingston — Kingston does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
Kitchener — Kitchener does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
London — London does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property and be removed the same day.
Markham — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Markham, Ontario can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Mississauga — Mississauga does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property and be removed promptly.
Oakville — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Oakville, Ontario can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Oshawa — Oshawa does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property and be removed promptly.
Ottawa — Ottawa does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must be placed on private property and removed the same day.
Richmond Hill — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Richmond Hill, Ontario can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Sault Ste. Marie — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
St. Catharines — St. Catharines does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
Thunder Bay — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Thunder Bay, Ontario can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Toronto — Toronto does not require a garage sale permit. Residents can host up to two sales per year. Signs must not block sidewalks or be attached to public poles.
Vaughan — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Vaughan, Ontario can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Whitby — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Whitby, Ontario can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Windsor — Windsor does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.

Prince Edward Island1 city

Charlottetown — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.

Quebec8 cities · full page

Gatineau — Gatineau does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signage must stay on private property.
Laval — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Laval, Quebec can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Longueuil — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Longueuil, Quebec can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Montreal — Montreal does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales (ventes de cour), but signage must stay on private property.
Quebec City — Quebec City does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales, but signage must stay on private property.
Saguenay — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Saguenay, Quebec can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Sherbrooke — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Sherbrooke, Quebec can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.
Trois-Rivières — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Trois-Rivières, Quebec can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.

Saskatchewan2 cities

Regina — Regina does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.
Saskatoon — Saskatoon does not require a garage sale permit, but signs must stay on private property.

Yukon1 city

Whitehorse — Garage-sale and sign requirements in Whitehorse, Yukon can vary by location and property type. Check the current municipal rules before posting signs, using public property, or selling goods acquired for resale.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Greater London1 city

London — London boroughs do not require a licence to sell your own household items from your own property, but street trading on the pavement or highway needs council permission.

Greater Manchester1 city

Manchester — Manchester City Council does not require a licence for a private house-clearance or garage sale on your own property; street trading on public land does need consent.

Merseyside1 city

Liverpool — Liverpool City Council does not require a permit for a private garage sale on your own property; trading on the street or a public car park needs consent.

Nottinghamshire1 city

Nottingham — Nottingham City Council does not require a licence for a private garage sale at home; selling from the street or a public space needs street trading consent.

Scotland2 cities

Edinburgh — The City of Edinburgh Council does not require a licence to sell your own household items from your own property; public street trading is licensed separately.
Glasgow — Glasgow City Council does not require a licence to sell your own household goods from your own property; street trading elsewhere requires a licence.

South West England1 city

Bristol — Bristol City Council does not require a licence for a private sale of your own belongings at home; street trading on public land needs consent.

South Yorkshire1 city

Sheffield — Sheffield City Council does not require a permit for a private garage or car boot sale on your own property; street trading needs consent.

Tyne and Wear1 city

Newcastle upon Tyne — Newcastle City Council does not require a permit for a private house sale on your own property; street trading on public land needs consent.

Wales1 city

Cardiff — Cardiff Council does not require a licence to sell your own possessions from your own property; trading on the street or public land requires street trading consent.

West Midlands1 city

Birmingham — Birmingham City Council does not require a permit to sell your own belongings from your own property; selling from the street or a public car park needs a street trading consent.

West Yorkshire1 city

Leeds — Leeds City Council does not require a licence for a private garage or car boot sale held on your own property; public-land trading needs street trading consent.

🇮🇪 Ireland

County Cork1 city

Cork — Cork City and County Councils do not require a permit for a private sale of your own belongings at home; casual trading on public land needs a licence.

County Dublin1 city

Dublin — Dublin's local authorities do not require a permit to sell your own household items from your own property; casual trading in public places requires a casual trading licence.

County Galway1 city

Galway — Galway City Council does not require a permit for a private garage sale on your own property; casual trading in public places requires a licence.

County Limerick1 city

Limerick — Limerick City and County Council does not require a permit to sell your own possessions at home; casual trading on public land needs a licence.

🇦🇺 Australia

Australian Capital Territory1 city

Canberra — The ACT does not require a permit for a garage sale at your own home; signs placed on public land are subject to territory rules.

New South Wales1 city

Sydney — Sydney councils do not require a permit for a garage sale held on your own property, and many run council-wide garage sale trails; signs on public land and footpath displays are restricted.

Queensland2 cities

Brisbane — Brisbane City Council does not require a permit for a garage sale at your own home, though it limits how often you can hold one; advertising signs on public land are restricted.
Gold Coast — City of Gold Coast does not require a permit for a garage sale at your own home, with limits on frequency; signage on public land is restricted.

South Australia1 city

Adelaide — Adelaide councils do not require a permit for a garage sale on your own property; placing signs on footpaths or roundabouts generally does need council approval.

Tasmania1 city

Hobart — Hobart councils do not require a permit for a garage sale on your own property; signage on public land needs council approval.

Victoria1 city

Melbourne — Melbourne councils do not require a permit for a garage sale on your own property; several run an annual Garage Sale Trail weekend, and A-frame signs on public land need council approval.

Western Australia1 city

Perth — Perth councils generally allow garage sales at your own home without a permit, with limits on how many you may hold each year; verge collections are scheduled separately by each council.

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Auckland1 city

Auckland — Auckland Council does not require a permit for a garage sale at your own home; selling on public land or a road reserve needs a trading licence.

Bay of Plenty1 city

Tauranga — Tauranga City Council does not require a permit for a garage sale at your own home; trading on public land requires a licence.

Canterbury1 city

Christchurch — Christchurch City Council does not require a permit for a garage sale at your own home; selling from public land needs a trading permit.

Otago1 city

Dunedin — Dunedin City Council does not require a permit for a garage sale on your own property; selling from public land needs council permission.

Waikato1 city

Hamilton — Hamilton City Council does not require a permit for a garage sale on your own property; street trading needs council approval.

Wellington1 city

Wellington — Wellington City Council does not require a permit for a garage sale held on your own property; trading on the street requires council permission.

Questions sellers ask

Do you need a permit for a garage sale?

Usually not for an occasional sale from your own driveway, but there is no single answer: the rule is set by your city or municipality, not by your state or province. Some cities require a permit if you sell goods you bought for resale, some cap how many weekends a year you may sell, and most regulate signs more strictly than the sale itself.

Are garage sale signs legal?

This is where people get caught out more often than with permits. Many municipalities allow signs on your own property only, and remove or fine signs on telephone poles, traffic signs, trees or road verges. Check the city page linked here before you put a sign out, and take every sign down the same day the sale ends.

What happens if I get it wrong?

Typically a warning or a small fine for signage, and a request to stop if a permit was needed for selling bought goods. It is far cheaper to spend two minutes on your city's own page than to argue later, which is why each entry links to the municipality where we have the page.

How current is this information?

These summaries come from the city entries we maintain alongside every local garage-sale page. Municipal rules change. Treat them as a starting point and confirm on your city's own page before you rely on it.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change and are enforced locally. Heads are rolling elsewhere? Start with our seller guides, and when you are ready, post your sale free.