Fees, Restrictions on Garage Sales Approved

Residents who want to hold garage sales must now obtain a permit from City Hall under a new ordinance.

The law is an attempt to curb the number of garage sales residents hold in a year. Tony Vieira, revenue supervisor for the city, said some residents were renting out their yards or holding several sales each year, which he said is unfair to the licensed businesses in the city.

The permit for a garage sale is $6.50 and is valid for two days. Residents cannot hold more than four garage sales a year.

“The people that had ongoing sales are using residential property that’s not zoned for retail,” Vieira said. “They are taking away business from businesses who have to get a license to operate and creating an unfair playing field.”