Check city rules about garage sales

Re: “More people are selling possessions to raise cash. Here’s how to avoid the pitfalls,” May 10:

I was very surprised when reading Andrea Chang’s two articles about garage sales that both of them failed to mention reviewing the yard sale regulations of your local city.

Almost all cities in Los Angeles and Orange counties have specific regulations regarding the number of allowed days per year, what can be sold, use of the sidewalk, placement of signs (if allowed at all) and especially obtaining a permit.

She suggests “hanging signs throughout your neighborhood” and “attaching helium balloons or streamers to your signs.”

Both of these are illegal in many cities throughout the region. It would be a shame if someone followed all of Andrea’s suggestions for a successful sale only to have to fork over all their profits in fines to their city.

Dan Berger

Long Beach