Salem, other Mid-Valley cities limit how many garage sales you can have. Why is that? (2025)

Salem, other Mid-Valley cities limit how many garage sales you can have. Why is that? (1)

This is part of a weekly series answering "Why is that?" questions about Salem and the Mid-Valley.

The question: Why do most communities limit how many garage sales you can have? We have the answer. But first, a little history.

The background: Garage sale season may be winding down, but chances are you can find one somewhere around Salem whenever the weather is decent.

Traditionally, the season begins in the spring with the arrival of warmer weather and the urge to spring clean. Sales continue through the summer and typically peak a couple weeks before school starts with National Garage Sale Day recognized on the second Saturday in August.

Lingering mild temperatures in Oregon and the urge to declutter before winter can bring a resurgence in the fall.

Garage sales are practically a national pastime, and have been for decades.

The origins date back to the 1800s when shipyards would host discount sales of unclaimed cargo called "rommages." Churches and other social organizations turned the concept into fundraisers, leading to what we know as rummage sales.

This type of sale moved into homes and neighborhoods in the 1950s and 1960s as Americans became more affluent and accumulated more stuff. The name garage sale came about as more houses had garages.

TV shows such as "Antiques Roadshow" and "Flea Market Flip" have contributed to their popularity. Online posting sites and listing services from Craigslist to Gsalr.com have elevated the game. Gsalr.com, for example, offers bargain hunters a map interface and planner to stake out a weekend of garage, yard and estate sale hopping.

Encyclopedia.com says Americans annually host an estimated 6.5-9 million garage sales. An infographic on visual.ly shows Oregon has more yard sales per capita than any other state.

That is despite many cities capping the number of garage sales at one to six per year. Some limit the number of days and hours they can run and even require permits.

Monmouth and Dallas residents need a permit to host a garage sale and are allowed two per calendar year. Monmouth City Hall has issued 109 permits so far this year.

Salem does not require a permit, and neither does Keizer. Both cities do have ordinances limiting the number of garage sales per residence to three in a calendar year, and each sale can extend no more than three days.

Keizer has had its ordinance on the books since at least 1992 and Salem since 1984. Prior to that, Salem relied on administrative guidelines with the same limitations.

Why is it illegal to have too many garage sales in Salem?

Cities regulate garage sales for several reasons while striving for a balance between property rights and the separation of commercial and residential uses.

The primary reason is the disruptive impact sales potentially have on the neighborhood where the sale happens, including traffic, parking and noise problems. Most neighborhoods are not designed to handle traffic like a storefront.

Another reason is that someone holding an ongoing garage sale could be trying to skirt city zoning and licensing requirements.

Garage sale signs also can be a nuisance. Signs are often placed where they should not be, such as on parking strips, utility poles or parked cars, and can create visibility hazards. Many are never removed after the sales, creating an eyesore and litter.

Oh, by the way

Enforcement of garage sale laws is, by and large, driven by complaints because most cities have staffing limitations.

Years ago, a neighbor complained about a Salem woman holding an ongoing yard sale to pay for her medical bills, and the city shut it down. The woman had no idea she was breaking the law, and no citation was issued. City officials got involved in finding ways to help her, and community members collected donations and held fundraisers.

Compliance officers in Salem see about 10 yard sale violations each year, a criminal misdemeanor that carries a $500 fine and the possibility of 30 days in jail. However, city staff said no citations have been issued in recent memory.

Compliance officers instead prefer to work with residents to help them avoid future violations, reminding them a sale is defined as from one to three consecutive days at a single location and suggesting households work together to hold sales at different locations to avoid violating the rules.

Citations are rarely, if ever, issued in Keizer as well. The fine for violating the Keizer zoning code, where the city's garage sale ordinance falls, is $500. The code compliance office has not issued a citation in at least eight years, although it has sent notices to residents, notifying or reminding them of the rules.

Capi Lynn is a senior reporter for the Statesman Journal. Email your "Why is that" questions to her at clynn@statesmanjournal.com.

Salem, other Mid-Valley cities limit how many garage sales you can have. Why is that? (2025)

FAQs

Salem, other Mid-Valley cities limit how many garage sales you can have. Why is that? ›

The primary reason is the disruptive impact sales potentially have on the neighborhood where the sale happens, including traffic, parking and noise problems.

What is a good amount of cash to have for a garage sale? ›

Cash and Venmo are great options. Consider how much cash you'll need on hand to make change for attendees and stop by the bank ahead of time. Conventional advice is to have at least $100 cash available to make change.

Where is the largest garage sale? ›

The 127 Yard Sale is an annual event that takes place the first Thursday-Sunday in August each year. It's literally, The World's Longest Yard Sale! The route spans 6 states (Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama) and is 690 miles long.

Do you need a permit to have a yard sale in California? ›

When you have a garage sale and sell used items, you are generally not required to hold a seller's permit. However, if you have more than two garage sales within a 12-month period, you are required to hold a seller's permit.

How do I maximize my garage sale? ›

7 Tips for a Profitable Garage Sale
  1. Offer Plenty to Sell. A sparse garage sale doesn't have much curb appeal. ...
  2. Spruce Things Up. ...
  3. Make it Easy to Shop. ...
  4. Don't Price Too High … or Too Low. ...
  5. Remember that Time is Money. ...
  6. Draw Customers with Freebies. ...
  7. Offer Profitable Extras.

What sells best at yard sales? ›

Like we mentioned, you can try to sell lots of things at a garage sale, but that doesn't mean they'll actually sell. It's important to keep in mind some things are in higher demand than others. Selecting in-demand sale items like books, dishes, and tools helps you have a more successful yard sale.

What are the disadvantages of a garage sale? ›

Another significant downside is that a garage sale is a lot of work. Successful garage sales involve (and require) a lot of preparation like making signs, placing ads, getting permits, pricing items, and getting up before dawn on the day of the sale to set everything up.

Do I need a business license to sell crafts in California? ›

Anyone who sells anything that is subject to sales tax needs a seller's permit in California. This includes limited sales events like pop-up shops and garage sales. You're also required to obtain a seller's permit if you're performing a service for a customer or client that involves rendering them a tangible good.

Do street vendors need a permit in California? ›

In most California cities, street vendors need to obtain a license or permit from the city in order to sell food, beverages or any type of merchandise, as well as a California Department of Tax and Fee Administration seller's permit that allows them to collect sales tax and report it to the state.

How do I know if I need a sellers permit in California? ›

Generally, if you make sales of tangible personal property in California, you are required to hold a seller's permit to report and pay tax on those sales, unless the sale qualifies for a specific exemption or exclusion.

What is the best day for a garage sale? ›

Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings are usually the best time to hold a successful garage sale. Consider scheduling your sale on the first weekend of the month—when people have just gotten paid and haven't spent all their fun money yet.

What is the best time of day for a yard sale? ›

Garage sales usually start early in the morning, around 7 a.m., and end mid-afternoon. The busiest hours of a garage sale are often between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., before temperatures get too high. Depending on how many items you plan to sell, you may want to spread the sale out over multiple days.

Is it better to price items at a garage sale? ›

Although not everyone puts price tags on their garage sale merchandise, pricing your merchandise in advance will make the day of the sale less hectic for you. Additionally, it may make customers more likely to buy.

How much petty cash should be on hand? ›

The small amount of cash that a company considers petty will vary, with many companies keeping between $100 and $500 as a petty cash fund. Examples of transactions that a petty cash fund is used for include: Office supplies. Cards for customers.

What is the best month to have a garage sale? ›

Early spring (around late March, April, and May) is the most popular time for a garage sale. It's just after winter, when people are eager to head outdoors, and will give you time for some spring cleaning, so you'll know what items you want to sell.

How much money should you bring to a flea market? ›

But how much should you carry? Generally around $50–100 a day in various small bills and a variety of coins for change. An ATM is available on site at Mile High Flea Market if you need more cash. Also, try to price your items rounding up or down to the nearest dollar to avoid using coins.

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