variety of items in yard and on table

Details on how many and how long garage sales are allowed as well as the obligations of garage sale hosts.

A garage sale is an event organized by an individual or group featuring the sale of personal and household goods that are owned by the host or the host’s family and friends. They are also known as yard, rummage, estate, or multi-family garage sales.

Permit and Licensing Requirements

Garage sales that meet the following exemption criteria do not require a development permit or business licence.

Development Permit and Licence Exemption Criteria

Hosted by Individuals

An individual does not require a development permit or business licence to host a garage sale provided the individual is selling their own personal effects or household items on an occasional basis, with the following criteria being met:

  • The garage sale is not being hosted by a corporation or other business organization
  • The garage sale will not exceed 3 consecutive days
  • No more than 3 garage sales are hosted at the same municipal address within the same calendar year
  • The goods being sold at a garage sale were not purchased or acquired for resale purposes


For information on licence requirements for selling second-hand goods, please refer to the Second-Hand Dealer business licence category.

Garage sales hosted by individuals that don’t meet the above exemption criteria will require a business licence. The type of business licence required depends on the location, frequency, and type of goods sold at the garage sale. For more information, please contact the City’s business licensing team at businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca or call 311.

If you are found operating a garage sale that does not meet the above criteria and do not obtain a valid business licence, a penalty fine of $500 may be issued. If the infraction continues, escalating fines and/or other enforcement action may be initiated.

Hosted by Business Organizations

The following business organizations do not require a development permit or business licence to host a garage sale:

A church or religious society where proceeds from the garage sale are used to fund-raise for church activities and operations

A community league

Garage sales hosted by organizations that don’t meet the above exemption criteria will require a business licence. This includes garage sales hosted by any other corporation or business organization than those listed above. A third party that rents space at a community league or church to host a garage sale must also apply for a City business licence.

The type of business licence required depends on the location, frequency, and type of goods sold at the garage sale. For more information, please contact the City’s business licensing team at businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca or call 311.

If you are found operating a garage sale that does not meet the above criteria and do not obtain a valid business licence, a penalty fine of $500 may be issued. If the infraction continues, escalating fines and/or other enforcement action may be initiated.

Operating Guidelines

Item Display

Garage sale items are to be displayed in a manner that does not impede the sidewalk or road right-of-way. It is recommended that items are stored inside the garage during hours it is not operational.

Signage

Hosts do not require a sign permit if all the following conditions are met (per Section 7.120 of the Zoning Bylaw):

  • Located on their private property
  • Non-illuminated
  • Maximum of 1.2 metres in height
  • Maximum of 1.0 square metres in sign area

Please refer to the sign rules and regulations for the placement of signs on City property, such as roadways, light poles and other public areas that have vehicle or pedestrian traffic.  

Parking

Please inform your garage sale customers of any ​parking restrictions​ on your street and remind them to watch out for common parking infractions, such as:

  • Parked for 72 hours without moving the vehicle: Any vehicle parked on a public road must be moved every 72 hours or it may be considered an abandoned vehicle and may be towed
  • Parked too close to driveway: vehicles must be at least 1.5 metres away from a driveway
  • Parked too close to intersection, fire hydrant, crosswalk, stop sign and yield sign: vehicles must be at least 5 metres away
  • Illegal parking on private property: cars can only be parked on an approved parking location such as a driveway or garage, not on any landscaped areas
  • Illegal parking on boulevard: no parking or vehicle overhang on any portion of a boulevard
  • Illegal parking on a curb crossing: no parking or vehicle overhang on any square top curbs
  • Parking during a seasonal parking ban: For information on winter parking bans and when you will need to move your vehicle, please visit Winter Parking Bans
  • Parking in a Residential Parking Program area: if the garage sale is located within a Residential Parking Program area, accommodations for parking must be provided on the property or other alternate location

Noise 

Everyone has the right to not be disturbed by noise. Residential noise is not permitted from 10pm-7am, 7 days a week. Visit Noise for more information.

Contact Us

Development Services

Contact Development Services Online

Email  developmentpermits@edmonton.ca

Phone  In Edmonton: 311 | Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311