How Des Moines Handles Garage & Yard Sales: A Practical Guide

Des Moines maintains 170 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with garage & yard sales. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Des Moines falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Frequency Limits

Des Moines limits residential properties to two garage or yard sales per calendar year. Each sale may last no more than four consecutive days, and sales are permitted only in residential zoning districts between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. No permit is required.

Key details: Sales per year: 2 maximum. Duration per sale: 4 consecutive days max. Permitted hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Permit required: No.

Exceeding the two-sale annual limit or the four-day-per-sale maximum constitutes a zoning violation. Fines and a cease-and-desist order may be issued by Zoning Enforcement.

Time Restrictions

Des Moines restricts residential garage and yard sales to no more than two events per calendar year, each lasting a maximum of four consecutive days. No permit is required, but sales must occur only in residential zoning districts and follow hours set by the nuisance code.

Key details: Max sales per year: 2 per calendar year. Max duration per sale: 4 consecutive days. Permit required: No permit required. Governing code: Des Moines Ch. 134, § 134-3. Allowed zones: Residential districts only.

Exceeding two sales per year or four days per sale constitutes an unlawful commercial use in a residential zone; subject to Zoning Enforcement citation and orders to cease.

Garage Sale Permits

Des Moines does not require a permit to hold a garage or yard sale, but limits residents to two sales per year, each lasting no more than four consecutive days. Sales are only allowed in residential zoning districts.

Key details: Permit required: No permit needed. Max sales per year: 2 per address. Max duration: 4 consecutive days each. Allowed zoning: Residential districts only.

Exceeding the two-per-year or four-day-per-sale limits may result in enforcement action as an unlicensed business under Chapter 78, with potential fines and cease-and-desist orders.

Des Moines is more permissive than most cities when it comes to garage sale permits. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Des Moines's garage & yard sales rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Des Moines is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Des Moines's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.