Ann Arbor, MI Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Hours allowed
- 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Max duration
- 2 days per 6-month period
- Permit required
- None: no garage sale permit
- Fine
- Up to $1,000 civil infraction
Summary
Ann Arbor doesn't license yard sales, but its outdoor-storage nuisance law only excuses furniture set out for one if it's displayed 8 a.m.-6 p.m., watched, signed for sale, and out no more than 2 days in any 6-month stretch.
That such furniture was temporarily placed in an outside location in order that it be offered for sale at a yard or garage sale if each of the following conditions exists: i. The furniture is located in an outside location only during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ... iv. This defense shall not apply if upholstered furniture is located in an outside location for more than 2 days in any 6-month period.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Section 9:7 bans leaving weather-unsuited upholstered furniture outdoors (balconies, porches, decks, lawns) as a nuisance. Its only carve-out for a yard or garage sale requires the furniture to be out just 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., someone present to watch it, a for-sale sign posted, and the whole display gone within 2 days, and the defense evaporates entirely if furniture sits outside more than 2 days in any rolling 6-month period. There's no separate garage-sale permit, application, or per-year cap anywhere in city code; this outdoor-furniture defense is the only sale-specific rule Ann Arbor has.
Violations & Fines
Violating the outdoor-storage nuisance law is a civil infraction carrying a fine up to $1,000, plus costs; unpaid fines against an owner can be assessed against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a garage sale in Ann Arbor?
How many garage sales can I hold per year?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ann Arbor
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