Decatur, AL Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)

Article VIII of chapter 14 of the Code of Decatur, Alabama, sets two hard limits. Section 14-223 makes it unlawful to hold a garage sale longer than three consecutive days. Section 14-224 makes it unlawful to hold or conduct more than two garage sales within the same calendar year, and adds that under no circumstances can the same residential lot be used for more than a total of two garage sales in a calendar year. The lot cap follows the address, so a second household cannot reset the count for the same lot.

The article defines a garage sale in § 14-221 as any garage sale, lawn sale, attic sale, rummage sale, flea market sale or similar casual sale of tangible personal property on a residential lot within the city limits, where the goods are household furnishings or personal possessions of the people running the sale who live at the premises. Section 14-222 prohibits offering property acquired for resale, or accepted on consignment for display and sale, at a garage sale.

A permit is required. Under § 14-225 nobody can conduct a garage sale without first filing the required information with the city clerk and receiving a garage sale permit, no fee is charged, and the permit must be displayed prominently on the premises throughout the sale. Section 14-226 asks for the name of each seller, the owner's name and consent if the applicant is not the owner, the location, the number of days and the hours, the date and nature of any past sale, any relationship with other sellers, whether the applicant holds any other vendor's license, and a sworn statement that the information is true.

Section 14-227 exempts sales under a court order or process, public officials acting in their duties, and anyone selling or advertising specifically named or described items that do not exceed five in number.