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.
According to the City of Des Moines Neighborhood Services / Zoning Enforcement Division, properties in residential zoning districts may hold no more than two garage or yard sales in any twelve-month period, with each sale lasting a maximum of four consecutive days. Sales must be conducted between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. No permit fee or application is required prior to holding a sale. Operating beyond these limits — such as holding more than two sales per year or conducting sales that resemble an ongoing commercial retail operation — can result in a zoning violation under Chapter 134 (Zoning Ordinance) accessory-use provisions. Enforcement is handled by the Zoning Enforcement Division.
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.
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