Fort Smith, AR Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Frequency limit
- once per 6 months
- Max permit length
- 3 calendar days
- Permit issued by
- city administrator
- False statement penalty
- misdemeanor, § 13-3
Summary
Fort Smith limits garage, yard, porch, and patio sales to one per address every six months, with each permit capped at three calendar days.
No permit shall be issued for a period in excess of three calendar days. No permit shall be issued until the applicant therefor shall sign a statement that such sale shall be of personal property owned by such person, that such property was not purchased for the purpose of resale, and that any similar sale has not been held by that person or at the address proposed for the sale (unless there has been a change in the ownership or rental occupancy of the residential structure at such address) during the previous six-month period of time. (Code 1976, § 19-9; Code 1992, § 13-2; Ord. No. 43-00, § 1, 8-15-2000)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 13-2, the city administrator will not issue a garage sale permit unless the applicant swears that no similar sale has been held by that person, or at the proposed address, within the previous six months, unless the property changed hands or tenants in the meantime. Each permit that is issued is good for no more than three calendar days. The rule applies to garage, porch, patio, and yard sales alike, and covers a change of seller at the same address just as much as repeat sales by the same resident.
Violations & Fines
Lying on the required statement to get around the six-month limit is a separate offense: § 13-3 makes a false statement on a garage sale permit application a misdemeanor, punishable under the general penalty section, § 1-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I hold a garage sale at my house in Fort Smith?
Can a garage sale run longer than a weekend?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Smith
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