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Indianapolis, IN Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Max sales per year
Two per location
Max duration
Three consecutive days
First violation fine
Not less than $50.00
Third+ violation fine
Not less than $200.00
No resale of resale goods
Prohibited under Sec. 987-203(a)
Permit needed
No, self-enforcing prohibition

Summary

Indianapolis residents may hold no more than two garage sales at the same address each calendar year, and each sale cannot run longer than three consecutive days. The rule applies to advertised sales of used personal property at homes in dwelling districts or properties otherwise used mainly as a residence.

(a)It shall be unlawful for a person to hold or allow to be held more than two (2) garage sales at the same location during the same calendar year.(b)It shall be unlawful for a person to hold or allow to be held a garage sale with a duration of more than three (3) consecutive days.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

Sec. 987-201 defines a garage sale as an advertised sale of used, tangible personal property at a location zoned as a dwelling district or planned unit development district under Chapter 731, or otherwise used primarily as a residence. Sec. 987-202(a) makes it unlawful to hold, or allow to be held, more than two garage sales at the same location in the same calendar year, and Sec. 987-202(b) separately caps each sale's duration at three consecutive days. Beyond the frequency and duration limits, Sec. 987-203(a) bars reselling merchandise that was originally bought for resale, meaning a garage sale cannot function as an unlicensed retail operation.

Sec. 987-203(b) bans holding the sale within the travel portion of a street or alley, or on any median, while the street or alley is open to traffic, and bans blocking a public sidewalk or right-of-way in a way that impedes pedestrian flow. 10(C) of the Sign Regulations of Marion County, Appendix D, Part 19 (Sec. 987-203(c)). None of these rules require a permit or license application; the limits are self-enforcing prohibitions that a resident is expected to follow without registering the sale with the city first.

Violations & Fines

Sec. 987-205 sets an escalating fine schedule for any violation of the garage sale article, separate from the Code's general penalty in Sec. 103-3: not less than $50 for a first violation, not less than $75 for a second, and not less than $200 for a third or any later violation. Each unlawful garage sale, whether it exceeds the twice-a-year limit, runs past three days, or blocks a street or sidewalk, can be cited under this schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many garage sales can I hold at my Indianapolis home each year?
No more than two. Sec. 987-202(a) makes it unlawful to hold, or allow to be held, more than two garage sales at the same location during the same calendar year, and Sec. 987-202(b) further limits each individual sale to three consecutive days.
Can I sell items I bought specifically to resell at my garage sale?
No. Sec. 987-203(a) makes it unlawful to offer for sale or sell, at a garage sale, any used personal property that was previously purchased for the purpose of resale, which keeps garage sales limited to residents clearing out their own household goods rather than running an informal retail business.
What is the fine for holding too many garage sales?
Sec. 987-205 sets fines of not less than $50.00 for a first violation, not less than $75.00 for a second, and not less than $200.00 for a third or any later violation of the garage sale article, on top of the enforcement procedures under Sec. 103-3.
Do I need a permit to hold a garage sale in Indianapolis?
No permit or license is required. Chapter 987, Article II simply limits garage sales to two per location per year and three consecutive days each, bans street or sidewalk obstruction, and restricts advertising signs, all as self-enforcing prohibitions rather than a permitting scheme.

Sources & Official References

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All Indianapolis rules

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