Newport News, VA Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee
- $5
- Max duration
- 10 consecutive days
- Issued by
- Chief of Police
- Per-address cap
- 4 permits/year
- Gap required
- 45 days between permits
Summary
Newport News requires a $5 police permit for garage, yard, and backyard sales, limited to a single 10-day run per issuance.
No person shall conduct any sales, commonly known as garage sales, backyard sales, yard sales and the like, at which is offered for sale secondhand or used clothing, merchandise or any used articles of whatever character, without first having obtained a permit therefor from the chief of police. The applicant shall pay the sum of five dollars ($5.00) for such permit. Any permit issued hereunder shall be limited in duration to ten (10) consecutive days from the beginning date selected, which shall be reflected on the permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 81).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 37-2 requires anyone holding a garage, backyard, or yard sale to get a $5 permit from the chief of police before the sale. Permits run a maximum of ten consecutive days from the chosen start date and aren't transferable. Sales must be held at the applicant's usual residence, and no more than four permits per year may issue to a given address, counting applications from immediate family members living there, with at least 45 days between one permit's expiration and the next. Advertising signs may only be posted on the property where the sale is held.
Violations & Fines
Violating the garage sale permit rules is punishable by a fine of $20 to $100 per offense (§ 37-2(d)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a garage sale in Newport News?
How many garage sales can I hold per year?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newport News
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