Providence, RI Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max sales per year
- Two per owner/tenant
- Max duration
- Two consecutive days
- License fee
- $5.00
- Issuing authority
- Board of Licenses
- Applies in
- Zones R-1 through R-5
Summary
Providence caps residential yard and garage sales at two licensed sales per year, each running no more than two consecutive days, under a Board of Licenses permit.
Such license, the fee for which shall be five dollars ($5.00), shall be issued to the owner or tenant of such dwelling or property not more than a total of two (2) times within any one-year period and no license shall be valid for a period of more than two (2) consecutive days.(d)Each license issued pursuant to this section shall be prominently displayed on the premises upon which such sale is conducted throughout the entire period of the licensed sale.(e)Any violation of this section shall be punishable by those penalties enumerated in section 1-10 of the Code of Ordinances. (Ord. 1984, Ch. 84-73, § 1, 11-16-84)
Editor's note— Ch. 84-73, approved Nov. 16, 1984, amended the Code but did not specify a section number to be assigned to its provisions; therefore, codification as § 14-13 has been at the editor's discretion.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7).
Full Breakdown
Anyone hosting a garage, yard, or similar sale on residential property zoned R-1 through R-5 needs a $5 yard sale license from the Board of Licenses before the sale happens. The city issues that license to a given owner or tenant no more than twice in any one-year period, and each license is only good for up to two consecutive days. The license has to be displayed prominently on the premises for the entire sale. The rule covers any sale offering more than one household item to the general public, not just sales explicitly branded a garage or yard sale.
Violations & Fines
Violations are punishable under the general penalty schedule in Code of Ordinances section 1-10, which covers ordinance violations citywide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many garage sales can I hold per year in Providence?
How long can a Providence garage sale run?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Providence
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Frequency, Duration & Permits in Nearby Cities
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