DeKalb County, GA Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)

3, "Temporary Outdoor Uses Operational Requirements," set out under Sec. 2 of the DeKalb County zoning code, lists yard sales as limited to three consecutive days, once every six months, during daylight hours only, and specifically marks yard sales as not requiring a special administrative permit, unlike every other temporary use in the table (Christmas tree sales, charitable events, produce stands, seasonal sales, retail displays, outdoor events and farmers markets all require one). Sec. 6 then adds the substantive rules: a yard sale may be conducted on private property without a permit but cannot be conducted within the public right-of-way.

Goods sold must be the legal property of the homeowner, other sale participants, or members of a participating organization; items bought specifically for resale at the sale are not allowed. Only two temporary signs are permitted during the sale, and they must be on private property with the owner's permission, may not sit in the public right-of-way or be attached to a utility pole, and must be removed immediately once the sale ends. Any unsold merchandise remaining at the end of the sale must be removed immediately, and merchandise a buyer purchased must be removed within 24 hours of the sale's conclusion.

These limits apply only to unincorporated DeKalb County; a yard sale inside Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Tucker, Stonecrest, Decatur, Chamblee, Doraville, Clarkston, Avondale Estates, Lithonia, Pine Lake or Stone Mountain follows that city's own rules, not the county code.