Colonie, NY Garage & Yard Sales: Garage Sale Permits (2026)

Per the Town of Colonie Building Department, no permit is required to hold an occasional personal garage sale, yard sale, tag sale, or estate sale at a residence. The activity is treated as accessory to the residential use under Chapter 190 (Zoning and Land Use) Article V (Use Regulations). The Building Department FAQ states that importing items to sell from off-premises converts the activity into a retail business and violates Chapter 190 because retail is not a permitted home occupation in residential districts. Permissible items are limited to those owned by the resident, household members, or close friends or family contributing personal goods. The Building Department primarily administers these provisions together with the Town's Christmas tree sale, telecommunications, adult use, and home occupation standards. There is no separate signage permit, but signage is regulated (see frequency-limits entry). New York State sales tax: an occasional home garage sale by a non-vendor is generally exempt under NYS Tax Law section 1115 and Publication 750 (casual sale exemption); a person making more than two such sales in a year may need to register as a vendor.