Des Moines does not require a permit to hold a garage or yard sale, but limits residents to two sales per year, each lasting no more than four consecutive days. Sales are only allowed in residential zoning districts.
Under Des Moines Municipal Code Chapter 78, Section 78-10 (Exemptions from peddler/solicitor licensing), casual and occasional sales of used household goods by the owner to the public are exempt from business licensing provided: (1) the seller is not regularly engaged in selling such goods for profit; (2) each sale lasts no more than four consecutive days; and (3) no more than two sales are conducted annually at the same address. Sales are limited to residential zoning districts. The City's Neighborhood Services Department (Illegal Businesses page) confirms no permit is required, but exceeding these limits may trigger enforcement as an unlicensed business.
Exceeding the two-per-year or four-day-per-sale limits may result in enforcement action as an unlicensed business under Chapter 78, with potential fines and cease-and-desist orders.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Des Moines's garage sale permits rules stack up against other locations.
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