Norfolk, VA Garage & Yard Sales: Garage Sale Permits (2026)

Norfolk treats occasional garage, yard, estate, and moving sales as permitted accessory residential activity. No permit is required if the sales are infrequent, typically no more than two to four per household per year, last no longer than three consecutive days each, occur during daylight hours (roughly 7 AM to dusk), and involve personal household goods only. Sales must be held on the owners private property with merchandise not displayed in the public right-of-way. Parking for customers must respect normal street parking rules, not block driveways, fire hydrants, or crosswalks. Estate sales following a death or move are generally treated the same as garage sales if not recurring. When sales become routine or involve merchandise bought for resale, they cross into retail business activity triggering requirements for a City of Norfolk Business License under the Commissioner of the Revenue, a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, and potential home occupation review. HOA covenants may impose additional restrictions including advance notice, signage limits, and frequency caps beyond the citys rules. Directional signs are subject to Norfolks temporary sign rules (see garage-sale-signs).