Scranton, PA Garage & Yard Sales: Garage Sale Permits (2026)

Scranton's Code of Ordinances at https://ecode360.com/SC1588 does not include a chapter dedicated to garage or yard sales — searches of the City Code on eCode360 return no garage-sale permit chapter, in contrast to neighboring Pennsylvania municipalities (such as North York Borough and Plains Township) which expressly license and restrict yard sales. Within City of Scranton limits, an occasional residential garage sale of household items on private property is treated as a non-commercial use that does not require a City permit. The Scranton Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD) Code Enforcement Division (https://scrantonpa.gov/your-government/oecd/code/) administers business licenses, rental licenses, and contractor registrations, but does not list a separate garage-sale permit. Operationally, residents should be aware of three boundary issues: (1) signs advertising the sale must comply with Scranton's signage rules in the Zoning Ordinance — typically signs are limited to the property where the sale occurs and may not be posted on utility poles, in the public right-of-way, or in planting strips; (2) sales that recur frequently or that involve substantial inventory the seller did not personally use can be treated as unlicensed business activity or as Secondhand Goods and Dealers activity under Scranton Code Chapter 333 (https://ecode360.com/11606630), which requires licensure for ongoing resale operations; and (3) sales of items prohibited by law (firearms without a federal license, untaxed alcohol, controlled substances) remain illegal regardless of garage-sale framing. Lackawanna County does not impose a county-level garage-sale permit.