Des Moines restricts residential garage and yard sales to no more than two events per calendar year, each lasting a maximum of four consecutive days. No permit is required, but sales must occur only in residential zoning districts and follow hours set by the nuisance code.
Des Moines Zoning Ordinance Ch. 134, § 134-3 defines 'yard sale' as a casual, occasional sale of used household goods by the owner on a non-recurring basis, limited to no more than four consecutive days and no more than two times per calendar year. Sales exceeding those limits constitute an unlawful commercial use in a residential zone. Sales must take place on the owner's residential property and are subject to general nuisance provisions. The Illegal Businesses page on dsm.city notes that holding more than two sales per year or exceeding four consecutive days converts the activity to an illegal commercial use enforceable by Neighborhood Services (515-283-4046). No sale permit or license is required for complying events.
Exceeding two sales per year or four days per sale constitutes an unlawful commercial use in a residential zone; subject to Zoning Enforcement citation and orders to cease.
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