Des Moines residents may hold no more than two garage sales per year, each lasting a maximum of four consecutive days. Sales must involve used household goods sold by the owner on a non-commercial, non-profit basis. Exceeding these limits requires a business license.
Under the Des Moines Municipal Code (Chapter 30 — Business), garage and yard sales are exempt from business-license requirements only when they qualify as casual and occasional sales of used household goods by the owner, conducted on a non-recurring, non-profit basis. The exemption applies if: (1) each sale runs no more than four consecutive days, and (2) no more than two such sales occur per calendar year per property. Goods sold must be items the household already owns — reselling purchased merchandise is prohibited. Signs must comply with temporary-sign rules. Enforcement is handled by Neighborhood Services.
Operating beyond the two-sale or four-day limits without a business license is a municipal infraction; fines typically start at $100 and may escalate for repeat violations.
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