District of Columbia, DC Property Maintenance: Garage Sale Rules (2026)

DC's property maintenance code (DCMR Title 14 subtitles A-B) does not specifically call out yard sales, but its blight, storage, and appearance standards apply. During an active sale, merchandise may be displayed in the front yard, driveway, or side yard. Between sale days of a multi-day sale, unsold items must be moved indoors or behind the front building line (out of sight from the public street). Leaving items visible in the front yard overnight, or leaving unsold merchandise piled at the curb after the sale concludes, triggers violation of DCMR 14-803 (storage of personal property) and the general blight standards in DCMR 14-903. 'Curb alerts' where unwanted items are left with a free sign can be classified as illegal dumping under DC Code 8-902 if not picked up within 24 hours. Signage from the sale — including directional arrows on the seller's own property and temporary A-frames — must be removed within 24 hours of the sale ending. Illegally posted signs on utility poles, street signs, or trees violate DCMR 24-108 (see garage-sale-permits). Frequent or habitual blight conditions can trigger DOB Housing Regulations inspections and, in severe cases, the Vacant Property designation with escalated tax rates. Tenants in rental properties should check lease terms for additional landlord restrictions on yard sales.