Philadelphia County permits residential garage and yard sales without a permit for casual personal property sales, but requires a Commercial Activity License if a resident conducts more than a few sales per year under Phila. Code 19-2602.
Philadelphia does not require a specific garage sale permit for occasional sales of household goods. Residents may hold yard sales on their own property during daytime hours without advance registration. However, Phila. Code 19-2602 requires a Commercial Activity License for anyone regularly engaging in commerce, which includes repeated sales beyond typical occasional clearance of household items. General practice allows up to 3-4 sales annually without licensing; exceeding this pattern or selling acquired-for-resale merchandise converts the activity to a taxable business. Sales cannot block sidewalks, and any signage must comply with Phila. Code 14-904 (see signs category). BIRT tax may apply if gross receipts exceed $100,000 annually.
Unlicensed commercial activity: $300 under Phila. Code 19-2602. Sidewalk obstruction: $75. Unauthorized signs: $75 each.
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