Elyria, OH Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)

Chapter 1174 of the Elyria Planning and Zoning Code never uses the words garage sale or yard sale. A sign for one fits the printed definition of a temporary sign in § 1174.02: any sign not constructed or intended for long-term use and which is not permanently mounted or placed in or on any premises. Section 1174.06(E) then sets the conditions that apply to temporary signs in all zoning districts.

Placement comes first. A temporary sign must be on the same lot to which it is an accessory use and no closer than five feet from the right-of-way. No temporary sign shall be illuminated. In an R-LD, R-MD, R-UD or R-TH District a temporary sign cannot exceed eight square feet per sign face; in any other district the cap is thirty-two square feet per face. Signs designed to be moved on trailer wheels, skids or similar devices are not permitted as temporary signage.

Removal comes second. No temporary sign, other than real estate and construction signs, shall be displayed longer than twenty days. A special event sign, defined in § 1174.02 as a temporary sign for an event which occurs infrequently, no more than once per quarter, cannot go up more than seventeen days before the event and must come down within two days after it.

Two general rules in § 1174.03 matter for sale signs. Paragraph K bars any sign, except governmental signs, from the public right-of-way or public property without written approval from the Safety-Service Director, and paragraph L states that no snipe signs shall be placed, erected or displayed within the City. A snipe sign is defined as a temporary sign or poster affixed to a tree, utility pole, fence, etc. In residential districts, § 1174.07(A) adds that no sign permitted under § 1174.06 shall be placed or displayed which advertises or promotes goods or services.

The sale itself is separate. Chapter 745 calls it a rummage sale and requires a permit from the office of the Safety-Service Director, with no permit for more than four consecutive days, hours between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and no more than two permits per person per year.