Lake County, IN Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Garage-sale-specific rule
- None; uses temporary sign rule
- Max size
- 8 square feet
- Number
- One per residential lot
- Frequency
- Twice per year, remove in 45 days
- Utility poles / ROW
- Prohibited placement
Summary
Unincorporated Lake County has no garage-sale-specific sign rule. A garage-sale sign is a temporary residential sign under UDO 154-15-030.F.3: one freestanding or wall sign up to 8 sq ft per residential lot, usable no more than twice a year, and removed within 45 days. Right-of-way and utility-pole placement is prohibited.
One temporary freestanding or wall sign is allowed on a lot occupied by an allowed residential use, provided that such sign does not exceed 8 square feet in area... [and] may be used no more than 2 times per year and must be removed no later than 45 days after installation.
Full Breakdown
Under UDO No. 2560 section 154-15-030.F.3.a, lots occupied by an allowed residential use may display one temporary freestanding or wall sign up to 8 sq ft, no more than two times per year, removed within 45 days of installation. This is the category a garage-sale sign falls under. Prohibited placements (154-15-020) include signs in or obstructing the public right-of-way, signs affixed to a tree, utility pole, or traffic-control device, and signs that obstruct sightlines or traffic signals. Signs must generally be set back at least 10 ft from street rights-of-way (154-15-040.B). Incorporated municipalities in Lake County set their own garage-sale sign rules.
Violations & Fines
Improperly placed signs may be removed; ongoing sign violations follow the UDO's 15-day cure notice and citation penalties up to $2,500 (first) and $7,500 (subsequent) under IC 36-1-3-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can my garage-sale sign be?
Can I staple signs to power poles or put them by the road?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Indiana sign regulations overview
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