Union, NY Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)

Garage sale and open house signs are covered by § 300-52.3(W)(1), under the heading Limited signs in the list of signs authorized without a permit. Signs and notices advertising an open house, garage sale or similar event can be placed no more than five days prior to the event and must be removed within three days of the conclusion of the event. They must be placed on the property where the open house, garage sale or similar event is being held. The opening paragraph of § 300-52.3 adds that permit-free signs must still conform to the height, setback and size requirements detailed in the sign chapter, and subsection W(1) prints no separate size cap.

The placement rule closes off the usual shortcuts. Under § 300-52.2(A), signs cannot be located on a public right-of-way or public property. Under § 300-52.5(N), any sign placed on a curb, sidewalk, hydrant, utility pole, trees or other objects located on or over any street is prohibited unless otherwise permitted, and § 300-52.2(F) says signs shall not be placed on fences. A directional arrow on a street corner or utility pole therefore has no support in the code.

Subsection W(2) gives churches and other not-for-profit organizations a longer window for event signs: no more than 15 days prior to the event, removal within three days of the conclusion, on the property where the event is held or on a commercially zoned property. That longer window belongs to those organizations, not to residents holding a yard sale.