Garage & Yard Sales in Iowa (2026)
7 rules on the books across Iowa, 7 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Frequency, Duration & Permits
How many garage sales you may hold per year, how long each may run, and whether your city requires a permit or registration before you post the first sign.
Ames
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Ames, Iowa, Sec. 29.1304(5) treats a rummage or garage sale, meaning a sale of household goods held…
Read full rule →Cedar Rapids
Some RestrictionsCedar Rapids limits Garage, Yard, or Estate Sales to six per parcel per year under Table 32.03-6 of the Zoning…
Read full rule →Dubuque
Some RestrictionsDubuque zoning treats a garage sale as a residential accessory use, capped at three sales per premises per calendar…
Read full rule →West Des Moines
Some RestrictionsIn the City of West Des Moines, a garage sale is treated as a zoning-exempt temporary use only if it lasts no more than…
Read full rule →Sioux City
Light RestrictionsSioux City exempts homeowners from the transient merchant license for garage, basement, or yard sales, but only twice…
Read full rule →Waterloo
Light RestrictionsA garage, yard or moving sale on a home's own property in the City of Waterloo, Iowa is exempt from secondhand dealer…
Read full rule →Des Moines
Few RestrictionsDes Moines does not require a permit for a garage, tag or estate sale, as long as it runs no more than four consecutive…
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