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Garage & Yard Sales in New York (2026)

24 rules on the books across New York, 24 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.

Albany

Some Restrictions

Albany's zoning code limits each residence in a residential zoning district to six garage, porch, lawn, or estate sales…

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Babylon

Some Restrictions

Town of Babylon Code § 166-4 requires the sale permit be posted visibly from the street, confines sale items to the…

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Colonie

Some Restrictions

Town of Colonie Code § 190-50 limits garage sales to three per premises or per seller in any twelve-month period, each…

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Glen Cove

Some Restrictions

Glen Cove limits any one person to a single tag sale license every six months, and no license can cover more than two…

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Islip

Some Restrictions

In the Town of Islip, running a garage, yard, attic, rummage or flea market sale is illegal without a permit. Code §…

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New Rochelle

Some Restrictions

New Rochelle caps homeowners and homeowner associations at four garage sales per calendar year, with the first free and…

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North Hempstead

Some Restrictions

North Hempstead allows garage sales in residential zoning districts without a permit, but Town Code § 70-100.3A caps…

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Schenectady

Some Restrictions

Schenectady requires a $10 permit for every garage or yard sale. No more than three sales per premises or person each…

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Southampton

Some Restrictions

In the Town of Southampton outside the villages, a yard sale skips the special event permit only if it stays within…

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Southampton Village

Some Restrictions

A garage sale at a Village of Southampton residence is a customary accessory use, but only on fixed terms: used items…

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Syracuse

Some Restrictions

Syracuse lets a homeowner run a yard, garage or moving sale without a secondhand dealer license only if each sale lasts…

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Union

Some Restrictions

In the Town of Union outside the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City, Town of Union Code § 300-40.21 treats the sale…

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Westchester County

Some Restrictions

Westchester County exempts garage, yard, estate and moving sales from secondhand dealer licensing only if held on…

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Yonkers

Some Restrictions

Yonkers City Code § 43-41E limits residential garage and yard sales to no more than twice per calendar year per…

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Buffalo

Light Restrictions

A permit from the Commissioner of Public Works is required for any garage, porch, or yard sale beyond the third such…

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Cayuga County

Light Restrictions

Cayuga County doesn't license garage sales outright, but its secondhand dealer law only exempts a 'garage sale' from…

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Clay

Light Restrictions

The Town of Clay permits patio, backyard, garage and estate sales under Code Section 230-20F, added in 2017, but caps…

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Dutchess County

Light Restrictions

Dutchess County requires no permit for garage sales that run 72 hours or less and happen no more than three times in…

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Greece

Light Restrictions

The Town of Greece caps garage, yard, basement and porch sales at three per year on the same premises, with each sale…

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Putnam County

Light Restrictions

Putnam County does not require a permit for a garage, yard, or moving sale, but the county's secondhand dealer law only…

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Rochester

Light Restrictions

Rochester exempts garage, yard, porch and basement sales from its solicitor licensing law only if the same person holds…

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Suffolk County

Light Restrictions

Suffolk County lets homeowners hold garage, yard, or estate sales without a dealer's license, but only if each sale…

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Troy

Light Restrictions

In the City of Troy, New York, the zoning code defines a garage sale sign as a temporary sign for a sale of private…

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Monroe County

Few Restrictions

Garage, basement, porch and yard sales at your own home are exempt from Monroe County's secondhand-dealer license, so…

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