Signs are how people find your garage sale. But in virtually every city and county in the United States, you can't post them just anywhere. Getting the sign rules wrong is one of the most common ways to run into code enforcement issues — even when you have a valid permit. This guide covers the universal rules that apply everywhere and the specific rules that vary by state and city.
The One Rule That Applies Everywhere
No matter what state or city you're in, this is true: you cannot post garage sale signs on public property. This includes:
- Telephone and utility poles
- Traffic signs, stop signs, and any city-installed signage
- Trees on public property (the parkway, medians, public parks)
- Highway overpasses, bridges, and underpasses
- City benches, bus shelters, and transit equipment
- The right-of-way strip between the sidewalk and the street (this is city property)
This prohibition comes from a combination of sources: federal highway beautification laws, state anti-litter codes, and local sign ordinances. In most jurisdictions, code enforcement can remove signs on public property without warning and without having to notify you.
Where You Can Post Signs
The universal safe zone is private property with permission:
- Your own yard, driveway, or fence
- A neighbor's property with their explicit permission
- A friend's yard near a major intersection — with their permission
State-by-State Sign Rules
| State/City | Max Signs | Size Limit | Must Show Permit #? | Removal Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | No limit (private property only) | None specified | No | After sale ends |
| Fort Worth, TX | 1 sign only | ≤2 sq ft | No | After sale ends |
| Oklahoma City, OK | Private property only | None specified | No | By 6pm last day |
| West Hollywood, CA | Private property only | None specified | No | After sale ends |
| Douglas County, GA | Private property only | Standard poster size | Yes | After sale ends |
| Los Angeles, CA | Private property only | None specified | Yes | After sale ends |
| Baltimore, MD | 1 off-site sign (within 100ft) | None specified | No | After sale ends |
| Chicago, IL | No city restriction | No city restriction | No | No city rule |
| Seattle, WA | Private property only | None specified | No | Within 24hrs after |
| Houston, TX | No city restriction | No city restriction | No | No city rule |
The Right-of-Way Trap
This is where most people accidentally break the rules. The "right-of-way" is the strip of land between the edge of the sidewalk (or the property line) and the street. In most neighborhoods, this looks like part of your yard — it's often grass that you mow yourself. But it's legally owned by the city or county for the purpose of road maintenance and utility access.
Staking a sign in this strip — even if it's grass you maintain — is technically posting on public property. In cities with active code enforcement, this gets signs removed. In Fort Worth, where only one on-premises sign is allowed, this is particularly important to understand.
When Signs Must Come Down
Most cities require signs to be removed after your sale ends. Seattle specifically calls for removal within 24 hours. In practice, leaving signs up for days after your sale is a littering violation and will attract code complaints from neighbors. Take your signs down the evening of your last sale day — or the morning after at the latest.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — in virtually every US city and county, signs on telephone poles, utility poles, or any public property are prohibited. They will be removed by code enforcement.
The right-of-way is the strip of land between your property line and the street — often the grassy area between the sidewalk and curb. It's city property, even though you may maintain it. Signs in this area are considered on public property and can be removed.
Yes — Douglas County GA requires the permit number to be displayed on all garage sale signs. This is one of the more unusual local rules in the country and is actively enforced.
Most cities don't specify a size limit for garage sale signs, except Fort Worth TX (2 sq ft max — roughly 17x17 inches). Standard poster board sizes are generally fine in most areas.
Best practice is to remove them by end of day. Seattle requires 24-hour removal. Most cities don't specify, but leaving them up for days after a sale can trigger littering complaints.