Free Garage Sale Day-Of Compliance Checklist (Printable)

📅 Before Sale Day — Permit & Preparation

Check if your city requires a permit. Use the Permit Wizardyardsalepermit.pages.dev/tools/permit-wizard.html or call your city clerk.

Applied for permit (if required). Permit is in hand — digital or printed.

Confirmed this sale is within your annual limit. (Dallas: 2/yr. OKC: 2/yr. WeHo: 4/yr. Check your city.)

Checked HOA rules. HOA may restrict frequency, hours, signs, or merchandise — independently of city rules.

Advertised the sale. Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, GarageSaleFinder.com, Craigslist. Include address, dates, and photo.

Made signs for private property only. No utility poles, street signs, right-of-way strips. Have permission for off-property signs.

If permit number required on signs (Douglas County GA, LA CA): written permit number on every sign.

☀️ Morning of Sale — Setup

Not starting before permitted hours. OKC: 8am. San Antonio: 9am. Most cities: no restriction, but HOA may set hours.

Permit displayed visibly at sale location. On the table, taped to the garage door, or in a binder where it can be shown to code officers.

Signs posted on private property only. Double-check that no signs slipped into the right-of-way strip.

Merchandise on your property, not in the public street or sidewalk. Tables, racks, and items must be on your property — not blocking pedestrian access.

Change fund ready. Recommended: $100 in small bills ($1s, $5s, $10s) and coins. Banks and most stores can break larger bills in advance.

Pricing labels on key items. Labeled items sell faster and reduce negotiation friction. Large unlabeled items invite low-ball offers.

Payment method ready. Cash preferred. If accepting Venmo/CashApp/PayPal, have your username visible. Cell service confirmed for digital payments.

🛍️ During the Sale

Not selling past permitted hours. OKC: must end by 6pm. San Antonio: 6pm. Fort Worth: check permit. Most cities: no restriction.

Permit accessible and ready to show. If a code officer or neighbor asks, you can show the permit immediately.

Keeping pedestrian walkways clear. Sidewalks and public walking paths must remain unobstructed throughout the sale.

Not blocking driveway access or fire hydrants. Neither yours nor neighbors'. This is a separate code issue from garage sale permits.

(Chicago only) Tracking sold items. Chicago ordinance requires a sold-items list retained for 72 hours post-sale.

🏁 End of Sale — Cleanup & Post-Sale

All signs removed from every location. Every sign you posted — including at neighbors' properties. Seattle requires removal within 24 hours.

Online listings marked as ended. Update or remove your Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Nextdoor listings so people don't show up the next day.

Unsold items donated, stored, or disposed of. Don't leave items on the curb without checking your city's bulk waste rules.

Property cleaned up — no residual mess or items. Tables, racks, and boxes back inside. Your yard back to its normal appearance.

Annual sale count updated. Note today's date. Track your remaining permitted sales for the rest of the calendar year.

💡 How to use this checklist: Print it using the button above (or Ctrl+P / Cmd+P) and tape it to your main folding table. Check off items throughout the morning. The "End of Sale" section is the most commonly forgotten — signs left on poles after the sale is the #1 code enforcement trigger even when the sale itself was fully permitted.

Quick Permit Fee Reference

City	Permit Required?	Fee	Apply
Dallas TX	Yes	Free	How to apply →
Oklahoma City OK	Yes	Free	How to apply →
West Hollywood CA	Yes	Free ($150 fine if skipped)	How to apply →
Douglas County GA	Yes	Free	How to apply →
Garland TX	Yes	Free	How to apply →
Los Angeles CA	Yes	~$23	How to apply →
San Antonio TX	Yes	~$16	How to apply →
Houston TX	No	Free	See rules →
Austin TX	No	Free	See rules →
Chicago IL	No	Free	See rules →

📋 Garage Sale Day-Of Compliance Checklist

YardSalePermit.com — Day-Of Garage Sale Compliance Checklist

📅 Before Sale Day — Permit & Preparation

☀️ Morning of Sale — Setup

🛍️ During the Sale

🏁 End of Sale — Cleanup & Post-Sale

Quick Permit Fee Reference