What happens if you have a yard sale with no license?

Question

ive had yard sales before with my parents and they had a license but there was no one that came by and checked. if we just so happened to get caught with out a license, would there be a fine? how much?

Answer 1

ive never heard that u needed a license..i've heard that most cities dont like ppl advertising and putting up signs and not removing them afterwards, but thats it for where i live

Answer 2

There is no state that requires a license to hold a yard sale.  Some cities and counties do require a license or permit, for which they might charge a small fee, usually $5 or $10.

But notice that I said there is no state law requiring a license for *A* yard sale.  If you have lots of them, you are considered a dealer.  In that case you need a license, because you are required to collect sales tax and send it in to the state.  And of course there are potential issues about zoning.  If they say the yard sales are a "business" that is being run from your home, that might not be allowed in your particular neighborhood.

I can't give you specific advice without knowing where you live and how often you are holding yard sales. In general, however, I would not worry too much about a one-time yard sale.  If your town requires a permit, you should probably get one, but if you fail to do so, the fine (if any) would be very small.  

But if you are doing this every weekend, or even every month, you may have both tax and zoning problems, and those are not risks that you would want to run.

I hope this is helpful.

Answer 3

Depending on where you live, they might issue a small fine - and probably tell you to cease and desist.

Most places don't really care - unless you are causing dangerous or inconvenient traffic problems due to a lack of parking space along a busy road, etc.

Personally, if I decided to have a yard sale, and some 'official' asked me for my license, they better have a cop with them, or they are going to be leaving with my size 12 boot in their backside.