Follow Garage and Yard Sale Rules or Risk Citations, Joliet Officials Urge

JOLIET, IL - Joliet-area residents wanting to host an impromptu garage sale should think twice, local officials reiterated this week.

That's because the city of Joliet regulates selling personal property via garage, porch, basement and yard sales. Officials issued a news alert on Tuesday reminding residents of existing limitations — such as the hours a resident is allowed to market his or her items.

Regulations indicate that:

• No person shall hold a personal property sale within a residential zoning district without first obtaining a permit from the City (secure permit from Customer Service at City Hall).
• No more than two personal property sale events are allowed at any one address during any calendar year.
• A personal property sale shall not exceed four days in duration.
• Personal property sales shall be conducted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• Personal property sales shall be conducted in a manner which ensures public safety and shall in no way impede or interfere with any right of way, including but not limited to streets or sidewalks.
• Advertisements regarding personal property sales shall not be affixed to utility poles, nor be placed in parkways or other public right of ways.

"Personal property sales shall be limited to the sale of used personal property and household items," the alert continued. "It shall be a violation of this section to conduct a sale which consists of new merchandise and/or resale items."

Nonprofit organizations, neighborhood associations, condominium boards, or other charitable or civic groups can conduct personal property sales, including those at one or more residences, as long as they abide by the aforementioned terms.

"A police officer or any other official designated to make inspections shall have the right of entry to any premises showing evidence of a personal property sale for the purpose of enforcement or inspection and may close the premises from such a sale or cite any person who violates the provisions of the city’s ordinance." officials said.

Those wanting to report a violation can do so through the city of Joliet website or the gorequest app.