Garage Sales

A permit is required to hold garage, yard, or estate sales within city limits. This applies to both residents and non-profit organizations. 

You may sell up to five items or less on your property without a Garage Sale Permit.

Requirements

  • You must obtain a permit before the start of the sale.
  • Each residence is allowed four garage sales per calendar year per location.
    • One garage sale per quarter.
  • Permit Fee: $16 (non-refundable)
    • The fourth garage sale held by the same applicant at the same residence during a calendar year is free.
      • Save your first three Garage Sale Permit receipts to obtain your fourth free permit.
      • The free permit can be obtained through the Development Services Department only.
  • You must provide a copy of the contract for estate sales.

NOTE: A community garage sale applies to an apartment complex or HOA group. This type of garage sale must be held in a common area.

Non-Profit Organizations

  • A church, charitable, or non-profit organization may hold a maximum of 12 garage sales per year.
    • One garage sale per month.
  • You must provide an authorized agent letter. 
  • Permit fee is the same for residents and organizations.

Apply for a Permit

Online

To purchase online:

  1. You do not need to log in. To begin, accept the General Disclaimer to view the online application.
  2. Use the Address Search to fill out the Property Information.
    1. If your address cannot be found, use the One Stop Zoning Map to find the Parcel Key that corresponds to the address of your garage sale.
    2. Return to the application and use that number in the Parcel Search to fill out the Property Information.
  3. Complete the remaining questions about your garage sale.
  4. Upload the Estate Sale Contract (if applicable).
  5. Payment can be made by credit card, echeck, or escrow account.

Buy Permit Online 

Garage sale permit and receipt are sent to the email provided in the application.

In Person

To purchase a permit in person, please visit our offices during operating hours.

Address:
Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center (One Stop)
1901 S. Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78204
Directions

Information about visiting our office.

For faster service, please place yourself in line before entering the building.

Hours:
Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

NOTE: You may also purchase a permit at participating H-E-B grocery stores.

Holding Your Garage Sale

  • Have your sale between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Post the permit in plain view at the location of the garage sale when the event is taking place.

Please review and follow all of the rules outlined below:

Garage Sale Signs

You are allowed three signs to advertise your garage sale:

  • All signs cannot be larger than 6 square feet.
  • One sign can be placed at the location of the garage sale.
  • Two signs can be placed off premise:
    • You must place the two sign decals included with this permit on the signs located off premise.
    • Garage sale signs posted without the decals in a public right-of-way are not allowed. They may be removed and discarded without notice.
    • Signs posted on City right-of-way objects are strictly prohibited and are considered a misdemeanor offense. This includes utility poles, street signs, traffic signs, street light standards, etc.
  • Garage sale signs can be posted two days before the date of the garage sale.
  • All signs must be removed upon expiration of the garage sale permit.

Prohibited Items & Actions

  • Do not exhibit or display items on the public right-of-way.
  • Do not sell food items unless you obtain a food sales permit from the City Health Department.
  • These items are prohibited from selling to the public:
    • aerosol paints
    • ammunition
    • glue
    • guns
    • live animals

Rainchecks & Reschedules

NOTE: Garage Sale Permit fees are non-refundable.

If your garage sale cannot proceed due to inclement weather, you may request a replacement permit (raincheck):

  • The raincheck must be requested within one week from the initial permit date.
  • The rescheduled garage sale must be held within 30 days.
  • One raincheck allowed per location per calendar year.

Rainchecks and reschedules are not available online. Please call 210-207-1111.

If the permit was purchased at an H-E-B grocery store, you must provide the original receipt in person.

Get in Line

Check-in to Development Services using our website, by text message, or by downloading the Qless mobile application.

Contact

Email

Contact Form

Phone

210-207-1111

Address

Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center (One Stop)
1901 S. Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78204
Directions

Information about visiting our office.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 

 

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