NORWICH – The City of Norwich is taking measures to stop long-term garage sales and yard sales throughout the city and provide stricter rules for residents looking to make a little extra cash from their clutter.
The Norwich Public Safety and Public Works Committee this month discussed the issue of garage and yard sales, and what can be done to prevent residents from turning their front lawn into an all-summer-long exchange. According to city officials, the problem is growing and it’s drawing attention.
“There are about eight to ten garage sales throughout the city that are going on all summer. A lot of changes are being driven by the public, by folks who are tired of their neighbors having these perpetual yard sales because they can cause traffic problems and be a bit of an eyesore,” said Jason Lawrence, Codes Enforcement Officer for the City of Norwich. “When people have a tent pitched all summer, it becomes an issue.”
While there are current laws on the books that regulate garage and yard sales in the city, Lawrence said changes are in the works to tighten existing laws. Proposed changes include limiting sales from the current 10-day per year limit to a six-day per year limit. Residents would also not be allowed to have a sale lasting more than three consecutive days.
“The idea is that this would allow for two three-day garage sales, so people could still have one in the spring and one in the fall if they want, or two during summer,” he added.
Lawrence also noted a provision of the city’s current yard sale law which states that the sale of items purchased elsewhere solely for the purpose of resale is prohibited.
“What we’re finding is that some people are going to auctions and to other events, buying things, and bringing them back to have them in a garage sale. Really, they’re violating that law,” said Lawrence.
In addition to establishing stricter limits to the duration of a yard or garage sale, changes will also outline a time frame during which residents who promote their sale through the use of signs will need to remove their signs. No such law currently exists.
Said Lawrence, “What we want to do is give people 24 hours to take down their garage sale signs after their garage sale. This should reduce the number of signs that stay up throughout the year.”
Despite pending changes to the city’s garage sale laws, changes are not as rigorous as laws set by the state. According to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, sales that last more than three days are subject to tax.
That’s not the case for the city, said Lawrence. “We aren’t looking to collect taxes from anyone. We’re just trying to stop those month-long or two-month-long sales.”
Changes to the city’s yard sale and garage sale law will likely go before the Public Safety and Public Works Committees as early as Oct. 7. From there, a public hearing will be scheduled before the law is voted on by the Common Council.
“We’re trying to push these changes through before the end of the year,” Lawrence added, citing penalties for noncompliance. “There will be changes definitely by next summer.”