- March 14, 2025
In an effort to decrease traffic in neighborhoods and track the number of garage sales, city officials on Tuesday discussed implementing a $5 permit for residents.
The topic was initially broached last month, when City Councilman Jason DeLorenzo said he had received several phone calls from residents complaining about the excessive number of garage sales their neighbors were having.
Under current city code, residents are restricted to two garage sales per calendar year, which must be on an improved residential lot. The garage sale must take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and can take place on two consecutive days.
Additionally, residents are allowed to have one 4-square-foot sign on their property advertising the garage sale, but it can’t be located in the city right of way.
According to city code enforcement, more than 500 garage sales signs are picked up per month.
Nestor Abreu, community development director for the city, said most neighboring cities, such as Port Orange, DeLand and Daytona Beach, have a permit and tracking system in place.
Under the new system, residents who want to have a garage sale can register online, over the phone or at city offices. Then, then $5 can be paid up front or can be applied to the utility bill.
The $5 would offset administrative costs, officials said.
The system would help code enforcement officers track the number of garage sales residents are having. Also, once the $5 permit fee is paid, the resident could get a city-issued garage sale sign for their yard, which would let code enforcement officers know they are properly registered and haven’t reached the limit of sales.
Also, on the city's website, there would be a list of other garage sales taking place and a description of items that are being offered at particular sales.
DeLorenzo, as well as City Councilman Bill Lewis and Mayor Jon Netts, seemed in support of the $5.
City Councilman Bill McGuire said he wasn’t positive he would want to implement the fee. The bigger issue, McGuire said, is traffic.
McGuire said the permit fee wouldn’t necessarily address traffic issues in the neighborhoods.
City Councilman Frank Meeker wasn’t in favor of the fee. He said the garage sales can be tracked without having the fee.
“For a minimal fee like that, I think it’s a great service to the city,” Meeker said. “Those who want to have three or four, we can catch them through code enforcement anyway.”
Other City Councilmen weren’t so sure, though.
Lewis, who worked code enforcement in Daytona, said city staff is “on the right track” with Tuesday’s presentation.
“It’s a small amount of money, but it gives it legitimacy,” he said.
The City Council will formally vote on amending the fee schedule to implement the $5 fee at its next regular meeting, which will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at the Community Center.
