Do You Need A Permit to Legally Hold A Garage Sale In Rochester?

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Did you read the headline and imagine police being called to a quiet neighborhood because Joe and Elayna down the street are selling their old furniture on their lawn, old clothes in their garage, and old toys on the drive-way?

Because I did...and I wrote the headline! But it's a legit question, asked by a listener just a couple days ago. I went to the head cheese of permits and got the answer. In case you didn't know, that's Christiaan Cartwright, License Examiner in the Rochester City Clerk's office. And the answer?

"To your question James, no permits are needed for garage sales."

That covers yard sales, rummage sales, driveway sales, or whatever name you're giving the traditional garage sale event. You don't need to call anyone, you don't need to alert Mayo Kim Norton, nuttin'. Just have your garage sale.

Disappointed? Well, there are plenty of other permits you DO need, for a whole host of things...below is a partial list from Rochester's A-Z listing here.

Partial List of Permits Required in Rochester, Minnesota

• Banners
• Breeding Permits
• Chickens
• Circus
• Dance (Annual)
• Dance (Single)
• Duck
• Escort Services

• Firework Sales
• Fireworks Displays
• Food Vending vehicle
  • Mobile Food Unit (aka Food Truck)
  • Vending Cart
  • Ice Cream Vending Vehicle
• Golf Carts
• Massage Therapists (individuals)
• Massage Therapy (business)
• Outdoor Dog Permits
• Parades, Street Use and Miscellaneous Activities
• Pawn Brokers
• Peddlers
• Peddler- Charitable and Religious Organizations

• Pigeon
• Private Adult Dancer

I'm curious how many duck, pigeon, and private adult dancer permit requests are filed here in Rochester, Minnesota.

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com

Listen to James Rabe and Jessica Williams 6a to 10a on Y-105 FM's Early Morning Show.