Do You Need Need A Permit To Have A Yard Sale In Bismarck?

Last spring, I hosted my first yard sale ever. It was fun labeling things with price tags, laying everything out on tables, and watching people look for a hidden treasure. While it was fun, it was also a lot of work. You have to go through your things, set up tables, organize them in a way that makes sense, and, my least favorite part, do math and give people change.

If you're planning to host a yard sale this year, you might be wondering whether you need a permit. According to LiveAbout.com, different cities and townships have different laws on the matter. What is the rule on this? I spoke to Bismarck's former Mayor, Steve Bakken; he told me you don't need a permit to hold a yard sale in your yard. You do, however, need a yard. That was a joke.

Posting Signs

According to the City of Bismarck, posting signs on public property is prohibited. You may not post any sign, handbill, poster, or placard on public boulevards. This means you can't hang a sign on light poles, fire hydrants, stop signs, or traffic signals.

According to the city, if you do this, it's considered a class B misdemeanor and can result in a $1,000 fine. I would like to point out that this is more than you would get fined for driving without a seatbelt. WOW.

If you've driven around Bismarck, you will notice that no one is following this rule. We are rebels, posting signs everywhere. If you ask me, seeing a rummage sale sign at an intersection and making a spontaneous stop is all part of the experience.

In any case, have fun with a little spring/summer cleaning and enjoy your rummage-sale season!