§ 8-7-19. Garage sales.

A.

Definitions . For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:

1.

Directional Sign . Any sign offering directions to the sale premises and located other than on the sale premises.

2.

Permit Sign . The Permit Sign issued by the Village of Hoffman Estates designating the locating and dates of the sale.

3.

Garage Sale . The sale of goods, wares and merchandise commonly known as Garage Sales or yard sales conducted on an infrequent and unscheduled basis. The term "Garage Sale" includes all general sales to the open public, conducted from a residential premises, for the purpose of disposing personal property. Bulk sales, the sale of multiple new items of the same description and the sale of consigned merchandise, merchandise brought to the premises for resale or for reconditioning for resale are prohibited.

B.

Time Limitations . It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or allow the conducting of a Garage Sale as it is defined herein on premises zoned or used for residential purposes on any day except Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, or to conduct more than three (3) such Garage Sales on the same premises, by the same household, within any twelve (12) month period of January 1 through December 31. Each Garage Sale may be up to four (4) consecutive days. It is further provided that no Garage Sale, as defined herein, shall begin before 8:00 a.m. nor continue later than 6:00 p.m.

C.

Limitation on Display of Goods . A person who is conducting a Garage Sale as defined herein may place on display any goods, wares, merchandise under the provisions of this chapter up to the front property line. Such displays may not extend beyond the property line or into the public right-of-way.

D.

Permit Required . It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or allow the conducting of a Garage Sale as defined herein on premises zoned or used for residential purposes without first obtaining a Village permit to conduct such a sale. The request for a Garage Sale Permit shall be made in person, over the telephone or online to the Development Services Department. If a sale is conducted without a permit, the Development Services Department may issue an "on site" permit for the fee set in Section 8-2-1 of the Hoffman Estates Municipal Code at a cost of $10.00. A permit may be issued to a homeowner's association and all listed addresses in the permit application would be permitted to conduct a Garage Sale under one (1) permit. The Garage Sale permit shall be issued in the form of a Village issued Garage Sale Permit Sign which must then be prominently displayed on a window facing the front lawn or on the front lawn of the premise covered by the permit in such a manner as to be visible to persons passing by the premises. The Garage Sale Permit Sign shall be prominently displayed during all operating hours of the sale.

E.

House Sign Limitations . Only one (1) on-site Garage Sale sign shall be permitted on the front lawn of the property and not in the parkway or in public right-of-way, in addition to the Garage Sale Permit Sign. One (1) additional yard sign will be permitted in the side yard of those residences that are located on a corner lot. All other items which are intended to draw attention to the Garage Sale, including but not limited to banners, balloons, streamers, and the like are strictly prohibited.

F.

Directional Signs . Two (2) directional signs for any one (1) Garage Sale shall be allowed, subject to the following restrictions:

1.

Each sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in gross surface area per sign face.

2.

Each sign shall denote the address of the Garage Sale.

3.

Signs shall be elevated to height no greater than three (3) feet from the ground to the top of the sign.

4.

A sign shall not be placed in any manner to obstruct any line of vision for drivers of any vehicle.

5.

Garage Sale Directional signs to the same address may be posted only with the permission of the property owner.

6.

At no time shall signs advertising Garage Sales be erected on any public right-of-way, street sign, utility pole, or traffic control device.

G.

Sign Placement and Removal . All signs authorized under the provisions of this section shall not be placed before 6:00 a.m. on the first day of the Garage Sale and signs authorized under the provisions of the chapter are to be removed no later than two (2) hours after the conclusion of the sale, or by 8:00 p.m. at the latest.

(Ord. No. 4252-2011, § 2, 6-27-11; Ord. No. 4272-2011, § 2, 9-19-11; Ord. No. 4416-2014, § 1, 2-17-14)