Garage/Yard Sales

The City of Ephrata permits garage/yard sales. Garage/yard sales are allowed without permits or fees on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays.  There are also a few rules about using signs to promote your sale. 

The Ephrata Municipal Code’s definition for “Litter” includes posters, flyers, box signs, and any other material that is used to advertise an event such as estate sales, yard sales, parties and/or any other event held on residential property.  (EMC 6.12)

Here is a handy flyer with the Do's and Don'ts for holding a garage/yard sale in town: Garage/Yard Sale Flyer.

Associated Ephrata Municipal Codes
EMC 5.03.040 Exemptions. (b) A person making casual or isolated sales of goods or merchandise not in the course of a business at a flea market, rummage sale, yard sale, garage sale, farmer’s market, bazaar or like sale when such sales, markets or bazaars are conducted on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or any City recognized holiday and provided also, that such flea markets, bazaars or the like shall be licensed by the City of Ephrata for operation at the particular location indicated on that license.

EMC 6.12.030  Definitions. (4) "Litter" means all solid wastes including but not limited to containers, packages, wrapping, printed matter or other material thrown or deposited as herein prohibited, but not including the wastes of the primary processes of mining, logging, saw milling, farming or manufacturing.

EMC 6.12.040  Litter in general. No person shall throw, drop, deposit, discard or otherwise dispose of litter upon any street, alley, sidewalk or any other public place in the city, or upon a private residence or other private property not owned by him, or in any waters within the jurisdiction of the city whether from a vehicle…

EMC 6.12.230  Penalties. Every person convicted of a violation of this chapter for which no penalty is specifically provided within the specific section violated shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars for each such violation. Each day that such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.

Public Holidays:
New Year's Day – January 1st
MLK, Jr. Day – 3rd Monday in January
Presidents' Day – 3rd Monday in February
Memorial Day – Last Monday in May
Independence Day – July 4th  
Labor Day – 1st Monday in September
Columbus Day – 2nd Monday in October
Veterans Day – November 11th  
Thanksgiving Day – 4th Thursday in November
Christmas Day – December 25th