Yard Sales: Do You Need a Permit?

If you’re going to have a yard sale, you better check to see if you need a permit.

Cookeville’s Director of Codes Jeff Littrell said the city charges a $2 dollar fee for permits.

“That’s just to make sure someone’s not trying to run a business out of their home,” Littrell said. “We’ve had that happen with people having continual yard sales and disrupting neighborhoods, so that’s why we have the yard sale permit.”

In Algood, the city does not charge a fee for permits. City Administrator Keith Morrison said yard sales are not really on the city’s radar, but said he would encourage citizens to practice social distancing if they want to have a yard sale.

“We used to charge for a permit, but it wasn’t really worth the paperwork,” Morrison said. “If it ever becomes a problem in the future, that’s something the council can revisit.”

Since the city hall has been closed, Littrell said enforcing yard sale permits have been relaxed. If a sale disrupts a neighborhood, however, a misdemeanor citation can be issued with up to a $50 dollar fine.

“I’m sure there are people out having yard sales,” Littrell said. “I’ve not driven around checking on them and our codes guy hasn’t.”

Littrell said with city hall opening back up, permits will be necessary for sales. In Cookeville, yard sales are limited between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. for no more than 3 consecutive days.

“The Cookeville Municipal Building is going to open on May 19,” Littrell said. “We’ll start issuing yard sale permits then.”

Yard sale permits in Cookeville are available through the city’s Codes Department.