Yard Sale Rules in the Manassas Area

It's yard sale season: That time of year when everything that doesn't fit in the house gets a sale sticker.

But it's not as easy as just tacking up a sale sign. There are rules for residents in Manassas and Prince William County.

Yard sales in Manassas don't need a permit, but there are several rules that need to be followed.

From the City of Manassas Zoning Ordinance:

• No more than two yard sales are held within a given calendar year by the same household at the same location and last no more than three consecutive days
• All signs shall be located upon stakes, not on a city structure or tree, and shall not exceed two square feet maximum aggregate area and shall be located only on the shoulder of the road adjacent to a sidewalk and not within the median strips
• Signs shall not be installed until the night prior to the event
• Signs shall be removed the last evening of the event
• No more than four temporary off-premise signs used to direct traffic to the site, and one temporary on-site sign shall be provided

Prince William County Police recently warned residents of the county's yard sale sign requirements:

If you are having a yard sale or garage sale please remember it is not legal to post yard sale signs, or the like in the grass medians and/or within 15 feet of a right of way. You are allowed to place a yard or garage sale sign that is no larger than 2 feet by 2 feet on your own private property or other private properties where you have received permission.

Contact Neighborhood Services at 703-792-7018 or nsd@pwcgov.org if you have any questions about sign placement.

Real Simple has 7 Tips for a Successful Garage Sale, including:

• "Have your kid ask a friend to chip in for the cause, both by putting her stuff up for sale, too, and volunteering to help the day of."
• "Just because you’re setting up shop in your front yard doesn’t mean it can’t have the vibe of a classy boutique."

See more.