Lacombe is cracking down on over-zealous garage sale capitalists.
A number of residents have complained to city hall that their neighbour’s garage sales have morphed into multi-day second-hand extravaganzas.
“These garage sales are taking place over a long period of time, and in some cases, are continuing,” says the town.
“As well, the yards where these sales take place are covered in a variety of goods, creating unsightly conditions.”
Council asked administration in April to review the issue and see how other communities are handling nuisance garage sales. Staff, with advice from the city’s lawyer, suggested regulations specifically aimed at the worst offenders.
“The city will regulate only those garage sales that create a nuisance rather than the entire garage sale segment,” says Mayor Steve Christie.
“It’s not the volume of garage sales taking place in the community, but the disruption of spreading items all over a property for prolonged periods, and the perpetual nature of a few garage that is causing problems.”
New regulations passed by council on Monday night, limit garage sales to two per year. Combined, garage sales cannot go beyond six days and must run between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Trying to get around the garage sale limits by joining forces with neighbours is not allowed. Garage sales are also limited to residential areas and the property must be kept tidy.
Those who break the rules could face a $100 fine on first offence, which goes to $200 and $500 on subsequent offences within the year.