What Can't Government Regulate?
South Greenburg, PA (South Greenburg? Was the town named after somebody I went to temple with?)...anyway, they're hoping to limit the number of yard sales residents can conduct.
Sorry, first of all, is this really epidemic? Are people causing huge neighborhood traffic jams? Are neighbors' weeping into their barbeques at the sale next door every weekend? I love garage sales (not that I have time to go to them on Saturdays, because I write all day), and I see very few of them as I'm driving to my writing cafe.
At reason, Ed Krayeswski quotes KTKA TV:
We decided, with the warmer weather coming up, we would sort of define what a garage sale was," Borough Council President Clentin Martin said.He has proposed an ordinance, which he says would prevent "people going to flea markets, buying junk that they collect in these flea markets bringing it home, then putting it into their garage, and then calling it a 'garage sale.'"
Ed continues:
Residents would be limited to two two-day garage sales a year, permits for which would cost $5.
A permit for an activity that takes place on your own property?
This is one of the ripple effects of big government up top; it filters down to the lowest levels if given enough time. Astounding.
Joe at April 12, 2012 4:03 PM
The event takes place on your own property, but the traffic, parking, and noise caused by it affect your neighbors.
Conan the Grammarian at April 12, 2012 4:06 PM
I have lived in my present home for 11 years, and that's been the local ordinance since before I moved here. Many of the cities in my suburban areas have same or similar laws, so while I am not enamored of the law, it's not really news.
And Conan is right: The neighborhood nuisance is unimaginable, especially if you have rear-facing garages and alleys for shoppers to park in (and keep residence from entering or leaving their homes).
gharkness at April 12, 2012 4:20 PM
I've actually seen that happen... a house I used to pass on my way to work had a "yard sale" that ran for over a year. I guess the city finally shut it down, but I never really found out.
Cousin Dave at April 12, 2012 5:39 PM
My husband's secretary holds a garage sale every week or two. I'm glad that she doesn't live in my neighborhood.
Jen at April 12, 2012 6:20 PM
what? Engaging in Commerce? How dare they. But then, that's the rub. At what point does selling a few trinkets from the attic become a going enterprise?
Is it better to say that you can sell anything you want, but you have to have a business license for taxation purposes?
Just like many things the people run out of their homes, IF it goes beyond a certain size, then it effects everyone around them, and THAT is what makes it the city's business.
For most people 2-2day sales is plenty per year to be considered a "garage sale" that needs no taxation... once you get beyond that, then it's better and easier to actually GO to the flea market and sell there, because it's a better audience anyway.
This doesn't seem so out of balance, ultimately.
SwissArmyD at April 12, 2012 9:52 PM
Oh, the shame!
residence = "residents."
"and keep residents from entering or leaving their homes"
gharkness at April 13, 2012 2:40 AM
And Conan is right: The neighborhood nuisance is unimaginable, especially if you have rear-facing garages and alleys for shoppers to park in (and keep residence from entering or leaving their homes).
Posted by: gharkness
Call a local impound lot and have them tow away the cars blocking your driveway, they probably wont charge you
lujlp at April 13, 2012 9:25 AM
I agree that if some enterprising neighbor were to do it every other week, yeah, I'd be annoyed. But there's also got to be a better way than to require a permit for an activity that'll net you probably $50 in the end. (I mean, a permit seems silly.
cornerdemon at April 13, 2012 10:52 AM
Don't forget: if you don't have to have a permit, how will they know who to harass about collecting sales tax?
Firehand at April 15, 2012 7:22 PM
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