TAVARES, Fla. – Proposed changes to Tavares’ garage sale ordinance that would require residents to obtain permits and could impose fines on those who violate the new rules, went back before the city council on Wednesday.
Under the proposed ordinance, residents would need to submit a free permit application before hosting a garage sale. The permit would be valid for up to three days.
Not only would people be fined for not submitting a permit; but they could also get fined for having more than four garage sales in the calendar year.
The city plans to implement a graduated system of penalties for violations. First-time offenders would receive a warning, while a second violation would result in a $150 fine. Subsequent violations would incur a $250 fine.
“Well, if they have to register for it, then the city is well aware of what they want to do. If they want to register for 20 of them, then maybe there’s a restriction that should be applied,” said Lake County resident Bob Guy.
City officials explained that fines would only be issued after a code enforcement officer visits the garage sale, speaks with the property owners in person, and verifies whether a permit application was submitted.
“I don’t see a problem with putting some restriction on it at all,” Guy said. “I mean, yeah, I don’t see a problem with it if it’s managed properly like anything else.”
However, not all residents support the new restrictions. Local resident Tyrone Neal, who frequently hosts yard sales, expressed concerns about the impact on his business when interviewed in July when we first spoke to him about the proposed ordinance changes.
“Everything is cheap here. They call me ‘Mister Everything Cheap.’ And I like to keep it that way,” Neal said. “Why interfere with somebody’s livelihood? I’m not harming anybody. I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m just having a good old yard sale and recycling trash and turning it into cash. All I’m doing.”
The ordinance is currently at its first reading before the city council. If approved, a second reading is likely to be scheduled for the next city council meeting.