Hudson Valley Town Cracking Down on Garage Sales

One Hudson Valley community is proposing legislation that will make it harder to sell your old stuff in your driveway.

Garage sales are a staple in the Hudson Valley. On any given weekend you'll find signs advertising yard sales, garage sales, tag sales and estate sales. Many residents comb through Craig's List and other online resources to seek out deals and treasures from their neighbors.

According to the Daily Freeman, this may be harder to do in Rhinebeck if new legislation is passed. A hearing is scheduled for October 13 over a new ordinance that would limit the amount of yearly sales and require residents to receive a permit or face steep fines.

Mayor Heath Tortarella told the Freeman that the reason for the proposed law is not to penalize residents cleaning out their old junk, but rather those who have turned the yard sale into a weekly business. Many tourists flock to Rhinebeck, especially in the fall. The mayor says that some people living in Rhinebeck take advantage of the heavy traffic and set up yard sales each weekend, creating a nuisance for their neighbors.

Under the proposed law, property owners will need to obtain permits from the village code enforcement officer before holding a sale. There is no indication if these permits will require a fee. Only four permits will be allowed each year. Those who do not have a permit for their sale will face fines of $25 to $250.

What do you think. Should garage sales be limited or is that too much of an infringement?