Royston CC Approves Draft of New Yard Sale Ordinance

Royston’s City Council is moving forward with a new ordinance that would impose new rules citizens wanting to hold yard sales.

The town leaders have been concerned about the number of yard sales that appear to be more like businesses.

Last month, city councilman Larry Bowen brought the issue before the mayor and council after complaints from citizens about one ongoing sale.

 “I’ve had four citizens approach me in the last month and one was a business owner who said one particular person was running a business and not a yard sale, Bowen said.”

At their regular meeting Tuesday evening, Royston Police Chief Donnie Boleman presented the council with a draft ordinance.

“Our attorney provided us with several copies from other municipalities that she felt would fit our needs,” he said. “Out of that we have selected on ordinance to use as a guideline for our ordinance that comes from a neighboring city.”

Among the changes in the new ordinance, citizens will be allowed up to six yard sales a year. No sales will be allowed in public places such as a parking lot or empty lot.

Citizens must also obtain a permit from the city to hold a yard sale.

“These permits will be obtained from the Marshall’s office,” he said. “He will be able to issue permits up to 24 hours in advance. I just ask that we go ahead and approve this draft so we can turn it over to our attorneys and get it passed so we can go ahead and enforce this.”

Mayor David Jordan asked if the new ordinance would cover people who put items, such as a car or lawn mower on their front yard  with a “for sale” sign on it.

Boleman said it would not. He said that falls under a Georgia law called, “curbing” and is allowed.   After hearing from Boleman the board voted to turn the draft ordinance over to the city attorney for review.  The ordinance will need two public readings before it becomes law.