Council Considers Limits, Fees on Yard Sale Signs

BLYTHEWOOD – During the segment of Monday night’s Town Council meeting allowing for members’ miscellaneous comments, Councilman Bob Massa said he thought it was time the Town considers a fee for yard and garage sales.

“One fee for individual garage sales and a higher fee for multi-family sales,” Massa said. “And limit them to two a year (per household.)”

Massa added, “Wilson Boulevard and Blythewood Road look like flea markets on Saturdays with all those signs posted for sales. I called the Richland County Sheriff’s office about it, but there’s nothing they can do because these (yard and garage) sales are not actually businesses (that are regulated.)”

Massa suggested that more than two sales in a year could require a business license, “and then we could shut them down for that. Besides being unattractive, the signs are distractions and create a traffic problem, and we may have somebody get hurt,” he said.

Town Attorney Jim Meggs chimed in, saying he has similar thoughts whenever he is in Blythewood on Saturdays and suggested the Town consider some kind of regulations on the signs.

Massa suggested requiring a fee for a yard or garage sale license, then requiring the license to be posted on the sign for the sale. But Meggs disagreed.

“I’m not sure that (more signage) is something you want to encourage,” Meggs said.

Mayor J. Michael Ross asked Meggs and new Town Administrator Gary Parker to look into limiting the number of signs that are popping up at the various fireworks stands in the town as well.

“They don’t look good,” Ross said.

During his comment time, Councilman Tom Utroska announced that the restrooms in the park are expected to be operational in time for the fireworks festivities in the park on July 5.

Comments

  1. Jan Dimmery says

    Are you kidding me. Just like hot dogs, apple pie and fireworks going to yard sales is a tradition. Is that what we voted for you for, to limit yard sales and charge us fees on top of all the other fees and taxes we have to pay. I don’t think so. Also, what about all the political signs from your cronies and home builders. We know from over the years living here and talking to people that one of their favorite things to do early on Saturday morning is to go out and look for deals, socialize and meet new people. We have a yard sale every year and we put up signs and we take them down afterwards, as many people do. Individuals and churches selling their own merchandise on their own property should not be governed by the town. We voted for Mayor Ross and Mr. Massa in hopes that you would straighten out the previous mess and not create a new one. We hope that you have more important business to deal with than this issue. Sincerely, Mike and Jan Dimmery

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