Quick Answer
To run a garage sale in London, Ontario, check the City's current by-laws (I could not confirm a specific garage sale permit rule, so call the City or check london.ca), hold it on a Saturday in May, June or September starting around 8 a.m., advertise on Kijiji, Facebook and garage sale map sites, price items at 10 to 25 percent of what you paid, and have change ready. Keep signs on private property and take them down afterwards. Donate leftovers to the Habitat ReStore at 5-40 Pacific Court or a thrift shop.
A garage sale in London can be a very good Saturday. Neighbourhoods like Old South, Wortley Village and the older parts of the north have the right kind of foot traffic: people who walk, people who browse and people who like a bargain. And London has a built-in advantage: every spring and fall, thousands of students and new arrivals are furnishing a place and looking for exactly what you have in your basement.
It can also be a big waste of a weekend if you do it badly. This guide covers the rules, the timing, how to advertise, how to price, how to set up and what to do with what is left.
The Rules: Check Before You Advertise
Rules about garage sales vary between Ontario municipalities. In some cities, no permit is required, but there are limits on how many days and how many sales you can hold per year, and rules on signs. I searched for London's specific rules and could not confirm them, and what I found was mostly about the City's general sign by-law. So do not assume. Before you advertise, contact the City of London's by-law enforcement or check london.ca for current rules on garage sales and temporary signs, and check any condo or neighbourhood association rules that apply to you.
In practice: hold your sale on your own driveway or lawn, keep it to one weekend, do not spread tables onto the sidewalk or boulevard, put signs on private property only with the owner's permission, and take every sign down when you finish.
When to Hold Your Sale
| Month | Traffic | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| May | Very high | Spring cleaning season; student move-out |
| June | High | Good weather; families clearing out |
| July to August | Moderate | Vacations thin the crowd; late August has student move-in |
| September | High | Back-to-routine energy; pre-winter clear-outs |
| October | Moderate | Cooler, but fine for tools and winter gear |
| November to April | Low | Weather prevents foot traffic; use online listings |
Saturday is the best day by far. Start at 8 a.m., because serious buyers arrive early. Set up the night before if you can. Sunday works as a second day, but traffic is lower. If you are near Western or Fanshawe, the last week of April and the end of August are especially good, since students are looking for cheap furniture, kitchenware and bikes.
How to Advertise
- Kijiji and Facebook: post your sale with the dates, times, intersection and a list of what you are selling, using specific words such as "furniture, children's clothing, tools, kitchenware".
- Garage sale map sites: free sites list London sales and attract regular hunters.
- Neighbourhood groups: post in community Facebook groups and on local boards.
- Signs: put clear, large signs at turns leading to your street, on private property only, and take them down the same day.
Add a photo of your best items. A good dresser or a set of tools in the picture brings people who are looking for exactly that.
Pricing: Price to Sell
People at garage sales are looking for a bargain. Price items low, at 10 to 25 percent of what you paid, and expect to negotiate. Clothing at a dollar or two, books at a dollar, kitchen items at a few dollars, tools at about half of what similar ones sell for online. Put stickers on everything, because unpriced items make people hesitant. If something is worth more than about $100, consider selling it online instead. For the method, read how to price used items for a fast sale, and for what sells, see our Kingston garage sale guide and our Ottawa garage sale guide.
Set Up for Success
- Tables for everything: items on tables sell far better than items on the ground.
- Group by category: clothing, kitchen, books, tools and toys.
- Have change ready: start with about $100 in small bills and coins.
- Put your best items near the street: they draw people in.
- Have an extension cord: buyers want to test electronics.
- Keep a clear path: a crowded driveway puts people off.
What Sells Best at London Garage Sales
Garage sale buyers like practical, inexpensive goods. Children's clothing, toys, books, kitchenware, tools, garden items, small furniture, bikes and decor all sell well. For students, cheap furniture, lamps, bedding and kitchen basics go quickly. Large furniture and appliances can sell too, but they are easier to sell online first. Electronics sell if they work, so test them at the table. Items that rarely sell: broken things, stained clothing, old textbooks and anything outdated. Our guides to selling furniture in London and selling kitchen items give more ideas.
Safety and Money Handling
A garage sale puts strangers in your driveway, so keep your house locked and valuables inside. Have someone with you, keep cash on you rather than in a box and watch for people who distract you while someone else takes things. Do not let anyone into your home to use the bathroom. If a buyer wants a large item, accept cash, and do not take cheques.
Whatever you sell, the same few scams show up: the buyer who offers more than your asking price, the "courier" who will collect the item for them, the fake e-transfer screenshot and the person who needs a verification code sent to your phone. None of them are real buyers. Take payment you can see in your own banking app, never send a deposit to a stranger and bookmark the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which lists the scams going around right now. Our guide to avoiding scams when selling locally explains each one.
What to Do With Unsold Items
Plan your exit before you start. At the end of your last day, drop prices sharply, or post "everything on the table $1" for the last two hours. List the best remaining items online. Or donate what is left: the Habitat ReStore at 5-40 Pacific Court takes furniture and building supplies, and Goodwill, Value Village and other charity shops take clothing and housewares. Phone first. For what nobody wants, see sell, donate or junk it. Do not box everything up and put it back in the basement. You decided you did not need it.
Condos, Apartments and Alternatives
Not everyone has a driveway. If you live in a condo or apartment, a garage sale may not be allowed, and the building may have its own rules. Alternatives work well: ask your building association about a community sale day, share a table with a friend who has a house or sell online. Listing items individually on Fliku, Kijiji and Facebook reaches a wider audience than a garage sale ever would, and for valuable items it usually pays more.
London garage sale checklist
- Check the City of London and your building or association rules
- Pick a Saturday in May, June or September and start at 8 a.m.
- Sort and price everything, with stickers on each item
- Post on Kijiji, Facebook and a garage sale map site, and put up signs on private property
- Prepare tables, change and an extension cord
- Keep your house locked and valuables inside
- Plan what happens to unsold items before you start
Neighbourhood Sales and Community Events
The easiest way to get foot traffic is to join other sellers. Many London neighbourhoods and community associations organise street or area sales on a set weekend, and buyers plan their morning around them. Ask in your neighbourhood Facebook group, check with your community association and watch for posts in late April and May. If your street does not have one, start one: ask neighbours to sell on the same weekend, share a single advertisement and put up a map. A coordinated sale draws far more buyers than a single table, and it makes the whole morning more fun.
Selling to Students: A Garage Sale Strategy
If you live near Western or Fanshawe, students are your best customers. Stock what they need: furniture, lamps, bedding, kitchenware, small appliances, bikes and desks. Price low and bundle items, such as "kitchen starter kit, $15". Open early in the last week of April and in late August, and put a sign and a post that mention "student furniture and kitchen stuff". Offer to hold items for a few hours while they find a ride, and be flexible on price for a bulk purchase. Many students arrive without a vehicle, so a "free local delivery" offer on a large item can close a sale.
Combining a Garage Sale With Online Listings
The smartest sellers do both. List your best items online a week before the sale, with a note that they will be available at the sale if they have not sold, and take them down when they do. This gives high-value items a chance to find the right buyer at the right price, and it brings serious people to your sale. For small items, a garage sale is quicker. For anything worth more than about $100, an online listing will usually earn more. And after the sale, list what is left online, or donate it.
Kids' Items at Garage Sales
Children's clothing, toys and books are some of the best sellers, but they come with rules. Health Canada prohibits selling some children's products, including baby walkers, drop-side cribs and inclined infant sleep products, and recalled items should not be sold or given away. Check the Government of Canada recalls and safety alerts site before you put out strollers, high chairs or other baby gear. Wash clothing and toys, and sort them by size and age. A table of kids' things, clearly labelled, brings parents from several streets away. See our baby gear guide for the legal rules.
Want to reach more buyers than a garage sale?
List items individually on Fliku before, during or after your sale. Free listings, no fees.
List on Fliku FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a garage sale in London, Ontario?
I could not confirm a specific garage sale permit rule for London, and what I found was about the City's general sign by-law. Contact the City of London's by-law enforcement or check london.ca for current rules on garage sales and temporary signs, and check any condo or association rules.
When is the best time to hold a garage sale in London?
May, June and September are the busiest months, and Saturday morning, starting around 8 a.m., is the best time. The last week of April and late August are especially good near Western and Fanshawe, when students want cheap furniture and kitchenware.
How should I price items at a garage sale?
Price low, at roughly 10 to 25 percent of what you paid, and put stickers on everything. Clothing at a dollar or two, books at a dollar and tools at about half of online prices are typical. List items worth more than about $100 online instead.
What should I do with unsold garage sale items?
Drop prices sharply in the last hours, list the best items online, and donate the rest to the Habitat ReStore at 5-40 Pacific Court, Goodwill or another charity shop after phoning to check what they take. Do not store unsold items again.
Can I hold a garage sale in a condo or apartment in London?
It may not be allowed, so check your building or association rules. Alternatives include a community sale day, sharing a table with a friend who has a house, or selling items online on Fliku, Kijiji or Facebook.
