Quick Answer
In Ottawa, occasional private garage sales generally do not need a permit, but check the City's current rules: the limits reported are two consecutive days and two sales per property per year, signs must stay on private property and be removed the same day, and selling on public property is not allowed. Advertise on Kijiji, Facebook and garage sale map sites, price items low, and have change ready. May, June and September are the best months, and Saturday morning is the best time.
Ottawa people love a garage sale. There is a particular energy to a Saturday morning in May, when the snow is finally gone and every second street has a table of mugs, books and toys on the lawn. If you have been meaning to clear out the basement and make some money, a garage sale is a good way to do it. It is also a lot of work for not very much money if you do it badly.
This guide explains the rules in Ottawa, when to hold your sale, how to price and advertise it, and what to do with everything that does not sell.
The Rules: What You Can and Cannot Do
As far as I could confirm, the City of Ottawa does not require a permit for occasional private garage sales at your own property. The limits reported are no more than two consecutive days, and no more than two garage or yard sales per property each calendar year. Signs should be placed on private property and removed the same day, and selling on public property such as sidewalks, boulevards, roads and parks is not allowed without a permit, and by-law officers can issue tickets. If you live in a condo or a townhouse community, your building or association may have its own rules. These details can change, so call 311 or check the City's website at ottawa.ca before you advertise.
In practice: hold your sale on your own driveway or lawn, keep it to one weekend, do not spread tables onto the sidewalk, and take every sign down when you finish.
The Great Glebe Garage Sale and Neighbourhood Sales
If you live in or near the Glebe, you already know that the neighbourhood holds a huge annual community sale in spring, organised by the Glebe Community Association, where hundreds of households sell on the same day. The Great Glebe Garage Sale FAQs explain how it works. Other Ottawa neighbourhoods hold their own community sales, and joining one is the easiest way to get foot traffic, because buyers plan their morning around them. If your street does not have one, you can organise one: ask neighbours to sell on the same weekend, share a single advert and put up a map.
When to Hold Your Sale
| Month | Traffic | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| May | Very high | Spring cleaning season; neighbourhood sales peak; student move-out |
| June | High | Good weather; families clearing out before summer |
| 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 still workable 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, to avoid people poking through your things while you are still unpacking. Sunday works as a second day, but traffic is lower.
How to Advertise
Most garage sales fail because nobody knows about them. A few minutes of effort makes a big difference.
- Kijiji and Facebook: post your sale with the dates, times, intersection and a list of what you are selling. Specific words attract buyers: "children's clothing, tools, furniture, kitchenware".
- Garage sale map sites: free sites list Ottawa 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, Not to Remember
People at garage sales are not looking for a fair price; they 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 half 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, where buyers will pay a fairer price. Our guide to pricing used items explains the method.
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, so buyers can find what they want.
- 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 Ottawa Garage Sales
Garage sale buyers like practical, inexpensive goods. Children's clothing, toys, books, kitchenware, tools, garden items, small furniture, sports gear and decor all sell well. Large furniture and appliances can sell too, but they are easier to sell online first. Electronics sell if they work, and a quick test at the table helps. Items that rarely sell: broken things, stained clothing, old textbooks and anything outdated. For ideas on specific categories, see selling used furniture in Ottawa and selling clothes in Ottawa.
Safety and Money Handling
A garage sale puts strangers in your driveway, so keep your house locked, and keep 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. For items you list online, use official meetup locations.
If you are meeting someone you do not know, use the Ottawa Police Safe Trade zones: parking spots at Ottawa Police stations at 466 Metcalfe Street (behind 474 Elgin), 211 Huntmar Drive in Kanata, 245 Greenbank Road in Nepean, 4561 Bank Street in Leitrim and 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard in Orléans. They are not monitored around the clock and the police do not take responsibility for the transaction, but they are a far better choice than a dark parking lot. Meet in daylight, bring a friend, and confirm any e-transfer in your own banking app before the item leaves. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre lists current scams, and our guide to avoiding scams explains the common ones.
Condos, Apartments and Alternatives
Not everyone has a driveway. If you live in a condo or apartment, a traditional garage sale may not be allowed, and the building may have its own rules. Alternatives work well: ask your building association about a community or lobby sale day, share a table with a friend who has a house, or sell online. A building-wide sale, with a notice in the lobby and on the building's group, can draw buyers who live nearby, and you can meet them in the common area rather than your door. Listing items individually on Fliku, Kijiji and Facebook gets you a wider audience than a garage sale ever would.
Make the Sale More Profitable
A few habits turn a mediocre garage sale into a good one. Bundle small items, such as three paperbacks for two dollars or a bag of toys for five. Offer a discount at the end of the day, such as everything half price after noon. Group matching sets together, and put the best items where people see them first. Be friendly, say good morning and let people browse in peace. Keep a tally of what you sold, and note which items went fast so you know what to price lower next time. If a buyer wants a lot, offer a package price.
What to Do With Unsold Items
Plan your exit before you start. At the end of your last day, you have three options. 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 takes furniture and building supplies, and Value Village and other charity shops take clothing and housewares. Phone first. For what nobody wants, see junk removal in Ottawa. Do not box everything up and put it back in the basement. You decided you did not need it.
Ottawa garage sale checklist
- Check the City of Ottawa 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
If you are still unsure whether a garage sale is worth the effort, try a simple test. Count the items you expect to sell and multiply by a realistic price of a few dollars each. If the total is well under what you would earn in the time, sell the best items online and donate the rest. A garage sale is best when you have a lot of small things, a sunny weekend and a bit of energy. Otherwise, your time may be better spent on a handful of good online listings, and the neighbours will thank you for not blocking the street.
Finally, think about your neighbours. Keep noise and parking reasonable, put out only what you can supervise and tidy up when you finish. A friendly, well-run sale builds goodwill on your street, and next spring your neighbours may join you in a bigger one.
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 Ottawa?
As far as I could confirm, the City of Ottawa does not require a permit for occasional private garage sales at your property. The limits reported are two consecutive days and two sales per property per year, with signs on private property only and removed the same day. Rules can change and condos may have their own, so call 311 or check ottawa.ca.
What is the Great Glebe Garage Sale?
It is a large annual community garage sale in the Glebe neighbourhood, organised by the Glebe Community Association, where many households sell on the same day. The association's FAQ page explains how it works and how to take part.
When is the best time to hold a garage sale in Ottawa?
May, June and September are the busiest months, and Saturday morning, starting around 8 a.m., is the best time. Winter and early spring are slow, so use online listings instead.
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 or charity shops after phoning to check what they take. Do not store unsold items again; you have already decided you do not need them.
