Yard sales permitted but gathering-limit bylaw will be enforced, city warns
As yard sale season gets a late start in Hamilton, city officials are warning that COVID-19 measures and rules are still being advised — and enforced.
Paul Johnson, director of Hamilton’s Emergency Operations Centre, said Friday that, while garage sales are not prohibited under the province’s emergency order, they are not being encouraged.
“Our encouragement right now is that this may not be the best activity to enter into at this particular moment in the pandemic,” said Johnson, noting the city has fielded a number of questions about whether they were allowed.
There are no provincial guidelines on how residents should go about hosting a yard sale amid the pandemic.
Johnson said the city understands that spring and summer is usually a time that sees bargain hunters come out of hibernation as people line their lawns and driveways with stuff they hope to sell. And with “all the at-home time that we’ve all had,” where people cleaned out their houses, he said it’s likely people will want to bring back the summer tradition.
But, he said those that do choose to host a yard sale are still “responsible” for the number of people that show up on their front lawns, as that would be considered a gathering.
As per provincial orders, gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited as of Friday. If caught not controlling the crowd, Johnson said residents could get a “visit” from a bylaw officer, which could result in fines of up to $750 issued to each person.
As of Thursday, the city had handed out at least 28 tickets for gatherings of five or more people, according to its most recent numbers.
Beach Strip sale a no go
Johnson announced Friday the Beach Strip Garage Sale has also been cancelled this year.
The annual event, which takes place on the second weekend of July, draws hundreds if not thousands of bargain hunters to the city, he added.
City staff have been working with the community and residents of the area who have agreed it is “not the year” to host the event.
Johnson said the city will also be “actively enforcing” to ensure it does not go forward in any capacity.
“It’s just best to not push the envelope,” he said. “Another summer we’ll be back at it at the Beach Strip I’m sure.”
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com