In this economy, shoppers see flea markets and swap meets as places to get bargains — but local governments evidently hear the growing flea market industry crying out for regulation. Since yesterday, news has broken about three different municipalities who are creating or considering new regulations for flea markets.
In Knox County, Tennessee, officials are considering regulations that would require flea markets to cover at least five acres and would permit operation only three days per week. According to KnoxNews.com:
The proposed ordinance, spearheaded by commission vice chairman Brad Anders, semi-targets Clinton Highway Flea Market, where many customers – and some vendors – park and set up shop along the road’s busy, dangerous right of way. Anders and some other commissioners also say they’ve received calls from business owners and residents who have expressed concern about other flea markets that are starting to pop up throughout the county.
But not all regulation is bad, though. In West Melbourne, Fla., city leaders reduced the annual license fee for individual flea market vendors from $157.50 to $26.25, reports FloridaToday.com.
And in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., the city council has voted to allow indoor flea markets within city limits. Formerly, all flea markets had been banned, according to SCNow.com.