Closing Out Sale Permit

A "closing out sale" is defined as all sales advertised, represented or held forth as "going out of business", "discontinuance of business", "selling out", "liquidation", "lost our lease", "must vacate", "forced out", "removal" or similar designation. A "distress sale" includes all sales in which it is represented or implied that going out of business is possible or anticipated, in which closing out is referred to in any way, or in which it is implied that business conditions are so difficult that the seller is forced to conduct the sale (G.S. 66-76). North Carolina G.S.66-77 further provides "that no person may advertise or offer for sale, a stock of goods, wares or merchandise under the description of closing-out sale, or a sale of goods, wares or merchandise damaged by fire, smoke, water or otherwise hold a distress sale, unless he or she first obtains a license to conduct the sale."

If you are closing out your business and advertising a closing out sale, you must obtain a permit form the Town Clerk in order to do so. The application form can be obtained here and submitted to the Clerk at least seven (7) days prior to the start of the sale. The application must include the beginning and ending dates of the sale, dates of any previous distress or closing-out sales anywhere in the county in the last twelve (12) months and a complete inventory of the goods, wares or merchandise actually on hand at the place where the sale is to be conducted.  The fee for the permit is $50.00.  The permit is good for a period of thirty (30) days and up to two (2) additional permit extensions of thirty (30) days can be applied for with an additional fee of $50.00 for each extension.

Application for License to Conduct Closing-Out Sale, Fire or Other Distress Sale