Los Angeles County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted zones
- C-2 and MXD
- All operations must be
- In enclosed building
- Required sign area
- 1–4 sq ft
- Sign message
- No donation drop-offs during non-business hours
- Sign area counts toward wall sign limit
- No
- Residential use on same lot
- Prohibited (except mixed-use development)
Summary
Secondhand stores in unincorporated LA County (Zones C-2 and MXD) must conduct all operations, including donation drop-off, sorting, and storage, inside an enclosed building, and must post a sign prohibiting after-hours drop-offs.
22.140.550 - Secondhand Stores. A.Applicability. This Section applies to secondhand stores in Zones C-2 and MXD. B.Residential Uses Prohibited. A residential use, accessory or otherwise, is prohibited on the same lot as a secondhand store, unless the residential use is within a mixed use development that has a secondhand store and otherwise complies with Section 22.140.360 (Mixed Use Developments). C.Enclosure. The areas of a secondhand store for donation drop-off, sorting, storing, and distributing shall be located entirely within an enclosed building. D.Required Sign. A secondhand store shall post one wall sign, with a minimum of one square foot and a maximum of four square feet of sign area, notifying the public that donation drop-offs to the secondhand store during non-business hours are prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Residential uses are prohibited on the same lot as a secondhand store unless the property is a qualifying mixed-use development complying with Section 22.140.360. The required sign must be 1 to 4 square feet and must notify the public that donation drop-offs during non-business hours are prohibited. The sign's area does not count against the store's maximum permitted wall sign area under Chapter 22.114.
Violations & Fines
Operating with outdoor donation areas, lacking the required sign, or violating the co-location prohibition is subject to zoning enforcement under Chapter 22.242.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can donation bins be placed outside the store?
What sign is required?
Can I live above my thrift store?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
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