Garage Sale Rules: Ontario vs San Bernardino
How do garage sale rules rules compare between Ontario, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
Ontario and San Bernardino have similar restriction levels.
Ontario, CA
San Bernardino County
Ontario allows garage sales during daylight hours on single-family property, but limits them to 3 per year per address, 2 consecutive days, and bans selling new merchandise.
View full Ontario rules →San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino limits residential garage sales to 3 per address per year, up to 3 days each from 8:00 AM to sunset. Only personal household goods may be sold, not retail inventory.
View full San Bernardino rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Ontario | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Sales per year | 3 per address | - |
| Sale duration | 2 consecutive days | - |
| Hours | Daylight only | 8:00 AM to sunset |
| Prohibited | New or resale merchandise | - |
| Contact | Code Enforcement (909) 395-2030 | - |
| Annual limit | - | 3 sales per address per calendar year |
| Duration | - | Up to 3 consecutive days each |
| Items | - | Personal household property only |
| Permit | - | Required through the city clerk; no business license for occasional sales |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Ontario FAQ
Do I need a permit for a garage sale in Ontario?
Ontario does not charge for a residential garage sale permit, but the sale must meet the 3-per-year, 2-day, daytime, used-items limits under OMC Chapter 5.
Can I sell T-shirts I bought wholesale at my garage sale?
No. Garage sales are for your own used household items. Reselling new or wholesale merchandise requires a CDTFA Seller's Permit and a City business license.
San Bernardino FAQ
Do I need a garage sale permit in San Bernardino?
Most residents pull a free or low-cost garage sale permit through the city clerk to document compliance with the three-sale rule. Even where not required, the permit helps show the activity is casual and not retail.
Can I hold a weekly yard sale?
No. Weekly or more frequent sales exceed the three-per-year limit and are treated as unlicensed retail activity, subject to business license enforcement and possible zoning violations.
Can I sell items from my driveway that I bought wholesale?
No. Reselling purchased inventory is retail business activity that requires a business license and proper zoning. It is not a garage sale under Chapter 8.60.
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