Garage Sale Signs: Tulare vs Visalia
How do garage sale signs rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Tulare and Visalia have similar restriction levels.
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
Tulare regulates yard and garage sales themselves under Municipal Code § 6.12.300, and the Finance Department at City Hall (411 E. Kern Ave.) issues yard sale applications. Sale signs are treated as temporary signs under Chapter 10.188; they cannot be posted on utility poles, traffic signs, or in the public right-of-way, and must be removed when the sale ends.
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
Tulare County does not publish a dedicated garage-sale-sign ordinance. Temporary garage-sale and directional signs in unincorporated areas are limited by the County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 352) sign standards, and County Code section 2-09-1005 prohibits attaching them to poles, trees, or any County property. Off-premise signs near state highways are restricted by the Outdoor Advertising Act.
View full Visalia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Yard sale code | Tulare Municipal Code § 6.12.300 (Swap meets and yard sales) | - |
| Application | Yard Sale Application — Finance Department, 411 E. Kern Ave. | - |
| Sign rules | Temporary signs under Ch. 10.188; no posting in right-of-way or on utility poles | - |
| Removal | Take down at end of sale; abandoned signs cited under § 10.56.340 | Illegally posted signs removed at violator's cost (section 2-09-1025) |
| Dedicated ordinance | - | None specific to garage-sale signs in unincorporated areas |
| On County property/poles | - | Prohibited - County Code section 2-09-1005 |
| Private property | - | Allowed subject to Zoning Ord. 352 temporary-sign limits |
| Near state highways | - | Restricted by CA Outdoor Advertising Act / Caltrans |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Do I need a permit to hold a garage sale in Tulare?
Yes — Tulare Municipal Code § 6.12.300 governs residential yard sales, and the City of Tulare Finance Department at 411 E. Kern Ave. issues yard sale applications (available in English and Spanish). Confirm the current annual limit and fee with Finance before scheduling.
Can I staple yard-sale signs to utility poles or stop signs?
No. Posting signs on utility poles, street-light standards, traffic signs, or anywhere in the public right-of-way is prohibited. Place directional signs on private property with the owner's permission and remove them as soon as the sale ends or they may be cited as abandoned signs under § 10.56.340.
Visalia FAQ
Can I staple garage-sale signs to telephone poles or street signs in unincorporated Tulare County?
No. County Code section 2-09-1005 makes it unlawful to affix signs of any kind to poles, hydrants, trees, walls, sidewalks, or other County property. Those signs can be removed and you can be billed for the removal cost. Keep signs on private property with the owner's permission.
Is there a special permit for garage-sale signs?
Tulare County does not publish a dedicated garage-sale-sign permit or ordinance. Temporary signs are governed by the County Zoning Ordinance's general sign standards; confirm size, placement, and how long signs may stay up for your zone with the Resource Management Agency.
Compare other topics
See how Tulare and Visalia compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool