Washington County, OR Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency Limits (2026)

Garage sale frequency is limited across Washington County cities to prevent residential properties from operating as de facto retail establishments. Beaverton BC 7.02 allows up to 3-4 sales per calendar year, each no more than 3 consecutive days. Hillsboro HMC 5.04 caps at 4 sales annually with similar duration. Tigard TMC 5.04 allows 4 sales per year, up to 3 days each. Tualatin TMC limits to 3-4 sales per year. Sherwood and Forest Grove follow similar patterns. Unincorporated Washington County relies on the CDC home occupation provisions (§430-63) which consider ongoing retail activity a prohibited use in residential zones — enforcement typically triggers after a resident is running weekly or biweekly sales. Multi-family/neighborhood sales (subdivision-wide events in Bethany, Oak Hills, Murrayhill, Sherwood) are treated as single events under most city codes, often scheduled annually. Estate sales are generally distinct and may be handled by licensed estate-sale companies under different rules. Sales involving commercially-purchased new merchandise for resale cross into retail territory requiring a business license and potentially zoning approval.