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San Diego County, CA Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Max duration
3 consecutive days
Max frequency
4 sales per calendar year
Vehicle sales
Not allowed (except bicycles)
Resale items
Prohibited
Applies to
Unincorporated county only

Summary

Unincorporated San Diego County caps garage sales at 3 consecutive days and 4 sales per calendar year per property.

City-specific rules exist: Chula Vista, El Cajon, Vista, Escondido, and San Diego have their own frequency, duration & permits rules that differ from San Diego County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

gg. Garage Sale. The sale of household articles or personal possessions incidentally accumulated during normal or conforming residential use of the property on which the sale is held is permitted, subject to the following restrictions: 1. Such sales shall not exceed three (3) consecutive days in duration; 2. No more than four (4) such sales shall be held during any calendar year; 3. No sale of vehicles (other than bicycles), industrial or commercial equipment, or items purchased for resale shall be permitted; 4. The sale of personal items belonging to persons not residing on the property where the sale takes place, e.g., neighbors, is permitted.

Source: County Zoning OrdinanceView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).

Full Breakdown

Under Zoning Ordinance § 6156.gg, a garage sale of household articles or personal possessions incidentally accumulated during normal residential use is a permitted accessory use in unincorporated San Diego County, but only within limits: sales cannot exceed three consecutive days, and no more than four sales are allowed at the same property in any calendar year. Selling vehicles (other than bicycles), industrial or commercial equipment, or items bought for resale is not allowed, though items belonging to non-resident neighbors may be included in the sale.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the 3-day/4-per-year limit or selling prohibited items (vehicles, commercial equipment, resale goods) takes the sale outside the permitted accessory use and exposes the property to code enforcement action for an unpermitted use.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many garage sales can I hold per year in unincorporated San Diego County?
Up to four sales per calendar year, each lasting no more than three consecutive days, under Zoning Ordinance § 6156.gg.
Can I sell a neighbor's items at my garage sale?
Yes, personal items belonging to people who don't live on the property, such as neighbors, are allowed in the sale.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Diego County

All San Diego County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California garage & yard sales overview

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