Kennewick, WA Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Yard/garage sale
- No license required
- Rummage sale (nonprofit)
- Permit required, §6.17.040(3)
- Yard sale definition
- KMC 6.17.030(13)
- Rummage permit issued
- On application, §6.17.080(9)
Summary
Kennewick exempts yard and garage sales from the secondhand-dealer license requirement, but nonprofit rummage sales still need a permit under the same municipal code chapter.
(2)No license is required for motor vehicle dealers licensed under Chapter 46.70 RCW, motor vehicle wreckers and hulk haulers licensed under Chapter 46.79 or 46.80 RCW, persons giving an allowance for the trade-in or exchange of secondhand property on the purchase of other merchandise of the same kind of greater value, persons in the business of buying or selling empty food and beverage containers or metal or nonmetal junk, and persons holding a yard sale.(3)No person shall hold a rummage sale without securing a license as required by this chapter. (Ord. 5210, Sec. 1, 2007; Ord. 3321, Sec. 2, 1991; Ord. 2908, Sec. 1(part), 1985; Ord. 2808, Sec. 2, 1984; Ord. 2601, Sec. 1(part), 1981; Ord. 2542, Sec. 11(part), 1980)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
KMC 6.17.040(2) lists who is exempt from the secondhand-dealer license, including "persons holding a yard sale." A yard sale is defined at § 6.17.030(13) as a yard, patio, or garage sale by an individual or group selling to the general public. Rummage sales are treated differently: § 6.17.040(3) requires a permit, issued under § 6.17.080(9) once an authorized member of the nonprofit files an application naming the organization, sale purpose, goods to be sold, location, and date.
Violations & Fines
Holding an unpermitted rummage sale, or operating outside the yard-sale exemption's terms, is enforced under KMC 6.17.090: license denial, suspension, or a $25 to $500 penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a garage sale in Kennewick?
Does a charity rummage sale need a permit in Kennewick?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kennewick
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