Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Lakewood, CA Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Sales per year
2 residential sales events
Max length
2 days per event
New merchandise
Not permitted for resale
Right-of-way
Sale cannot encroach into it
Governing code
Lakewood Municipal Code § 9320(H)

Summary

Lakewood caps residential garage and yard sales at two events per calendar year, each running no more than two days, and bars bringing in new merchandise to resell at the sale.

Residential sales events as defined in Section 9302.36.c, not exceeding two (2) per calendar year. Each event shall be allowed to operate a maximum of two (2) days. If the sales event terminates prior to the two (2) day period allowed, it will be considered one of the two (2) events allowed per year. No new items shall be permitted for resale. The sale shall not encroach into any public right-of-way.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4901715; v5 updated 2026-04-28; through 04-28-2026).

Full Breakdown

36(c), as an accessory use in the R-1 zone, but restricts them to not exceeding two per calendar year, with each event allowed to run a maximum of two days. If a sale wraps up early, before the full two-day window, the code still counts it as one of the two annual events, so a homeowner cannot stretch a short sale into extra future dates. The section explicitly bars bringing in new items purchased or acquired specifically for resale at the event, meaning it is meant for residents clearing out their own household goods rather than running an informal retail operation.

Sales also cannot encroach into any public right-of-way, so tables, racks or signage cannot spill onto the sidewalk or street. This provision was added by Ordinance 86-7 and sits inside the same R-1 use list as the City's home business occupation rules, reflecting the same broader theme in Lakewood's code of protecting the residential character of its single-family neighborhoods, largely built out as a uniform post-war planned suburb.

Violations & Fines

Holding a garage sale beyond the two-per-year or two-day-per-event caps, restocking a sale with new resale merchandise, or letting a sale encroach into the public right-of-way is a Municipal Code violation enforceable under § 1200 as a misdemeanor (up to six months in county jail plus the state maximum misdemeanor fine) or as an infraction under § 1205 at the City's election, with fines that escalate for repeat violations within a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many garage sales can I have per year in Lakewood?
Two residential sales events per calendar year under Lakewood Municipal Code § 9320(H), each capped at a maximum of two days. A sale that ends early still counts as one of your two allowed events for the year.
Can I sell new items at my Lakewood garage sale?
No. Section 9320(H) states no new items shall be permitted for resale at a residential sales event, so the sale must be limited to the household's own used goods rather than merchandise acquired to resell.
Can I put my garage sale signs on the sidewalk in Lakewood?
No. The sale itself, including any tables or displays, cannot encroach into the public right-of-way under § 9320(H), which covers sidewalks and streets adjacent to the property.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lakewood

All Lakewood rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Lakewood to another location·View the California garage & yard sales overview

Get notified when Frequency, Duration & Permits in Lakewood, CA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Frequency, Duration & Permits in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Los Angeles County handle frequency, duration & permits.

Los Angeles, CA
Light Restrictions
Downey, CA
Some Restrictions
Carson, CA
Some Restrictions
West Covina, CA
Some Restrictions
El Monte, CA
Some Restrictions
Norwalk, CA
Some Restrictions
South Gate, CA
Some Restrictions
Santa Clarita, CA
Some Restrictions