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

Few Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Garage/yard sales, residential zones: No Temporary Use Permit needed
Frequency limit: None set by the Zoning Code
Governing exemption: Section 44-4.80.020(A)
Non-residential zone sale: Requires a Temporary Use Permit
Contrast: seasonal sales cap: 35 days, 3x/year (§44-4.80.030(A))
Max penalty if unpermitted elsewhere: $5,000 fine / 6 months jail

Summary

In unincorporated Colusa County, garage sales and yard sales held in residential zones are exempt from the Temporary Use Permit the Zoning Code otherwise requires for temporary uses, so the county sets no cap on how often you hold one or how long it runs under Section 44-4.80.020(A).

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Colusa County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

44-4.80.010 Permit Required. Except as specified in Section 44-4.80.020 (Temporary Uses Exempt from Permits), the establishment and operation of a temporary use shall require the approval of a Temporary Use Permit. 44-4.80.020 Temporary Uses Exempt from Permits. The following temporary uses are permitted without the approval of a Temporary Use Permit: A. Garage sales and yard sales in residential zones.

View official code

Full Breakdown

020. 030(G). 010 requiring a Temporary Use Permit from the Zoning Administrator before it can proceed. Because garage and yard sales in residential zones are fully exempt rather than merely permitted with conditions, the Community Development Department (Department of Planning and Building) does not track or limit how many sales a residential property holds each year.

Violations & Fines

There is no county-imposed frequency limit to violate for a residential-zone garage sale. The exposure runs the other way: holding a sale on non-residentially zoned property without first obtaining a Temporary Use Permit under Section 44-4.80.010 is a Zoning Code violation, and Section 44-1.130.030 makes any violation of the Zoning Code a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $5,000, up to six months in jail, or both, plus potential nuisance abatement under Chapter 42.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many garage sales can I hold per year in unincorporated Colusa County?

The Zoning Code sets no limit. Section 44-4.80.020(A) exempts garage sales and yard sales in residential zones outright from the Temporary Use Permit process that caps other temporary uses, so there is no county-imposed number of sales or day limit.

Do I need a permit for a garage sale?

Not if your property is zoned residential. Section 44-4.80.020(A) lists garage and yard sales in residential zones among the temporary uses 'permitted without the approval of a Temporary Use Permit.'

What if I want to hold a sale on commercially zoned property?

The residential-zone exemption does not apply there, so Section 44-4.80.010 requires a Temporary Use Permit from the Zoning Administrator before the sale can proceed.

Sources & Official References

[1]Colusa County Zoning Code (adopted 2014-08-26)

Other rules in Colusa County

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All Colusa County rules

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