Showing ordinances that apply to Loma Mar, CA
Loma Mar is an unincorporated community (population 134) in San Mateo County, California. Because Loma Mar is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, San Mateo County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The frequency limits rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Unincorporated San Mateo County does not codify a specific numeric annual cap on garage sales per household, but treats sales as permissible incidental residential use when occasional — typically understood as 2-4 per year. Holding sales with greater frequency or for extended durations can trigger home-business zoning review, require a business license, and constitute an unpermitted retail use of residential property. HOA communities often impose stricter limits (commonly 1-2 per year).
While the County has no rigid numeric cap in Title 6 Zoning, enforcement interprets 'occasional' as 2-4 sales per household per calendar year, each lasting 1-3 consecutive days. This interpretation parallels most San Mateo County cities that do specify caps — City of San Mateo's Chapter 5.64 allows 2 sales per year at 2 days each; Redwood City and Belmont have similar limits. Multi-family or neighborhood-wide/HOA-wide community sales are typically treated as a single event for frequency-count purposes. Exceeding the occasional threshold triggers two concerns: (1) zoning interpretation that the property is being used for ongoing retail (a home occupation or unpermitted retail use requiring a business license and zoning clearance), and (2) sales tax obligations once sales become a regular commercial activity (CDTFA seller's permit required at 3+ sales per 12 months under Publication 31). Church, school, nonprofit, and HOA charity sales are generally treated separately with their own rules under the County's occasional-use allowance.
Exceeding occasional-use threshold: zoning violation $100-$500, required business license application. Operating as unlicensed retail: CDTFA back-sales-tax assessment plus penalties. HOA violations: separate HOA fines and legal action by association.
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