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

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Max events per year
5 sales events
Max days per event
2 consecutive days
Max total days per year
10 days
Hours allowed
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Items allowed
Used items originally purchased for household use only
Permit
No separate permit required if rules are met

Summary

Garage and yard sales in Los Angeles are permitted as an accessory residential use, limited to five sales events per calendar year and no more than ten total days per year.

Garage and/or yard sales shall be considered accessory to a residential use, if the sale is only incidental to the individual's residential occupancy of the premises; and

1. The sales are confined to the sale of used items which were originally received or purchased for use in the household; and

2. The sales are restricted to a maximum of five sales events per calendar year as a means of disposing of used items originally received or purchased for use in the household; and

3. The sales are limited to not more than two consecutive days per event; and

4. The sales are limited to not more than ten days per calendar year total; and

5. The sales are limited to the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For purposes of this section, the term accessory use shall not apply to any garage and/or yard sales where new goods or merchandise, or items that were not intended to be used in the household are offered or displayed for sale or exchange.

Source: Los Angeles Municipal CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

Under LAMC § 12.03, garage and yard sales qualify as an accessory use only when the sale is incidental to the resident's occupancy and the items sold were originally received or purchased for household use. No event may run more than two consecutive days. Sales are further capped at ten days per calendar year in total across all events. Items not intended for household use (such as new merchandise) must not be offered or displayed for sale.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding these limits converts the activity from an accessory use to an unlawful commercial use, subject to zoning enforcement. General code violations are punishable as misdemeanors: fines up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in the County Jail (LAMC § 11.00(m)). Administrative citations are also available: $250 first violation, $500 second violation, $1,000 third and subsequent violations (LAMC § 11.2.04).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold more than five garage sales in a year?
No. LAMC § 12.03 limits garage and yard sales to a maximum of five events per calendar year to remain classified as an accessory residential use. More frequent sales become a commercial activity requiring different zoning compliance.
Can I sell new merchandise at my garage sale?
No. The zoning code only treats a garage sale as an accessory use if the items sold were originally received or purchased for use in the household. Selling new goods or merchandise not intended for household use is not permitted under this provision.
What hours can I hold a garage sale?
Sales must be limited to the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. under LAMC § 12.03.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Los Angeles

All Los Angeles rules

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