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

Chapter 7.21 of the National City Municipal Code regulates garage, yard and rummage sales, and § 7.21.040 sets the frequency limits. Subsection C caps each sale and each permit at four consecutive days, and counts an unpermitted sale toward the annual limit. Subsection D allows no more than two garage sales per calendar year at the same address at a single-family residence, and no more than two per person per calendar year regardless of location. Subsection E gives a qualifying organization no more than two rummage sales per calendar year. Subsection F limits apartment complexes with three or more units and condominium complexes with three or more dwelling units to a maximum of two sales per calendar year, and the property owner, managing agent or management official must co-sign the application before a permit is issued.

Permits come from the finance department. Under § 7.21.030, a resident, or an organization or club on behalf of its members, must obtain a permit first and pay the fee in the National City fee schedule, in addition to any fee under Chapter 15.60 for temporary use permits. Applications are due at least forty-eight hours before the sale and must give the name and address of the seller, the location, a general description of the used goods, the dates and time period, a signature, and property owner or manager authorization for multifamily complexes. A separate permit and fee applies to each address, except that one fee can cover a neighborhood garage sale that funds a neighborhood civic program.

Other rules: the sale can display only one unlighted sign of no more than six square feet, up to one week ahead, and never in the public right-of-way (§ 7.21.060). Used goods cannot be displayed on streets, public sidewalks or vacant lots (§ 7.21.070). Firearms, ammunition, explosives, animals and livestock and any identifiable goods cannot be sold (§ 7.21.050). Outdoor used-goods sales on commercial or industrial property are prohibited except at licensed swap meets (§ 7.21.040(H)). Permit fees are not refunded, though a credit is issued if the permit is surrendered before its first authorized day, and after that day the permit counts against the number authorized (§ 7.21.090).