Contra Costa County, CA Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Sales allowed
- 4 per 12 months, per residence
- Max duration
- 2 consecutive days each
- Permit needed if limits met
- No
- Exceeding the limit
- Requires full temporary event permit
- Governing section
- Ordinance Code § 82-44.404(j)
Summary
Unincorporated Contra Costa County lets homeowners hold garage sales without a temporary event permit, but only up to four times in any twelve-month period per residence, and each sale is capped at two consecutive days under the county's Temporary Events Ordinance.
Garage sales held at a private residence, provided that sales occur no more than four times within a twelve-month period per residence, for a maximum of two consecutive days each.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Ordinance Code: Supplement 103).
Full Breakdown
404(j) specifically carves out garage sales, exempting them from the permit requirements of the chapter as long as sales occur no more than four times within a twelve-month period per residence, for a maximum of two consecutive days each. 016, so the four-sales, two-day rule applies county-wide regardless of which chapter a resident or code enforcement officer references. weekend cutoff for amplified sound. 418. Because the exemption is tied to "per residence," a homeowner cannot dodge the four-sale cap by rotating sales among different family members living at the same address; the limit runs with the property.
Violations & Fines
Holding a fifth garage sale at the same residence within twelve months, or running any sale past two consecutive days, forfeits the Section 82-44.404(j) exemption and makes the event subject to the full temporary event permit process; holding an unpermitted event that should have been permitted is enforceable under Section 82-44.418 through administrative fines, infraction citations, or a cease-and-desist order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many garage sales can I hold per year in unincorporated Contra Costa County?
Do I need a permit for a two-day garage sale?
What happens if I hold a fifth garage sale in one year?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Contra Costa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Contra Costa County to another location·View the California garage & yard sales overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.