Placentia, CA Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard sale dates
- First full weekend of March, June, September, December
- Weekend definition
- Saturday and Sunday
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Extra-day permits
- No more than two per parcel per calendar year
- Permit issuer
- Director of development services, fee set by council resolution
- Banned locations
- Public sidewalks, parkways, streets and alleys
Summary
In the City of Placentia, California, garage sales on residential property are limited to the first full weekend of March, June, September and December, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sales on other days need a permit from the director of development services, and no more than two such permits are issued per parcel in a calendar year.
No person shall operate, conduct, manage, or allow or permit to be conducted, a garage sale on any residentially zoned or residentially occupied property, except under the following conditions: (1) Garage sales may only be conducted on the first full weekend of the months of March, June, September, and December. For purposes of this section, “weekend” means Saturday and Sunday. Garage sales may be conducted on days other than those specified above upon obtaining a permit. ... No more than two (2) such permits authorizing additional garage sales on any parcel of property shall be issued within a calendar year. ... (2) All garage sale activity shall be conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Full Breakdown
Placentia Municipal Code § 23.81.030 treats a garage sale as a temporarily permitted accessory use in residential zones. The section covers sales called garage, yard, patio, rummage or similar, and it bars anyone from conducting or allowing one on residentially zoned or residentially occupied property except under its conditions.
The calendar is set by subsection (1). Garage sales can be conducted only on the first full weekend of the months of March, June, September and December, and "weekend" means Saturday and Sunday. Sales on other days need a permit obtained by written application to the director of development services on a city form. No more than two (2) such permits authorizing additional garage sales on any parcel can be issued within a calendar year. Fees for processing and issuing the permit are set by resolution of the city council and paid when the application is submitted.
Subsection (2) fixes the hours: all garage sale activity is conducted between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Subsection (3) controls location. Items are displayed only on private property occupied by the person or persons holding the sale. With the property owner's permission, that includes multiple-family dwelling property for its residents, homeowner or property owners' association property for its members, and property occupied by a church, charitable or other nonprofit organization for its members. Garage sale activity cannot be conducted on public sidewalks, parkways, streets or alleys.
Subsection (4) limits what is sold: used goods, wares or merchandise of a household or personal nature, from the household of the people conducting the sale, and not acquired elsewhere for resale. Subsection (5) sends off-site directional signs to § 23.90.140. Under subsection (6), any police, code enforcement or other officer of the city has the right to inspect the merchandise on display or stored for sale. Subsection (7) exempts court-ordered sales and public officials acting within their duties.
Violations & Fines
A Title 23 violation in the City of Placentia can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or an infraction at the city's option under § 1.08.020. A misdemeanor carries a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, with each day a separate offense under § 1.08.010. An infraction carries a fine not exceeding $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within one year, and $500 for each additional one, issued by police officers or the code enforcement officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I hold a garage sale in Placentia?
Can I hold a sale on a different weekend?
Can I put items on the sidewalk or street?
Can I resell items I bought elsewhere at my garage sale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Placentia
California rules heatmap·Compare Placentia to another location·View the California garage & yard sales overview
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