Thurston County, WA Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max sale length
- 3 consecutive days
- Max sales per year
- 2 per 12 months
- Advance notice required
- 3 working days to sheriff
- Enforcing agency
- Thurston County Sheriff
- Sale hours
- Daylight hours only
Summary
Thurston County caps garage sales at three consecutive days and two sales per address in any twelve-month period, with sheriff notification required.
A garage sale shall not exceed three consecutive days and no person shall be responsible for more than two garage sales in any twelve-month period. Sales shall be conducted only during daylight hours and no sale shall be conducted in any manner causing an obstruction or interference with a public right-of-way.
Signs advertising the garage sale may be posted on the property where the sale is being held. In addition, a maximum of two signs may be posted off the property where the sale is being held. All signs may be posted only on the day of sale and must be removed immediately after the sale is completed.
(Ord. 7259, 1982: Ord. 7204 § 3 (part), 1982)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 77).
Full Breakdown
County Code Section 6.30.020 requires anyone holding a garage sale to notify the Thurston County sheriff at least three working days before the sale starts, giving names, addresses, and sale dates. The sheriff assigns a sale number that must be posted visibly, and deputies can inspect items offered for sale. A single sale cannot run longer than three consecutive days, and the same person cannot hold more than two garage sales in any twelve-month period. Sales must run during daylight hours only, and up to two off-site directional signs are allowed but must come down the day the sale ends.
Violations & Fines
Holding a sale without the required three-day advance sheriff notification, exceeding three consecutive sale days, or running more than two sales per twelve-month period is a violation punishable under Chapter 6.30's enforcement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many garage sales can I hold per year in Thurston County?
Do I need to notify anyone before a garage sale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thurston County
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