Santa Clara, CA Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)

122 of the Santa Clara Zoning Code (Temporary Use Permits) lists the short-term activities exempt from needing a permit. " The same exemption list covers on-site construction storage, emergency facilities, and events on public property, but garage sales get their own numeric cap rather than an open-ended allowance. 050 (Allowed Temporary Uses), the same chapter that governs special events, seasonal sales, and rummage sales open to a wider mix of merchandise. 050(B)(1) treats "rummage sales (not garage or yard sales)" as a distinct, permitted special-event category limited to six consecutive days or six two-day weekends within 12 months, underscoring that the two two-day-period cap is specific to residential garage and yard sales and is not interchangeable with the broader special-events allowance.

050's introductory clause, so a household that wants to run a third or fourth sale in a year needs both the extra permit and to clear that 30-day spacing rule. The exemption applies per residential parcel, not per household member, and the merchandise sold must be used household goods, not commercial inventory.