Ventura County, CA Garage & Yard Sales: Frequency, Duration & Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max exempt sales
- Two per business tax year
- Business tax year
- July 1 to June 30
- Enforced by
- County Tax Collector
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Ventura County only
Summary
Unincorporated Ventura County lets residents hold up to two garage or yard sales per business tax year without registering as a business; a third sale in the same year triggers business tax certificate requirements.
(d)Garage Sales. The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to any natural person engaged in conducting garage sales or yard sales for which all property to be sold is a person's own personal property which has not been acquired for the purpose of resale, consignment, or the benefit of anyone other than the occupants of the premises, provided that such garage sales or yard sales do not exceed two in number in any business tax year.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
County Ordinance Code § 2006-2(d) exempts a natural person's garage or yard sale from the county business tax, but only if the sale involves the seller's own property not acquired for resale and the sales do not exceed two in any business tax year (July 1-June 30). This exemption applies only in the unincorporated area; Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura, Camarillo, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Port Hueneme and Ojai set their own rules. A resident holding a third sale in the same year loses the exemption and must obtain a business tax certificate from the County Tax Collector.
Violations & Fines
Holding more than two garage sales in a business tax year without a business tax certificate violates County Ordinance Code § 2004; the Tax Collector can require registration and payment of back taxes plus penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a garage sale in unincorporated Ventura County?
Does this rule apply inside Oxnard or Thousand Oaks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura 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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.