Auburn, WA Property Maintenance: Garage Sale Rules (2026)

Auburn City Code does not require residents to obtain a permit or pay a fee to hold an occasional garage sale or yard sale at their home. The general rule in most Puget Sound cities, followed in Auburn, is that bona fide residential garage sales are limited to a small number of events per calendar year (typically three or four weekends) and must be held on the residential property, not in the public right-of-way. Sales must be truly residential in character, meaning they sell used household goods owned by the resident rather than new retail merchandise, which would require a business license under ACC Title 5 and proper retail zoning under ACC Title 18. Hours are generally limited to daytime (typically 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM) to avoid noise complaints under ACC Chapter 8.28, and customers parking on neighborhood streets must not block driveways, fire hydrants, or mailboxes. Temporary garage-sale signs must follow the ACC Chapter 18.56 sign code, including being removed at the end of the sale and not being placed on utility poles, street trees, or public right-of-way in a way that creates a sight-distance or enforcement issue. Goods displayed outside should be brought in at night to avoid creating a property-maintenance concern. Selling firearms or other regulated items at a garage sale still requires compliance with federal and Washington state law including background-check rules under RCW 9.41.