Costa Mesa, CA Property Maintenance: Garage Sale Rules (2026)

Costa Mesa permits residential garage and yard sales without requiring a formal permit. Each property may hold no more than two garage or yard sale events per year, and each sale may not exceed three consecutive days. The city offers an optional online registration system through the city website where residents can register their garage sale. Sales should be conducted on private property and must not encroach onto public sidewalks, streets, or the public right-of-way. Items for sale should be displayed in an organized manner and all merchandise and signage must be cleaned up and removed at the end of each sale day. Signs advertising the sale must comply with the city's sign ordinance and may not be placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or on city property. While the city does not set specific operating hours for garage sales, sellers should be mindful of noise ordinances, particularly regarding early morning setup. Proceeds from occasional garage sales of personal household items are generally not subject to California sales tax, but regular or frequent sales may trigger tax obligations. Homeowners associations may impose additional restrictions on garage sale frequency, hours, and signage.