Thurston County, WA Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Off-property signs allowed
- Maximum 2
- Sign posting window
- Day of sale only
- Sign removal deadline
- Immediately after sale ends
- Advance notice to sheriff
- 3 working days
- Max sale length
- 3 consecutive days
- Sales per person per year
- 2 maximum
- Second-offense fine cap
- $100
Summary
Thurston County caps garage-sale advertising at two off-property signs, both postable only on the day of the sale and removable immediately afterward, under TCC 6.30.020. The same section requires three working days' advance notice to the sheriff, a posted sale number, and limits sales to three consecutive days, twice per person per year.
It is unlawful for any person to hold a garage sale as defined in this chapter without first having notified the Thurston County sheriff at least three working days prior to commencement of the sale. The notification shall include the name and address of the person providing the notification, the names and addresses of the people responsible for the sale, and the dates of the sale. The sheriff shall assign a number to the garage sale which the person responsible for the garage sale must post in a visible location at the garage sale. The sheriff shall have authority to inspect all items offered for sale. 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.
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
29 (flea market, junk and secondhand dealers). 020, whoever holds a garage sale must notify the Thurston County sheriff at least three working days before the sale starts, giving the notifier's name and address, the names and addresses of everyone responsible for the sale, and the sale dates. The sheriff assigns a number to the sale that must be posted in a visible spot at the sale site, and the sheriff can inspect all items offered for sale. A single sale cannot run more than three consecutive days, and no one can be responsible for more than two garage sales in any twelve-month period; sales are daylight-hours only and can't obstruct or interfere with a public right-of-way.
On signage specifically: signs may be posted on the sale property itself without limit, but only a maximum of two signs may go up off the sale property, and every sign, on-property or off, may be posted solely on the day of the sale and must come down immediately once the sale ends. 020 itself, a drafting carryover from the single 1982 ordinance (Ord. 7204) that created both the dealer-licensing and garage-sale chapters together.
Violations & Fines
TCC 6.30.030 sets the penalty scheme: a first violation draws a written warning citation with no criminal sanction attached. If the same person is later convicted of a further violation after already receiving a warning citation, the fine is capped at $100. There is no separate criminal charge for a first offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many garage sale signs can I post off my property in Thurston County?
When do garage sale signs have to come down?
Do I have to notify the sheriff before holding a garage sale?
What happens the first time someone violates the garage sale rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thurston County
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