First, you must have a garage sale permit—it must be conspicuously displayed!
Single family residence: authorized two permits per street address per calendar year. Each permit has a $16.00 fee.
Multi-family residence: authorized one permit per street address per calendar quarter. Each permit has a $16.00 fee.
Multi-family garage sale (also known as block sale) counts as one garage sale for each participating family and each participating family and address must be included on the permit. Each permit has a $16.00 fee.
Each garage sale permit is for 3 consecutive days. If inclement weather on 2 of 3 days, then replacement permit may be requested within one week.
Hours of operation: garage sales may only operate between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
What can you sell at a Garage Sale?
Only the personal property of persons named on the permit may be sold.
“Personal Property” does not include property that has been consigned to, or acquired by, the permitee(s) for the purpose of resale.
The personal property for sale shall be set out for display in any open garage, yard, or patio—it must not block a public thoroughfare!
How do you obtain a permit?
At City Hall, 4th floor, Business License Section: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or you can HYPERLINK “http://www.longbeach.gov/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=5024″ \t “_blank” download the application, fill it out and return with your payment to City Hall, 4th Floor Business License Section .
At the South City of Long Beach Police Substation: Seven days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
At the North, East, and West City of Long Beach Police Substations: Schedule varies. Please contact the desired substation before you apply. Their contact information is located at the bottom of the Garage Sale Regulations Summarized page, attached to the HYPERLINK “http://www.longbeach.gov/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=5024″ \t “_blank” application.
For proof of identification and address you must bring a driver’s license (or California Identification Card). If your current address is not on your driver’s license, you must also bring a utility bill indicating you live at the address.
For a multi-family garage sale, the representative needs to submit a signed application and copy of utility bill for each participant to City Hall.
What types of signs are authorized?
Only one sign is authorized and it must be on the garage sale property.
The sign can be no larger than 4 feet in height nor 6 square feet in area.
No signs pointing to or advertising the garage sale other than the one above are authorized.
How is the Garage Sale ordinance enforced?
There is License Inspector coverage from the City’s Business License Section seven days per week.
On Saturdays and Sundays there is special emphasis on garage sales.
There is a Garage Sale Hotline, (562) 570-YARD, for requesting garage sale information after hours or for calling in garage sale complaints.
What are the penalties for violating the Garage Sale ordinance?
The first violation is an infraction with a $200.00 fine.
The second violation is an infraction with a $400.00 fine.
Third and subsequent violations are misdemeanors with a fine not to exceed $500.00 and/or up to 90 days in County Jail.
What has changed?
Garage sale hours are shorter: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. rather than 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
You can now get garage sale permits at police substations or by HYPERLINK “http://www.longbeach.gov/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=5024″ \t “_blank” downloading the application.
Multi-family residences are restricted to one garage sale per calendar quarter.
There is full-time weekend enforcement of the garage sale ordinance.
The first and second violations are infractions rather than misdemeanors.
Garage Sale Permit fee is now $16.00 (sixteen dollars).
