Garage/Estate Sales

Garage and Estate Sales are sales of personal property held on the premises of a single family or multi-family (apartment or condominium) building. These sales are commonly referred to as lawn sales, yard sales, attic sales, rummage sales, moving sales, patio sales, and estate sales. The owner, tenant, or occupant of the property must obtain a Garage Sale Permit (see “Permit” below).

A Garage Sale may be held no more than once every six (6) months. Apartment and condominium buildings are also restricted to one sale every six (6) months regardless of the number of units in the building. The sale is limited to two (2) consecutive days which may not be split up over two weekends. The permitted hours of the sale are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Garage sale merchandise may only be displayed in a permanent structure, a back yard, or any rear or side yard on the property that is not visible from or does not front a public street. The area between the sidewalk in front of the residence and the street (the parkway) may not be used to display or store any merchandise.

Rules governing Garage Sales are addressed in Ordinance 92-O-2160 which became effective January 8, 1993; to read the Municipal Code section click here.

Permit

Garage Sale Permits are issued by the Community Development Department; the current fee is listed in the Development Fee Schedule on page two in the “Miscellaneous Development-Related Fees & Taxes” section.

To apply for a Garage Sale Permit submit an application to the Community Development Department. Applications are available at the Permit Center on the First Floor of City Hall or you may download a copy here. The following information is required:

Applicant name and address (must be the location of the sale)
Specific area where the sale will take place (e.g., back yard, side yard, etc.)
Date(s) and hours of the sale
General description of the type of merchandise for sale
A signed declaration that the applicant resides at the property where the sale will be held and that the applicant is the legal owner of all of the property that will be offered for sale.

Garage Sale Application(PDF)

Note: Upon submission of a complete and accurate application, and providing the garage sale activity will not violate the Beverly Hills Municipal Code or any other regulations, a Permit for the garage sale will be issued within ten (10) business days. Additional conditions of approval may be imposed at the discretion of the Community Development Department.

Signage and Advertising

When the Garage Sale Permit is approved, the Community Development Department will issue a sign to the applicant that must be used to advertise the garage sale: this is the only sign that may be used to advertise the sale. The Municipal Code restricts this sign to a maximum of three (3) square feet. If the property where the sale will be held is a corner lot, one additional sign no larger than three (3) square feet may be displayed in the side yard facing the other street. No flags or any other device intended to attract attention to the sale may be displayed. The sign may not be displayed anywhere other than on the private property and may not be placed on or inside any vehicle.

Suspension and Revocation of a Garage Sale Permit

The Community Development Department or the Chief of Police may suspend a Garage Sale Permit for any of the following reasons:

Inaccurate information was provided on the application
The sale is being conducted in violation of Beverly Hills’ provisions or any other regulation, or contrary to a condition of approval
The sale is being conducted in a fraudulent or disorderly manner, or in a manner that endangers the public health, safety or welfare.

Note: If the garage sale permit is suspended for any reason, the applicant must end the sale immediately and remove all signage and all the items offered for sale.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Q: How often can I have a garage sale?
A: No more often than once every six (6) months. Each garage sale is limited to a period of two (2) consecutive days, so you cannot hold a sale on a day of weekend and continue it to a day of the following weekend.

Q: What about apartment and condo buildings? If someone else in my building had a garage sale recently, do I have to wait to have one of my own?
A: Yes; since no single location can have a garage sale more than once every six (6) months, you have to wait six (6) months from the date the last garage sale in your building ended.

Q: How early can I begin my garage sale, and how late can it go?
A: Garage sales may not begin before 9:00 AM or continue past 6:00 PM.

Q: Can I hold the sale wherever I want on my property?
A: No, there are restrictions as to where the sale may take place: merchandise must be displayed within a permanent structure, or in a back yard, or any rear or side yard on the property that is not visible from or does not front a public street. The area between the sidewalk and the street curb (the parkway) may not be used to display or store any goods, products or merchandise.

Q: Can I post signs in and around the neighborhood to let people know about the sale?
A: No; the only sign or advertising allowed is the sign issued by the City when a permit is issued. This sign may not be displayed anywhere other than on the private property where the garage sale will take place; it may not be placed on or inside any vehicle. No flags or any other device intended to attract attention to the sale may be displayed.

To make an appointment to apply for a Garage Sale Permit, phone 310-285-1141.