At least one working day prior to your garage sale you must purchase a Garage/Yard Sale permit at Downey City Hall, Cashier Counter, or Online through ActiveNet (details below). The permit costs $11.00. A maximum of two (2) Garage/Yard Sale permits may be issued per address/unit during each calendar year.  You may have your sale for two consecutive days, or 3 consecutive days on a City holiday weekend.

Your proof of permit will consist of any of the following: 

• The hard‑copy receipt issued by the cashier at City Hall
• The digital receipt generated through ActiveNet
• A printed copy of the online payment receipt

Posting the permit is no longer required. Instead, the applicant must be able to show proof of payment/permit issuance to any City representative upon request to verify that the sale is authorized.  A City‑issued yard sale sign will be provided upon request when the permit is obtained in-person at City Hall, until the existing sign stock has been completely used.

Garage/Yard sales are subject to the following:

1. The person who obtained the permit must be present at the sale at all times.
2. Inclement weather may extend the period of time equal to the days lost.
3. The merchandise offered for sale shall consist of the resident’s personal goods only. New merchandise may not be offered for sale.
4. It is illegal to post signs on public utility poles, street signs, traffic signs, trees and in the public right-of-way. Posting of such signs will result in you being assessed a $25.00 removal fee for each sign and the filing of a criminal complaint.
5. For apartments, multi‑unit properties, or block sales, each participating address/unit must obtain its own permit.
6. All sale areas are restricted to the garage and driveway area. If no driveway exists one-half (1/2) of the property width in the front yard may be used for sale of merchandise.

If you have any questions regarding Garage/Yard sales please call the City Code Enforcement Unit at (562) 904-2392.

Obtain Permit In-Person (Monday to Thursday, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
Downey City Hall
Cashier Counter
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
(562) 904-7246

Obtain Permit Online(New)

 Credit card transaction fee applies. 

1. Register for an ActiveNet account
2. Select Garage/Yard Sale Permit
3. Choose your dates
4. Answer Questions, agree to terms, and add the reservation to your cart
5. Check out and make your payment
6. Save the confirmation email to show as proof of payment/permit issuance.