Mendota Municipal Code Art. II Exemptions

Disabled veterans of the armed forces of the United States, who are physically unable to obtain a livelihood by manual labor, may distribute circulars and hock, peddle and vend goods, wares or merchandise owned by them in the city, except spirituous, malt, vinous or other intoxicating liquors, without payment of a business license fee under this title. The finance director shall issue to all such a license to persons who apply therefor, without fees, for a period of thirty (30) days with renewal privileges.

(Ord. 91-05 § 1(part), 1991: prior code § 4.02.010)

A. Persons exempt from payment of taxes and business license fees by virtue of Article XIII of the Constitution of the state of California and Government Code Section 37101.5, are exempt from the payment of business license fees under this title.

B. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the renting, letting or subletting of property by a person to himself or herself.

(Ord. 91-05 § 1(part), 1991: prior code § 4.02.020)

Businesses conducted, managed or carried on solely for charitable, religious, educational or civic purposes are exempt from the payment of business license fees.

(Ord. 91-05 § 1(part), 1991: Ord. 91-03 § 9, 1991: prior code § 4.02.030)

As used in this section, "garage sale" and "yard sale" may be used interchangeably and shall refer to offering and selling used personal property to the public upon the premises of a residence. Notwithstanding other provisions of this code to the contrary, garage sales may be conducted in residential districts pursuant to the following requirements:

A. Permits. Prior to conducting a garage sale in a residential district, the person hosting the sale shall apply for and obtain a permit from the clerk of the City of Mendota. An administrative fee of five dollars ($5.00) shall be charged for all garage sale permits.

B. Frequency. No more than six garage sales may be conducted on any premises in a residential district during a calendar year. One additional sale shall be permitted upon satisfactory proof that a change in ownership of the premises occurred during such year with the Garage Sale Permit application.

C. Length of Time. No garage sale shall be conducted for longer than twelve (12) hours. Garage sales shall only be conducted during daylight hours.

D. Display. No item offered at a garage sale shall be displayed in, block, or otherwise impede a public right-of-way.

E. Signage. Any single sign advertising a garage sale shall not exceed an area of four square feet. All signs advertising a garage sale shall not exceed a cumulative area of twelve (12) square feet. Up to two signs advertising a garage sale may be displayed off the garage sale premises if written permission to display such sign is obtained from the property owner in advance. Signs advertising garage sales may be displayed only during the time of the garage sale and shall be removed at the time the garage sale ends.

F. Fines. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an infraction punishable as follows:

1. A twenty-five-dollar ($25.00) fine for the first offense within a one-year period.

2. A fifty-dollar ($50.00) fine for the second offense within a one-year period.

3. A one-hundred-dollar ($100.00) fine for each subsequent offense within a one-year period.

(Ord. 08-08 § 1, 2008; Ord. 99-03 § 1, 1999: prior code § 4.02.040)

(Ord. No. 09-04, § 1, 3-24-2009; Ord. No. 25-03, § 2, 9-16-2025)

The city council may, in its discretion, waive the requirements of this chapter and direct the city clerk to issue a license to any person upon application by that person to the city council and a showing by that person of exceptional circumstances justifying the exemption.

(Ord. 94-16 § 1, 1994: Ord. 91-05 § 1(part), 1991: prior code § 4.02.054)