Contra Costa County · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County sets upkeep and securing rules for any vacant structure, not only foreclosed homes, and requires a boarding permit after a notice to secure. The county code applies only in unincorporated areas; foreclosure timing and sale rules come from state law.

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Key points

Upkeep: County rule: the owner of any vacant structure regularly removes waste, rubbish, debris, excess vegetation and graffiti from inside, outside and the premises.
Securing openings: County rule: an unsecured vacant structure's openings are secured with exterior-grade plywood at least one-half inch thick.
Boarding permit: County rule: after a notice to secure, apply for a boarding permit within 10 days, then secure the structure within 10 days of issue.
Utilities and signs: County rule: the owner of a vacant structure ends utility service and posts metal signs at each entrance until occupancy or demolition.
State timeline: State law: at least 3 months from notice of default to notice of sale, which is posted at least 20 days before the sale.
State sale rule: State law: on 1–4 unit property, a trustee's sale is not final for 15 days.

Each rule below is marked Contra Costa County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Contra Costa County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Contra Costa County have their own codes and their own pages.

Registering vacant and foreclosed homes

Contra Costa County code What Contra Costa County's code adds
Upkeep duties	Regularly remove all waste, rubbish, debris, excess vegetation and graffiti from the vacant structure's inside, outside and premises. Applies: Applies to the owner of any vacant structure, not only foreclosed homes. § 720-4.406 · code text All waste, rubbish, debris, excessive vegetation, and graffiti shall be regularly removed from the vacant structure's interior, exterior, and premises. Secure openings with exterior-grade plywood at least one-half inch thick, using the specified hardware and paint. Applies: Applies to the owner of any vacant structure that is unsecured. § 720-4.406 · code text If a vacant structure is unsecured, the vacant structure shall be secured as follows: End utility service: remove meters and cut electric power at the pole. The building official may waive the electric step. Applies: Applies to the owner of any vacant structure. A written waiver applies if power is needed for security lighting, an alarm or permitted work. § 720-4.406 · code text All utility service to the dwelling or building must be terminated by removal of the meters and termination of electric power at the pole. Cap the sewer in a way the county building official approves, to prevent methane-gas buildup. Applies: Applies if applicable. § 720-4.406 · code text If applicable, the sewer must be capped in a manner approved by the county building official to prevent the accumulation of methane gas in the dwelling or building. Post metal signs at or near each entrance and on fences or walls as appropriate, until lawful occupancy or demolition. Applies: Applies to the owner of a vacant structure. § 720-4.406 · code text One or more metal signs must be posted at or near each entrance to the structure and on fences or walls as appropriate. The signs must remain posted until the structure is either lawfully occupied or demolished. Keep any required fence safe, without tears, breaks, rust or dangerous protuberances. Applies: Applies if the county building official requires a fence. § 720-4.406 · code text Any fence erected in accordance with this section shall be maintained in a safe condition without tears, breaks, rust, or dangerous protuberances. Apply for a boarding permit no later than 10 days after the notice to secure and maintain is sent. Applies: Applies if the county building official issues a notice to secure and maintain an unsecured vacant structure. § 720-4.606 · code text Apply for a boarding permit no later than ten days after the transmittal date specified on the notice to secure and maintain a vacant structure. Board up or otherwise secure the vacant structure no later than 10 days after the boarding permit is issued. Applies: Applies if the county building official issues a notice to secure and maintain an unsecured vacant structure. § 720-4.606 · code text Board or otherwise secure the vacant structure in compliance with Section 720-4.406 no later than ten days after the boarding permit is issued.

Foreclosure steps and deadlines

CA state law California law sets this statewide. Time between notice of default and sale: At least three months after the notice of default is recorded before notice of sale; the sale itself no earlier than three months and 20 days after the notice of default (Civ. Code § 2924(a)(2), (a)(4)). Notice of trustee's sale: Posted, published and recorded at least 20 days before the sale (Civ. Code § 2924f(b)). California foreclosure rules — the full state rule →

Homeowner protections

CA state law California law sets this statewide. No foreclosure while a loan modification is pending: If a complete first-lien modification application is submitted at least five business days before a sale, the servicer may not record a notice of default or sale, or hold the sale, while it is pending (Civ. Code § 2923.6(c)). California foreclosure rules — the full state rule →

The trustee's sale (auction)

CA state law California law sets this statewide. When and where sales are held: At public auction in the county where the property is, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on a business day (Civ. Code § 2924g(a)(1)). Tenant and owner-occupant priority after a sale (SB 1079): On 1–4 unit property, a trustee's sale is not final for 15 days; eligible tenant buyers and eligible bidders who give notice of intent may bid within 45 days (Civ. Code § 2924m(c)). California foreclosure rules — the full state rule →

Tenants in a foreclosed home

CA state law California law sets this statewide. Tenants in a foreclosed property: A month-to-month tenant must get at least 90 days' written notice to quit; a tenant with a fixed-term lease signed before the sale may stay to the end of the lease (Code Civ. Proc. § 1161b(a), (b)). California foreclosure rules — the full state rule →

Debt after the sale

CA state law California law sets this statewide. No deficiency after a trustee's sale: After a nonjudicial trustee's sale, the lender cannot collect any shortfall from the borrower (Code Civ. Proc. § 580d(a)). California foreclosure rules — the full state rule →

Who this affects

Homeowners behind on a loanBuyers of bank-owned homesLenders and servicers

Frequently asked questions

Must a lender or owner register a vacant or foreclosed home in Contra Costa County?

County rule: the owner of any vacant structure regularly removes waste, rubbish, debris, excess vegetation and graffiti from inside, outside and the premises. County rule: an unsecured vacant structure's openings are secured with exterior-grade plywood at least one-half inch thick. County rule: after a notice to secure, apply for a boarding permit within 10 days, then secure the structure within 10 days of issue. County rule: the owner of a vacant structure ends utility service and posts metal signs at each entrance until occupancy or demolition.

General information, not legal advice.

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