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Elk Grove · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Elk Grove

Elk Grove requires the beneficiary or trustee to register a vacant property in default, and a local property management company for weekly inspections when an out-of-area party or corporation owns it. Foreclosure timing and sale rules come from state law.

Key points

  • Registration: City rule: the beneficiary or trustee holding the deed of trust registers within 10 days of the inspection that finds the property vacant.
  • Exemption: City rule: a property currently represented by a real estate agent, with a sign posted showing the agent's contact information, is exempt.
  • Renewal and contact: City rule: later annual registrations are due January 31; registration lists a direct contact name and phone number.
  • Local manager: City rule: a corporation or out-of-area owner contracts a local property management company for weekly inspections and posts its name and phone number.
  • Upkeep: City rule: keep the property free of weeds, trash and debris, remove graffiti, maintain visible yards, and close and lock openings.
  • 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.

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

Registering vacant and foreclosed homes

Elk Grove code What Elk Grove's code adds
Local contact
  • Registration must list a direct contact name and phone number, and the local property management company if there is one.
    Applies: Applies to a beneficiary or trustee registering a vacant property in default.
    § 16.17.400 · code text
    a direct contact name and phone number for the beneficiary/trustee and, if applicable, the local property management company responsible for the security, maintenance and marketing of the property.
  • Required.
    Applies: Applies when the property is owned by a corporation or an out-of-area beneficiary, trustee or owner.
    § 16.17.600 · code text
    If the property is owned by a corporation and/or out-of-area beneficiary/trustee/owner, a local property management company shall be contracted to perform weekly inspections to verify that the requirements of this section, and any other applicable laws, are being met.
Upkeep duties
  • Keep the property free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, accumulated newspapers and similar items that give the appearance the property is abandoned.
    § 16.17.500 · code text
    Properties subject to this section shall be kept free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, any accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, notices, except those required by federal, state or local law, discarded personal items, including but not limited to furniture, clothing, large and small appliances, printed material or any other items that give the appearance that the property is abandoned.
  • Remove graffiti, tagging or similar markings, or paint over them with matching exterior-grade paint.
    Applies: Applies to properties subject to this section.
    § 16.17.500 · code text
    The property shall be maintained free of graffiti, tagging or similar markings by removal or painting over with an exterior grade paint that matches the color of the exterior of the structure.
  • Maintain visible front and side yards with landscaping to the city code standard.
    Applies: Applies to visible front and side yards.
    § 16.17.500 · code text
    Visible front and side yards shall be landscaped and maintained to the EGMC standard at the time registration was required.
  • Regularly water, irrigate, cut, prune and mow the required landscape, and remove all trimmings.
    Applies: Applies to the required landscape.
    § 16.17.500 · code text
    Maintenance includes but is not limited to regular watering, irrigation, cutting, pruning and mowing of required landscape and removal of all trimmings.
  • Keep pools and spas running so water stays clear and free of pollutants and debris, or drain and keep them dry. Meet minimum state security-fencing rules.
    Applies: Applies to properties with pools or spas.
    § 16.17.500 · code text
    Pools and spas shall be kept in working order so the water remains clear and free of pollutants and debris or drained and kept dry. In either case properties with pools and/or spas must comply with the minimum security fencing requirements of the State of California.
  • Keep the property secure by closing and locking windows, doors, gates and openings. Reglaze or board broken windows.
    Applies: Applies to properties subject to this chapter.
    § 16.17.600 · code text
    Properties subject to this chapter shall be maintained in a secure manner so as not to be accessible to unauthorized persons.
  • Contract a local property management company to inspect the property every week.
    Applies: Applies to property owned by a corporation or an out-of-area beneficiary, trustee or owner.
    § 16.17.600 · code text
    The local property management company shall inspect the property on a weekly basis to determine if the property is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
  • Post the local management company's name and a 24-hour phone number on a sign at least 18 by 24 inches.
    Applies: Applies when the property is owned by a corporation or an out-of-area beneficiary, trustee or owner. The sign must be visible from the street.
    § 16.17.600 · code text
    The posting shall be no less than eighteen by twenty-four (18" x 24") inches and shall be of a font that is legible from a distance of forty-five (45' 00") feet
Deadline to register
  • Register within 10 days of the inspection.
    Applies: Applies to the beneficiary or trustee holding the deed of trust, when the post-default inspection finds the property vacant or showing signs of vacancy.
    § 16.17.400 · code text
    the beneficiary/trustee shall, within ten (10) days of the inspection, register the property with the City Manager or his or her designee on forms provided by the City.
  • January 31 of the year due.
    Applies: Applies to later annual registrations.
    § 16.17.400 · code text
    Subsequent registrations and fees are due January 1st of each year and must be received no later than January 31st of the year due.
Registration fee
  • The fee is set by the city code section on registration fees.
    Applies: Applies to the annual registration fee.
    § 16.17.400 · code text
    The annual registration fee shall be set per EGMC Section 16.17.800.
Registration
  • Required.
    Applies: Applies to the beneficiary or trustee holding a deed of trust, when the inspection before a notice of default finds the property vacant.
    § 16.17.400 · code text
    If the property is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy, it is, by this chapter, deemed abandoned and the beneficiary/trustee shall, within ten (10) days of the inspection, register the property with the City Manager or his or her designee on forms provided by the City.
  • Required.
    Applies: Applies to a beneficiary or trustee when an occupied property in default (inspected at least monthly) is later found vacant or showing vacancy signs.
    § 16.17.400 · code text
    It is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy at which time it is deemed abandoned, and the trustee shall, within ten (10) days of that inspection, register the property with the City Manager or designee on forms provided by the City.
  • Required.
    Applies: Applies to the beneficiary when title passes to it after a foreclosure sale or deed in lieu. It stays required while the property is vacant.
    § 16.17.400 · code text
    This section shall also apply to properties that have been the subject of a foreclosure sale where the title was transferred to the beneficiary of a deed of trust involved in the foreclosure and any properties transferred under a deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale.
  • Exempt.
    Applies: Applies when the property is currently represented by a real estate agent and has a sign posted with the agent's contact information.
    § 16.17.400 · code text
    Properties currently represented by a real estate agent, having a sign posted on the property with contact information for the agent, are exempt from the requirements of this chapter.

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 Elk Grove?

City rule: the beneficiary or trustee holding the deed of trust registers within 10 days of the inspection that finds the property vacant. City rule: a property currently represented by a real estate agent, with a sign posted showing the agent's contact information, is exempt. City rule: later annual registrations are due January 31; registration lists a direct contact name and phone number. City rule: a corporation or out-of-area owner contracts a local property management company for weekly inspections and posts its name and phone number. City rule: keep the property free of weeds, trash and debris, remove graffiti, maintain visible yards, and close and lock openings.

General information, not legal advice.

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