Hanford · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Hanford

Hanford requires the beneficiary or trustee to register a property found vacant after default, and requires a local contact or property management company for out-of-area owners. Foreclosure timing and sale rules come from state law.

Ask about foreclosure & auctions in Hanford See coverage

Key points

Registration: City rule: the beneficiary or trustee registers within 10 days of the inspection that finds the property vacant or showing vacancy signs.
Fee and renewal: City rule: the fee is set by a separate council resolution and prorated for a partial year; renew January 1, by January 31.
Local manager: City rule: an out-of-area beneficiary, trustee or owner names a local property management company, which does a monthly inspection.
Sign and security: City rule: for out-of-area owners, post the local contact's name and a 24-hour phone number on a sign at least 18 by 24 inches.
Upkeep: City rule: keep the property free of weeds, trash and debris, remove graffiti, and landscape yards visible from the public right-of-way.
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 Hanford 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

Hanford code What Hanford's code adds
Local contact	Name the local property management company responsible for security, maintenance and marketing. Applies: Applies to a corporation, entity, or out-of-area beneficiary, trustee or owner. § 8.20.040 · code text The registration required by A and B above shall contain the name of the beneficiary/trustee, and, in the case of corporation, entity, or out-of-area beneficiary/trustee or owner, the local property management company responsible for the security, maintenance, and marketing of the property. Post the local contact's (or management company's) name and 24-hour phone on a sign at least 18 by 24 inches. Applies: Applies to property owned by an out-of-area beneficiary, trustee or owner. The sign must be legible from 45 feet. § 8.20.060 · code text The property shall be posted with the name and 24-hour contact phone number of the beneficiary's/trustee's/owner's local contact person, and if the beneficiary/trustee/owner does not have a local contact person, the beneficiary/trustee/owner's property management company.
Upkeep duties	Keep the property free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, accumulated papers and discarded personal items that give the appearance of abandonment. § 8.20.050 · code text The property 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 and similar markings, or paint over them with matching exterior-grade paint. Applies: Applies to properties subject to registration, before and after foreclosure or a deed in lieu of foreclosure. § 8.20.050 · code text The property shall be maintained free of graffiti, tagging, and similar markings by removal or painting over with an exterior-grade paint that matches the color of the exterior of the structures. Landscape and maintain all yards visible from the public right-of-way, including watering, irrigation, cutting, pruning, mowing and removing trimmings. Applies: Applies to yards visible from the public right-of-way on properties subject to registration, before and after foreclosure or a deed in lieu. § 8.20.050 · code text All yards visible from the public right-of-way shall be landscaped and maintained. Keep free of dry, overgrown grass, weeds, brush, debris and similar fire or health hazards. Applies: Applies to yards not visible from the public right-of-way. § 8.20.050 · code text All yards not visible from the public right-of-way shall be kept free from the accumulation of dry, overgrown grass, weeds, brush, debris or similar items that would constitute a fire or health hazard. Keep pools and spas operational with clear, clean water free of pollutants, debris and larvae, or drain and keep them dry. Meet minimum California security-fencing requirements. Applies: Applies to pools or spas on registered property, before and after foreclosure or a deed in lieu. § 8.20.050 · code text Pools and spas shall either be kept in working order, treated so the water remains clear and free of material, pollutants, debris, and any kind of larvae that would cause a health danger to the surrounding vicinity, or drained and kept dry. Keep the property secure: close and lock windows, doors, gates and openings, and reglaze broken windows. Applies: Applies to registered property, before and after foreclosure or a deed in lieu of foreclosure. § 8.20.060 · code text Property shall be maintained in a secure manner so as not to be accessible to unauthorized persons. "Secure manner" includes, but is not limited to, the closure and locking of windows, doors (walk-through, sliding and garage), gates, and any other opening of such size that may allow people, including children, to access the interior of the property and or structure(s). A monthly inspection to verify compliance. Applies: Applies to property owned by an out-of-area beneficiary, trustee or owner. § 8.20.060 · code text The beneficiary/trustee/owner or its local property management company shall inspect the property no less than on a monthly basis to determine if the property is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
Deadline to register	Register within 10 days of the inspection. Applies: Applies to the beneficiary or trustee when the inspection after default and before a notice of default finds the property vacant (deemed abandoned). § 8.20.040 · 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 10 days of the inspection, register the property with the code enforcement, or his or her designee, on forms available from the city. Register within 10 days of that inspection. Applies: Applies to the beneficiary or trustee when an occupied property in default (inspected monthly) is later found vacant or showing signs of vacancy. § 8.20.040 · code text It is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy, at which time is deemed abandoned and the trustee shall, within 10 days of that inspection, register the property with the code enforcement, or his or her designee, on forms provided by the city. January 1 of each year, and no later than January 31 of the year due. Applies: Applies to the beneficiary or trustee of a registered property, for the later annual registration and fee. § 8.20.040 · code text Subsequent registration and fees are due January 1 of each year and must be received no later than January 31 of the year due.
Registration fee	Established by a separate council resolution. Applies: Applies to a beneficiary or trustee registering a property found vacant or showing signs of vacancy after the owner defaults. § 8.20.040 · code text An annual registration fee shall be established by separate council resolution. Prorated for any partial year. Applies: Applies to a partial year in which a property remains subject to Chapter 8.20. § 8.20.040 · code text Registration fees will be prorated for any partial year that a property remains subject to Chapter 8.20 of this code.
Registration	Required. Applies: Applies to the beneficiary or trustee holding a deed of trust, when the inspection after default and before a notice of default finds vacancy. § 8.20.040 · 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 10 days of the inspection, register the property with the code enforcement, or his or her designee, on forms available from the city. Required. Applies: Applies to the beneficiary or trustee when an occupied property in default is later found vacant or showing signs of vacancy. § 8.20.040 · code text It is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy, at which time is deemed abandoned and the trustee shall, within 10 days of that inspection, register the property with the code enforcement, or his or her designee, on forms provided by the city. Required. Applies: Applies when the property was sold at foreclosure with title transferred to the beneficiary, or transferred by deed in lieu of foreclosure or sale. § 8.20.040 · 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 or sale. Required every year while the property is vacant. Applies: Applies to the beneficiary or trustee of a registered property, for as long as it remains vacant. § 8.20.040 · code text Properties subject to this chapter shall remain under the annual registration requirement and the security and maintenance standards of this chapter as long as they remain vacant.

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 Hanford?

City rule: the beneficiary or trustee registers within 10 days of the inspection that finds the property vacant or showing vacancy signs. City rule: the fee is set by a separate council resolution and prorated for a partial year; renew January 1, by January 31. City rule: an out-of-area beneficiary, trustee or owner names a local property management company, which does a monthly inspection. City rule: for out-of-area owners, post the local contact's name and a 24-hour phone number on a sign at least 18 by 24 inches. City rule: keep the property free of weeds, trash and debris, remove graffiti, and landscape yards visible from the public right-of-way.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Hanford property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Hanford

Hanford Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Hanford

Buying & selling in Hanford

Building on your lot in Hanford

Hanford overview