Menifee · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Menifee

Menifee requires the new owner of a foreclosed property, or its agent, to inspect and register it within 15 calendar days of acquisition. Foreclosure timelines and auction rules come from state law.

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Key points

Registration: The new owner of a foreclosed property, or its agent, must inspect and register it within 15 calendar days of acquisition.
Annual fee: City Council sets the fee, paid at registration and annually until sale to a third party; later fees due July 1.
Inspections: The owner inspects on acquisition and re-inspects regularly, at least monthly if the property has not been abandoned.
Upkeep: Foreclosed properties must have graffiti removed or painted over, visible yards watered, mowed and trimmed, and pool and spa areas fenced and secured.
State timeline: State law: notice of sale comes at least 3 months after notice of default is recorded and at least 20 days before the sale.
State sale window: Under state law, a 1–4 unit trustee's sale is not final for 15 days; eligible bidders who give notice may bid within 45 days.

Each rule below is marked Menifee 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

Menifee code What Menifee's code adds
Local contact	Yes. Registration must include the name and current contact information for the owner's agent or local property manager, and an emergency contact number. Applies: Applies to the new owner of a foreclosed property, or its agent, registering within 15 calendar days of acquisition. § 5.20.025 · code text name and current contact information for the owner’s agent or local property manager, and an emergency contact number
Upkeep duties	Remove or paint over graffiti, tagging or similar markings with exterior-grade paint matching the structure's exterior color. Applies: Applies to foreclosed properties. § 5.20.030 · code text The property shall be kept 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. Water visible front and side yards as necessary or allowed; mow and trim grass and plantings; remove dead plants, weeds and trimmings. No broken concrete, asphalt, plastic sheeting, indoor-outdoor carpet or similar material in yards. Applies: Applies to visible front and side yards. § 5.20.030 · code text Visible front and side yards shall be watered as necessary (or as allowed); grass mowed and trimmed, planting trimmed, dead plants, weeds and trimmings removed; without broken concrete or asphalt or the use of plastic sheeting, indoor-outdoor carpet or similar material in yards. Fence and secure pool and spa areas as required by law. Keep water clear and free of pollutants and debris, or drain, keep dry and secure. Applies: Applies to all pool and spa areas. § 5.20.030 · code text All pool and spa areas shall be fenced and secured as required by law. Pools and spas shall be kept in working order so the water remains clear and free of pollutants and debris or shall be drained and kept dry and secured. Inspect upon acquisition and re-inspect regularly, at least monthly if the property has not been abandoned. Applies: Applies when the property has not been abandoned. § 5.20.025 · code text In the event the property has not been abandoned, the owner shall re-inspect the property on a regular basis, but not less than monthly
Penalty	A penalty set in the fee resolution. Applies: Applies to late registration-fee payments. § 5.20.025 · code text Late payments will be subject to a penalty determined in the fee resolution.
Deadline to register	Within 15 calendar days of acquisition. Applies: New owner of a foreclosed property, or its agent, counted from acquisition (at the latest the date the deed is recorded). § 5.20.025 · code text thereafter within 15 calendar days of acquisition of a foreclosed property July 1 of each year; received no later than July 31 of the year due. Applies: Applies to later registrations and fees. § 5.20.025 · code text Subsequent registrations and fees are due July 1 of each year and must be received no later than July 31 of the year due.
Registration fee	An amount set by City Council resolution. Applies: Paid at initial registration and annually after that until the property is sold to a third party. § 5.20.025 · code text the owner shall pay a registration fee in an amount established by City Council resolution
Registration	Yes, registration is required. Applies: New owner of a foreclosed property, or its agent, after inspecting it. § 5.20.025 · code text the new owner of the property or its agent must inspect the property as set out in division (B) below and thereafter register the property with the city as set out in 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 Menifee?

The new owner of a foreclosed property, or its agent, must inspect and register it within 15 calendar days of acquisition. City Council sets the fee, paid at registration and annually until sale to a third party; later fees due July 1. The owner inspects on acquisition and re-inspects regularly, at least monthly if the property has not been abandoned. Foreclosed properties must have graffiti removed or painted over, visible yards watered, mowed and trimmed, and pool and spa areas fenced and secured.

General information, not legal advice.

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