Sacramento · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Sacramento

Sacramento's vacant structure rules apply once a residential structure has been vacant and unoccupied for more than 10 days. Foreclosure steps and auctions follow state law.

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Key points

Securing: Lock doors and windows and replace or board broken ones, for residential structures vacant over 10 days and commercial ones over 45 days.
Maintenance: Keep vacant building landscaping and exterior in good condition, remove trash and graffiti, prevent crime, and post the owner's name, address and phone.
First violation: A first violation of Section 8.100.1230 carries a penalty not to exceed $1,000 per building.
Repeat penalties: A second or later penalty may reach $5,000 if the building is still in violation 30 days after the first penalty.
Prior penalty: After an administrative penalty within two years for a different vacant building, the penalty is at least $2,000 and at most $10,000.
State timeline: State law: at least 3 months pass from the recorded notice of default to notice of sale, posted at least 20 days before sale.

Each rule below is marked Sacramento 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

Sacramento code What Sacramento's code adds
Upkeep duties	The vacant structure rules apply once a residential structure has been vacant and unoccupied for more than 10 days. Applies: Applies to a residential structure. § 15.52.020 · code text This chapter shall also apply to any structure that is designed and used, or is designed and formerly used, for residential purposes and has remained vacant and unoccupied for more than 10 days. Lock all doors and windows. Replace or board broken doors and windows. Close other readily accessible openings by boarding or another means acceptable to the city manager. Applies: Applies to structures formerly or presently designed for commercial use that are vacant over 45 days, and residential structures vacant over 10 days. Incidental storage does not exempt. § 15.52.030 · code text 15.52.030 Securing from trespassers. All vacant structures subject to this chapter shall be made secure from trespassers in the following manner: A. All doors and windows of the building shall be locked. B. All broken doors and windows shall be replaced or shall be covered by boards. C. All other openings into the structure that are readily accessible to trespassers shall be closed by boarding or such other means acceptable to the city manager. For purposes of this chapter "city manager" means the city manager or designee. (Ord. 2017-0049 § 1; prior code § 9.12.452) Maintain landscaping and plants, and the building exterior including paint and finishes, in good condition. Regularly remove exterior trash, debris and graffiti. Keep the building in continuing code compliance. Prevent criminal activity. Post the owner's (and any agent's) name, address and phone on the front of the building, in lettering at least two inches high, readable from at least 30 feet. Applies: Applies to active maintenance and monitoring of a vacant building. § 8.100.1240 · code text 8.100.1240 Maintenance and monitoring of vacant buildings. Active maintenance and monitoring shall include all of the following: A. Maintenance of landscaping and plant materials in good condition. B. Maintenance of the exterior of the building, including, but not limited to, paint and finishes, in good condition. C. Regular removal of all exterior trash, debris and graffiti. D. Maintenance of the building in continuing compliance with all applicable codes and regulations. E. Prevention of criminal activity on the premises, including, but not limited to, use and sale of controlled substances, prostitution and criminal street gang activity. F. The posting of a notice in a conspicuous place on the front of the building stating the name, address, and telephone number of both the owner and, if applicable, the owner's agent in control of the building. This notice shall have lettering not less than two inches high, and shall be generally readable from at least thirty (30) feet away. (Ord. 2007-060 § 2)
Penalty	Not to exceed $1,000 per building for the first violation. Applies: Applies to a first violation of Section 8.100.1230. § 8.100.1250 · code text any owner of a building that is in violation of Section 8.100.1230 shall be subject to an administrative penalty, in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per building for the first violation. Not to exceed $5,000. Applies: Applies to second and later penalties when the building is still in violation 30 days after the first penalty or in each later 30-day period. § 8.100.1250 · code text A second and any subsequent penalty shall be in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00). Not less than $2,000 nor more than $10,000. Applies: Applies when a previous administrative penalty was imposed within two years and concerned a different vacant building. § 8.100.1250 · code text any penalty imposed shall be imposed pursuant to Section 1.28.010(D) of this code, but in no case shall it be less than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
Registration fee	Set by resolution of the city council. Applies: Applies to the monthly monitoring fee and enforcement response fee for a vacant building that is also a public nuisance. § 8.100.1260 · code text The separate monthly monitoring fee and enforcement response fee shall be set by resolution of the city council.

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 Sacramento?

Lock doors and windows and replace or board broken ones, for residential structures vacant over 10 days and commercial ones over 45 days. Keep vacant building landscaping and exterior in good condition, remove trash and graffiti, prevent crime, and post the owner's name, address and phone. A first violation of Section 8.100.1230 carries a penalty not to exceed $1,000 per building. A second or later penalty may reach $5,000 if the building is still in violation 30 days after the first penalty. After an administrative penalty within two years for a different vacant building, the penalty is at least $2,000 and at most $10,000.

General information, not legal advice.

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