Taft · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Taft

Taft requires the owner of a vacant or abandoned building to register it within 30 days after it becomes vacant or abandoned, and to pay a registration fee every year. Foreclosure steps follow state law.

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Key points

Registration: The owner registers a vacant or abandoned building within 30 days after it becomes so.
Annual fee: A registration fee is due at registration and every year after.
Sign: Post a weather-protected sign at the front, at least 8 1/2 by 11 inches, with the owner's and agent's name, address and phone.
Boarding permit: A permit is needed before boarding or securing openings unconventionally. It is valid up to six months, with one six-month renewal.
Maintenance: The owner must maintain and monitor the exterior and grounds, remove trash, debris and graffiti, prevent crime and trespass, and secure the building.
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 Taft 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

Taft code What Taft's code adds
Upkeep duties	The owner must actively maintain and monitor the exterior and grounds: keep landscaping in good condition, remove exterior trash, debris and graffiti, keep the building structurally safe, remove business signs, prevent crime and trespass, and turn off unneeded utilities. Inside, protect the building from damage and pests and remove trash and combustible items. Secure the building against unauthorized entry. Applies: Applies to a vacant or abandoned building. The director may modify or waive some requirements for a partly vacant or disaster-damaged building. § 3-4.3-10 · code text The property owner shall actively maintain and monitor the exterior of the building and the grounds so that they remain in compliance with all applicable codes and regulations, and do not contribute to and are not likely to contribute to blight. Post a conspicuous weather-protected sign at the front with the current name, address and phone number of the owner and authorized agent. If a notice of default or foreclosure has been recorded, also list the lender's contact information. Applies: Applies to a vacant or abandoned building. § 3-4.3-10 · code text The owner of record of the vacant or abandoned building is required to post a sign at the front of the building, in a conspicuous location protected from the weather, which provides the current name, address, and phone number of the owner of record and authorized agent if different from the owner. The owner-contact sign at the front of the building must be at least 8 1/2 by 11 inches. Applies: Applies to a vacant or abandoned building. § 3-4.3-10 · code text The sign shall be no smaller than eight and one-half inches by eleven inches (8 1/2" x 11"). End all utility service (electric power may stay on with a written waiver for security lighting, an alarm or rehabilitation work). Cap the sewer to prevent methane accumulation. Clean the interior of trash, junk, garbage, debris, solid wastes and personal possessions. Applies: Applies when doors, windows or other openings are boarded or secured by a method other than the original construction. § 3-4.3-12 · code text All utility service to the building or structure shall be terminated by removal of the meters and termination of electric power at the pole. Get a boarding permit before boarding or securing openings unconventionally. Valid up to six months, with one six-month renewal. Applies: Applies to boarding or securing openings other than by conventional original construction. § 3-4.3-11 · code text The boarding permit issued pursuant to this section shall authorize the boarding or other securing of a building or structure for a period of no greater than six (6) months from the date of issuance.
Deadline to register	Register within thirty days after the building becomes vacant or abandoned. Applies: Applies to the owner of a building that is vacant or abandoned. § 3-4.3-10 · code text The owner of a building defined as vacant or abandoned shall register that building with the planning and community development department within thirty (30) days after it has become vacant or abandoned on a form provided by the department.
Registration fee	Pay a registration fee at registration and every year after. Applies: Applies to the owner of a vacant or abandoned building (for example one unoccupied over thirty days). § 3-4.3-10 · code text A registration fee shall be paid at the time of registration and annually thereafter.
Registration	Required. Applies: Applies to the owner of a vacant or abandoned building, within thirty days after it becomes so. § 3-4.3-10 · code text The owner of a building defined as vacant or abandoned shall register that building with the planning and community development department within thirty (30) days after it has become vacant or abandoned on a form provided by the department.

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 Taft?

The owner registers a vacant or abandoned building within 30 days after it becomes so. A registration fee is due at registration and every year after. Post a weather-protected sign at the front, at least 8 1/2 by 11 inches, with the owner's and agent's name, address and phone. A permit is needed before boarding or securing openings unconventionally. It is valid up to six months, with one six-month renewal. The owner must maintain and monitor the exterior and grounds, remove trash, debris and graffiti, prevent crime and trespass, and secure the building.

General information, not legal advice.

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