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Vernon · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Vernon

Vernon requires the owner of any vacant property, not only foreclosures, to register within 30 days after it becomes vacant, and sets maintenance and security standards. Foreclosure timing and sale rules come from state law.

Key points

  • Registration: City rule: the owner registers within 30 days after the property becomes vacant; an additional 30-day extension applies to unforeseeable vacancy on written request.
  • Fees: City rule: annual fees set by City Council resolution, paid with the initial form and each renewal.
  • Local contact: City rule: the registration form names a designated local property manager or agent.
  • Security: City rule: keep entry doors and vehicle gates locked; repair or replace missing or damaged doors or windows within 30 days.
  • Signs and lighting: City rule: post legible No Trespassing signs at all entrances and at intervals of no more than 200 feet along the perimeter.
  • 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 Vernon 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

Vernon code What Vernon's code adds
Local contact
  • The registration form must name a designated local property manager or agent.
    Applies: Applies to any registered vacant property.
    § 8.58.050 · code text
    The name, business address, telephone number, and email address of the designated local property manager or agent pursuant to Section 8.58.070;
Upkeep duties
  • Keep exterior surfaces free of graffiti, unauthorized markings and visible deterioration that is an attractive nuisance or a health or safety hazard.
    Applies: Applies to the exterior and grounds.
    § 8.58.080 · code text
    All exterior surfaces of structures shall be maintained free of graffiti, unauthorized markings, or other visible deterioration that constitutes an attractive nuisance or a health or safety hazard.
  • Keep grounds free of dead, diseased or overgrown vegetation, debris, trash, refuse and fire hazards.
    Applies: Applies to the exterior and grounds.
    § 8.58.080 · code text
    Grounds shall be kept free of dead, diseased, or overgrown vegetation; accumulated debris, trash, or refuse; and any condition that constitutes a fire hazard.
  • Maintain or replace previously landscaped living vegetation with drought-tolerant landscaping.
    Applies: Applies when the property was previously landscaped or kept with living vegetation.
    § 8.58.080 · code text
    If the property was previously landscaped or maintained with living vegetation, that vegetation shall be maintained in a healthy condition or replaced with drought-tolerant landscaping consistent with the City's water conservation requirements.
  • Keep sidewalks, driveways, parking areas and walkways clear and in good repair.
    Applies: Applies to the exterior and grounds.
    § 8.58.080 · code text
    Sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, and walkways shall be maintained clear of obstructions and in good repair.
  • Keep structures weatherproof, structurally sound and free of health or safety hazards.
    Applies: Applies to structures.
    § 8.58.080 · code text
    All structures shall be kept weatherproof, structurally sound, and free of conditions constituting a health or safety hazard.
  • Keep windows, doors and exterior openings in good repair, properly fitted and able to be secured against unauthorized entry.
    Applies: Applies to structures on a registered vacant property.
    § 8.58.080 · code text
    All windows, doors, and other exterior openings shall be maintained in good repair, properly fitted, and capable of being secured against unauthorized entry.
  • Maintain roofing, gutters and downspouts to prevent moisture intrusion.
    Applies: Applies to structures.
    § 8.58.080 · code text
    Roofing, gutters, and downspouts shall be maintained to prevent moisture intrusion.
  • Keep structures free of pest infestations, mold and public-health risks.
    Applies: Applies to structures.
    § 8.58.080 · code text
    All structures shall be maintained free of pest infestations, mold, and other conditions that pose a public health risk.
  • Prevent unauthorized access. Keep entry doors and vehicle gates locked.
    Applies: Applies to security of registered vacant property.
    § 8.58.090 · code text
    All entry doors, including pedestrian doors and vehicular gates, shall be equipped with functioning locks or deadbolts and shall be kept locked at all times;
  • Secure accessible windows against unauthorized opening.
    Applies: Applies to security of registered vacant property.
    § 8.58.090 · code text
    All windows accessible from grade level or from any accessible structure on the property shall be secured with functioning hardware that prevents unauthorized opening;
  • Board up or otherwise secure missing, damaged or unsecured doors or windows. Repair or replace within 30 days.
    Applies: Applies to missing, damaged, or unsecurable doors or windows.
    § 8.58.090 · code text
    Any doors or windows that are missing, damaged, or unable to be secured shall be boarded or otherwise secured using materials and methods approved by the Director, and shall be repaired or replaced within 30 days of such temporary securement;
  • Post legible No Trespassing signs at all entrances and at intervals of no more than 200 feet along the perimeter.
    Applies: Applies to security of registered vacant property.
    § 8.58.090 · code text
    The property shall be posted with clearly legible "No Trespassing" signs meeting the requirements of California Civil Code Section 1008, posted at all entrances and at intervals not exceeding 200 feet along the property perimeter;
  • Keep exterior lighting on in parking areas and at entrance points from dusk until dawn.
    Applies: Applies to security of registered vacant property.
    § 8.58.090 · code text
    Exterior lighting sufficient to deter unauthorized entry shall be maintained in all parking areas and at all entrance points during all hours of darkness from dusk until dawn;
  • Keep fencing and walls structurally sound, without openings or breaches that allow unauthorized entry.
    Applies: Applies to security of registered vacant property.
    § 8.58.090 · code text
    Any fencing or walls shall be maintained structurally sound and without openings or breaches that would allow unauthorized entry.
  • File a written statement of the location, date and method of each securement within 10 days.
    Applies: Applies after securing or boarding any entry point.
    § 8.58.090 · code text
    Within 10 days of securing or boarding any entry point onto the property, the owner shall file with the Director a written statement identifying the location, date, and method of each securement.
Deadline to register
  • Within 30 days after the property becomes vacant.
    Applies: Applies to the owner of any vacant property, not only foreclosures.
    § 8.58.040 · code text
    Every owner of a vacant property located within the City shall register such property with the City within 30 days after the property becomes vacant
  • An additional 30-day extension.
    Applies: Applies to unforeseeable vacancy, such as tenant abandonment, death or incapacity of the sole occupant, or natural disaster, on a written request showing good cause.
    § 8.58.040 · code text
    the Director may grant an additional 30-day extension upon written request demonstrating good cause.
Registration fee
  • Annual registration fees set by City Council resolution.
    Applies: Applies to the owner of a registered vacant property.
    § 8.58.060 · code text
    The City Council shall establish, and may from time to time amend by resolution, a schedule of annual registration fees for vacant properties sufficient to offset the reasonable costs to the City of administering the vacant property registration program
  • Paid when filing the initial registration form and at each annual renewal.
    Applies: Applies to the owner of a registered vacant property.
    § 8.58.060 · code text
    The registration fee shall be paid at the time of filing the initial registration form and at the time of each annual renewal pursuant to Section 8.58.120.
  • A pro-rata refund of the unused part of the annual fee, not more than one-half of the amount paid.
    Applies: Applies when registration is canceled because the property became lawfully occupied within 180 calendar days of registration.
    § 8.58.060 · code text
    then the owner may apply to the Director for a pro-rata refund of the unused portion of the annual fee, not to exceed one-half of the amount paid.
Registration
  • Required.
    Applies: Applies to the owner of any vacant property in the city, not only foreclosures.
    § 8.58.040 · code text
    Every owner of a vacant property located within the City shall register such property with the City within 30 days after the property becomes vacant or within 30 days after the effective date of this chapter for properties that are already vacant at the time of adoption, whichever is later.

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 Vernon?

City rule: the owner registers within 30 days after the property becomes vacant; an additional 30-day extension applies to unforeseeable vacancy on written request. City rule: annual fees set by City Council resolution, paid with the initial form and each renewal. City rule: the registration form names a designated local property manager or agent. City rule: keep entry doors and vehicle gates locked; repair or replace missing or damaged doors or windows within 30 days. City rule: post legible No Trespassing signs at all entrances and at intervals of no more than 200 feet along the perimeter.

General information, not legal advice.

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