County Directory

California County
Tax Foreclosure Directory

Tax foreclosure sales in California are conducted at the county level. Each county's tax office manages delinquent property tax collections, conducts tax sales, and holds any resulting surplus funds.

5 Major Counties Listed
Tax Deed State

Showing 5 of 5 counties

Sale Type

Tax Deed

Redemption Period

5 years before deed sale (no post-sale redemption)

Surplus Funds Office

County Clerk / Treasurer

Los Angeles County

County seat: Los Angeles

10.0M
Sale Type: Tax Deed
Redemption: 5 years before deed sale (no post-sale redemption)
Surplus Contact: County Clerk / Treasurer
Surplus Funds May Be Available

San Diego County

County seat: San Diego

3.3M
Sale Type: Tax Deed
Redemption: 5 years before deed sale (no post-sale redemption)
Surplus Contact: County Clerk / Treasurer
Surplus Funds May Be Available

Orange County

County seat: Santa Ana

3.2M
Sale Type: Tax Deed
Redemption: 5 years before deed sale (no post-sale redemption)
Surplus Contact: County Clerk / Treasurer
Surplus Funds May Be Available

Riverside County

County seat: Riverside

2.4M
Sale Type: Tax Deed
Redemption: 5 years before deed sale (no post-sale redemption)
Surplus Contact: County Clerk / Treasurer
Surplus Funds May Be Available

San Bernardino County

County seat: San Bernardino

2.2M
Sale Type: Tax Deed
Redemption: 5 years before deed sale (no post-sale redemption)
Surplus Contact: County Clerk / Treasurer
Surplus Funds May Be Available

How Tax Sales Work at the County Level in California

In California, property tax collection and tax foreclosure sales are administered at the county level. Each county's tax office is responsible for collecting delinquent property taxes and, when necessary, initiating tax sale proceedings. The sale type statewide is Tax Deed, though specific procedures and timelines may vary by county.

County holds tax-defaulted property auction after 5-year redemption; minimum bid covers taxes, penalties, costs

Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County (2023), governments cannot retain surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure sales beyond what is owed in taxes, penalties, and fees. If your former property sold for more than the tax debt, you may have a constitutional right to the excess funds. The redemption period in California is 5 years before deed sale (no post-sale redemption).

Need Help With Surplus Funds in California?

AuctionBlock.org is a mission-driven company that helps former property owners recover surplus funds from tax foreclosure sales. Our fee is a flat $2,000, paid only if we successfully recover your funds.

Legal Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. County-level procedures and contacts may change without notice. The county data shown reflects the most populous counties in California and may not be exhaustive. For advice specific to your case, consult with a licensed attorney in California or contact your county tax office directly. AuctionBlock.org is a mission-driven company and does not provide legal representation.