Show All Answers

1. What is the date and location of the sale?

Visit our Current Tax Land Sale page for the most upcoming sale dates. The sale is held in the:

Planning Commission Hearing Room
Community Development Resource Center
3091 County Center Drive
Auburn, CA 95603
View map (PDF)

Tax Collector's Office

From Sacramento, take Interstate 80 East to Auburn, exit Bell Road, turn left on Bell Road. Follow Bell Road approximately three miles, go through the intersection with Highway 49 and left on Richardson Drive. The Tax Collector is in the two story, red brick "Finance - Administration" building on the left side of the street. Our physical address is 2976 Richardson Drive, we are located on the second floor.

County Departments

The addresses and phone numbers of frequently requested County Departments have been provided below for your convenience.

Assessor
2980 Richardson Drive
2nd Floor
Auburn, CA 95603-2640
Phone: 530-889-4300

Planning Department
3091 County Center Drive
Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: 530-745-3000

Building Department
3091 County Center Drive
Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: 530-745-3010

Public Works
3091 County Center Drive
Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: 530-745-7500

County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar
2954 Richardson Drive
1st Floor
Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: 530-886-5600

Treasurer-Tax Collector
2976 Richardson Drive
2nd Floor
Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: 530-889-4120

Environmental Health
3091 County Center Drive
Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: 530-745-2300

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
128 Market Street
Stateline, NV 89449
Phone: 775-588-4547

2. When and where is the sale advertised?

The sale is advertised in a newspaper published in the county seat (Auburn) approximately three weeks before the sale, as well as on our website at Land Sale.

3. How and when do I register for the tax sale?

Registration begins at 8 a.m. the day of the sale. The sale begins at 9 a.m. Registration forms will be available at the registration desk on the morning of the sale at:

Planning Commission Hearing Room
Community Development Resource Center
3091 County Center Drive
Auburn, CA 95603

4. What are the payment requirements at the sale?

A $500 refundable deposit is required when you register (cash or cashier's check). If a bidder is successful in the purchase of a property, the $500 cash deposit will be applied to the purchase price. Unsuccessful bidders will be refunded their deposit at the conclusion of the sale. All sales require full payment, which includes the transfer tax and recording fee. 

At the tax collector's discretion, purchases over $5,000 may be paid for on a credit payment plan; however, 10% of the bid or $5,000, whichever is greater, is required to be deposited at the time of the sale. The balance is payable in lawful money of the United States or negotiable paper, as specified by the tax collector, within a period specified by the tax collector, not to exceed 90 days from the date of the auction, as a condition precedent to the transfer of title to the purchaser. If the balance due is not paid within the period specified, the deposit is forfeited, along with all rights with respect to the property (§3693.1). Personal checks will not be accepted. All cashier's checks must be made payable to the Placer County Tax Collector. 

If you need additional funds after winning a bid, you have up to on (1) hour after the close of the auction to go to a bank and return. There is a list of area banks listed on the main Tax Land Sale website: https://www.placer.ca.gov/1427/Tax-Land-Sale   

For more information, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 530-889-4120.

5. What is the bidding process?

Public auction. You must be present to bid. For further questions, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 530-889-4120.

6. What type of document is issued at the sale?

Receipt at time of sale. A tax deed is forwarded to the successful bidder after payment is made in full. Contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 530-889-4120 for more information.

7. Are there any other expenses in addition to the cost of the lien?

Normally, recording fees and transfer tax. Contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 530-889-4120 for more information.

8. What are the foreclosure and eviction processes and will the county handle these processes for a fee?

No, the county does not handle the foreclosure or the eviction process. The property is sold "as is" and buyers assume all ownership responsibilities. Contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 530-889-4120 for more information.

9. What happens to the properties that are not sold at the Tax Land Sale?

The property will be offered at a subsequent sale if not redeemed sooner. Contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 530-889-4120 for more information.

10. Do you allow individuals to purchase Tax Lien Certificates?

The county does not currently sell tax lien certificates.

11. If I am unable to attend the public auction, can I purchase property via mail, phone or fax? Can I send a representative to the sale to bid for me?

You must be present to bid. The County will not accept bids via mail, phone or fax. If you wish to register/vest and bid/purchase on behalf of another party (a public agency, company, corporation, partnership, LLC, trust, or individual), notarized copies of documentation that give you the authority to represent said party are required at time of registration. Contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 530-889-4120 for more information.

12. What if I have questions and cannot find the answers online?

Questions can be directed to our office in a variety of ways:

2976 Richardson Drive
2nd Floor
Auburn, CA 95603

Phone: 530-889-4127 or 530-889-4129
Email the Treasurer-Tax Collector

Mail inquiries to:
Placer County Tax Collector
2976 Richardson Drive
Auburn, CA 95603

13. How may I obtain a copy of the statutes regarding tax sales in your jurisdiction?

The California State statutes are available at your public library or online.

14. Do liens or encumbrances on a tax-defaulted property transfer to the new owner after purchase of the property at a tax sale?

A tax deed to the purchaser conveys title free of most encumbrances existing before the sale (e.g. Deed of Trust, mechanics liens, judgments, as well as all prior delinquent taxes.). Those encumbrances which continue, primarily liens of special assessments and easements, are described in Section Number 3712 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. Contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 530-889-4120 for more information.

15. Is there any reason the tax sale may be postponed?

Yes, the tax-defaulted land sale may be postponed due to public calamity, illness of staff personnel, inclement weather or other events that may occur on the date of the sale. The right of redemption is automatically extended to the close of business on the last business day prior to the new sale date. Contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 530-889-4120 for more information.

16. What about Excess Proceeds? Am I eligible?

Excess Proceeds will be held in trust and Parties of Interest, as defined by Revenue and Taxation Code section 4675, will be notified and may file a claim for excess proceeds up to one year from the recordation of the tax deed to the purchaser. Parties of interest and their order of priority, per Code Section 4675, are:

1. First, lienholders of record prior to the recordation of the tax deed to the purchaser in the order of their priority; and
2. Then, any person with title of record to all or any portion of the property prior to the recordation of the tax deed to the purchaser.

The final excess proceeds amounts will be less due to costs and fees associated with the excess proceeds process. If you are a Party of Interest, you will receive notification from our office after the Tax-Defaulted Land sale. If you do not receive said notification within 90 days from the recordation of the tax deed to the purchaser, and have documentation you are a Party of Interest, please contact our office at 530-889-4129. Requests for information regarding Excess Proceeds may be obtained by submitting a written request by mail to our office or email the Treasurer-Tax Collector.