Introduction
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Potential buyers must register and submit a deposit for the 2026 San Diego County Online Property Tax Auction by Thursday, March 5 at 5 p.m.
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There are 686 tax-delinquent properties available for sale, including 70 improved homes, 66 unimproved lots and 550 timeshares, some with starting bids as low as $100.
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To bid, bidders must pay a refundable $1,000 deposit and a $35 processing fee; actual bidding will take place online March 13-18.
San Diego County, California – You still have some time!
People hoping to participate in San Diego County’s 2026 property tax auction must register by March 5 for a chance to bid on hundreds of parcels that are five years or more delinquent on taxes.
what we know
There are currently 686 properties listed for annual sale, ranging from commercial buildings and homes to hundreds of timeshares.
The auction is a “buyer beware” process and all sales are final, and if all minimum bids are met, the county will recoup approximately $18.2 million in unpaid taxes.
Previous coverage: Hundreds of Southern California tax-delinquent homes up for auction: How to register
To participate in the auction, residents must register on the official auction website, sdttc.mytaxsale.comand submit a $1,000 refundable deposit and a $35 non-refundable fee by Thursday at 5 p.m.
timeline
March 5 (5 p.m.): There are strict deadlines for bidder registration and deposit submission.
March 12 (5 p.m.): The current owner “redempts” his property to avoid the sale deadline by paying all back taxes.
March 13 (8 a.m.): Official online bidding begins.
March 16-18: Auction items begin and end every 15 minutes.
what are they talking about
Treasurer Larry Cohen emphasized that while the county is required by law to sell the properties, the sale is a unique opportunity for new owners.
“We have hundreds of properties available this year that could be excellent opportunities for prospective buyers,” Cohen said.
He also reminds potential bidders to do their homework because “most title companies will not insure the title to a property until one year after the tax sale deed is recorded.”
what’s next
After the registration window closes on March 5, no more bidders will be allowed to participate.
Successful bidders who win a property between March 13 and 18 will be required to pay the full purchase price within five working days of the auction closing.
what can you do
If you are interested in bidding, please visit Treasurer-Tax Collector’s WebsiteStudy the package. Since the sale is final, the County recommends:
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Research Lien: Understand that you are purchasing the property “as is.”
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Verify partition: Make sure the land or building can be used for your intended purpose.
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Check the map: Before committing money, confirm the physical location of the property using the provided lot map.
For information about the Riverside County Property Tax Auction, Tap or click here.
source
This report is based on information from the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office and the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, as well as the San Diego County and Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector departments.
