Fairfield · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Fairfield

Fairfield sets security and maintenance duties for any vacant building and requires registered vacant buildings to be inspected at least every 2 weeks. Foreclosure timelines and auction rules come from state law.

Ask about foreclosure & auctions in Fairfield See coverage

Key points

Notice sign: The owner posts a notice on the building front with the owner's and agent's name, address and phone, readable from 30 feet.
Inspections: A registered vacant building is inspected at least once every 2 weeks, with a written log copied to the city monthly.
Security: After an unauthorized entry, windows need intact glazing or resistance equal to 3/4-inch plywood, and the front door must work and be kept locked.
Boarding and fee: Boarding is replaced with secure doors and windows within 10 days of City notice; an annual fee set by City Council repays monitoring costs.
State timeline: State law: notice of sale comes at least 3 months after notice of default is recorded and at least 20 days before the sale.
State sale window: Under state law, a 1–4 unit trustee's sale is not final for 15 days; eligible bidders who give notice may bid within 45 days.

Each rule below is marked Fairfield 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

Fairfield code What Fairfield's code adds
Local contact	Post a notice on the building front with the owner's and any responsible agent's name, address and phone. Lettering at least 2 inches high, readable from 30 feet. Applies: Applies to any vacant building. § 27.1106 · code text The posting of a notice in a conspicuous place is required on the front of the building stating the name, address, and telephone number of both the owner and, if applicable, the responsible agent.
Upkeep duties	Keep the structure and electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems sound and safe. Get a City Building Division permit when repairs, alteration or modification are needed. Applies: Applies to any vacant building. § 27.1106 · code text A vacant building shall be maintained in a structurally sound condition. The structure and all electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems shall be maintained in conformance with the provisions of the California Building Standards Code that were in place at the time of construction and in a condition which does not create a hazard to public health or safety. Remove fire-hazard weeds. Do not store flammable liquids or other hazardous materials. Keep heating equipment to code, or remove it and end its fuel supply. § 27.1106 · code text Weeds shall be removed if they may constitute a fire hazard. No vacant building or portion of it shall be used for the storage of flammable liquids or other materials which would constitute a safety or fire hazard. Windows and sliding doors need intact glazing, or resistance equal to 3/4-inch plywood cut to fit, nailed with at least 16D galvanized nails or #10 x 3" galvanized screws, no more than 6 inches apart. Applies: Applies to any vacant building that has had an unauthorized entry. § 27.1106 · code text All windows and sliding doors must have either intact glazing or resistance to entry equivalent to or greater than that of a solid sheet of 3/4-inch plywood, cut to fit the opening, and securely nailed using at least 16D galvanized nails or at least #10 x 3" galvanized screws, spaced not more than six inches on the center. Doors and service openings with thresholds 10 feet or less above grade, or an accessible area, must resist entry like a closed 1-3/8 inch door with a 1/2-inch throw deadbolt. Applies: Applies to any vacant building that has had an unauthorized entry. § 27.1106 · code text Doors and service openings with thresholds located ten feet or less above grade, stairway, landing, ramp, porch, roof or similarly accessible area must be resistant to entry equivalent to or greater than that of a closed single panel or hollow core door 1-3/8 inches thick equipped with a 1/2-inch throw deadbolt. Close openable exterior doors from the inside by toenailing them to the door frame with screws or bolts. Applies: Applies to any vacant building that has had an unauthorized entry. § 27.1106 · code text Exterior doors, if openable, shall be closed from the interior of the building by toenailing them to the door frame using screws or bolts. The front door must work and be secured with a suitable lock, such as a hasp and padlock, a 1/2-inch deadbolt, or a deadlatch. Applies: Applies to any vacant building that has had an unauthorized entry. § 27.1106 · code text The front door into each building shall be operable. The front door must be secured with a suitable lock such as a hasp and padlock or a 1/2-inch deadbolt or deadlatch. Keep all locks locked. A door that cannot be made to work must be built of 3/4-inch CDX plywood with a lock. Applies: Applies to any vacant building that has had an unauthorized entry. § 27.1106 · code text All locks shall be kept locked. When a door cannot be made operable, a door shall be constructed of 3/4-inch CDX plywood and shall be equipped with a lock as described above. Keep the vacant building and adjoining yard or landscaped areas free of debris, combustible materials, litter and garbage. Applies: Applies to any vacant building. § 27.1106 · code text A vacant building and the adjoining yard or landscaped areas shall be maintained free of debris, combustible materials, litter and garbage. Promptly remove graffiti. Paint or finish exterior surfaces and boarded windows or doors. Maintain exterior and landscaping to prevent a vacant, unsecured, unsafe or fire-hazard look. § 27.1106 · code text Graffiti shall be promptly removed. All exterior surfaces, including any boarded windows or doors, shall be painted or otherwise finished to create a sufficient appearance of repair to deter unauthorized entry. Monitor the property regularly and report signs of criminal activity to the Police Department immediately. Applies: Applies to the owner or responsible agent of a vacant building. § 27.1106 · code text The owner or responsible agent shall monitor the property on a regular basis and report any signs of criminal activity to the Police Department immediately. Inspect the building at least once every 2 weeks, keep a written inspection log, and give the city a copy monthly. Applies: Applies to a vacant building that must be registered under this article. § 27.1109 · code text The owner or responsible agent of a vacant building which is required to be registered under this article shall inspect the building at least once every two weeks. Board the building when closing and locking doors and windows no longer secures it. Applies: Applies to vacant buildings. § 27.1105 · code text Vacant buildings shall be boarded when the building can no longer be secured against intrusion by the closing and locking of doors and windows. Remove boarding and replace it with secure locking doors and windows within 10 days of City notice. Applies: Applies after notice from the City. § 27.1105 · code text Within 10 days of notice from the City, the owner shall remove boarding and replace with secure locking doors and windows.
Registration fee	An annual fee, set by City Council resolution, to repay the city's cost of the monitoring program. Applies: Applies to an owner subject to vacant building registration. § 27.1108 · code text An owner who is subject to the registration requirements of Section 27.1107 must pay an annual registration fee to reimburse the City for the cost of administering the monitoring program.

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 Fairfield?

The owner posts a notice on the building front with the owner's and agent's name, address and phone, readable from 30 feet. A registered vacant building is inspected at least once every 2 weeks, with a written log copied to the city monthly. After an unauthorized entry, windows need intact glazing or resistance equal to 3/4-inch plywood, and the front door must work and be kept locked. Boarding is replaced with secure doors and windows within 10 days of City notice; an annual fee set by City Council repays monitoring costs.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Fairfield property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Fairfield

Fairfield Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Fairfield

Buying & selling in Fairfield

Building on your lot in Fairfield

Fairfield overview