Lake County · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Lake County

Lake County sets securing and upkeep rules for the owner of any vacant structure, including a boarding permit. The county code applies only in unincorporated areas; foreclosure timing and sale rules come from state law.

Ask about foreclosure & auctions in Lake County See coverage

Key points

Boarding permit: County rule: apply for a boarding permit within 30 days after a structure becomes vacant, if it will be boarded by a nonconventional method.
Securing deadline: County rule: board up or secure the vacant structure to the specified standards within 10 days after receiving a boarding permit.
Boarding standard: County rule: if boarding, use exterior-grade plywood at least 5/8 inch thick, paint it the structure's predominant color, and end utility service.
Upkeep: County rule: the owner of any vacant structure removes waste, rubbish and debris from inside and the surrounding premises.
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.
State sale rule: State law: on 1–4 unit property, a trustee's sale is not final for 15 days.

Each rule below is marked Lake County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Lake County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Lake County have their own codes and their own pages.

Registering vacant and foreclosed homes

Lake County code What Lake County's code adds
Upkeep duties	Remove waste, rubbish and debris from inside, and waste, debris and excessive vegetation from the surrounding premises. If boarding: use exterior-grade plywood at least 5/8 inch thick, paint the barricade the structure's predominant color, end utility service, and post "Do Not Enter" signs at each entrance. Applies: Applies to the owner of any vacant structure. The County Building Official may waive electric service in writing. § 35.1 · code text Remove all waste, rubbish or debris from the interior of the structure; Board up or otherwise secure the vacant structure to the specified standards within 10 days after receiving a boarding permit. Applies: Applies after receiving a boarding permit. § 37.1 · code text The owner of a vacant structure must board or otherwise secure the vacant structure in compliance with Section 5-35 within ten (10) days of receiving a boarding permit. The owner must keep the boarding in a condition that complies with the article. Applies: Applies to property secured by the County. § 38.3 · code text The owner must maintain the boarding in a condition that complies with this article.
Deadline to register	Apply for a boarding permit within 30 days after the structure becomes vacant. Applies: Applies to the owner of a vacant structure that will be boarded or secured by other than the original construction method. § 37.1 · code text An owner of a vacant structure must apply to the County Building Official for a boarding permit within thirty (30) days after the structure becomes vacant.
Registration	A boarding permit is required before boarding or otherwise securing a vacant structure by a nonconventional method. Applies: Applies to a vacant dwelling or building that is boarded or secured by a nonconventional method. § 37.1 · code text No owner of a vacant structure shall install, place or maintain boards over the doors, windows or other openings of any vacant structure or otherwise secure such openings by a means other than the conventional method used in the original construction and design of the dwelling or building without having first applied for and received a boarding permit from the County Building Official.

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 Lake County?

County rule: apply for a boarding permit within 30 days after a structure becomes vacant, if it will be boarded by a nonconventional method. County rule: board up or secure the vacant structure to the specified standards within 10 days after receiving a boarding permit. County rule: if boarding, use exterior-grade plywood at least 5/8 inch thick, paint it the structure's predominant color, and end utility service. County rule: the owner of any vacant structure removes waste, rubbish and debris from inside and the surrounding premises.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Lake County property

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

Ask your question

More on Lake County

Lake County Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Lake County

Buying & selling in Lake County

Building on your lot in Lake County

Lake County overview