Pasadena · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Pasadena

Pasadena requires the owner of a vacant building or lot to file a registration plan, valid 12 months, and re-register if it is still vacant. Foreclosure steps and auctions follow state law.

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Key points

Registration: A registration plan is required for a vacant building or lot. It is valid 12 months; then re-register if it is still vacant.
Plan contents: The plan names the party responsible for yard maintenance, with a phone number, and schedules repairs to boarded openings, yard care and graffiti removal.
Action plan: The plan must include an action plan to maintain the building and keep it free of trespassers.
Fee: The registration plan fee is $356 in the code; for later fiscal years it is in the city's general fee schedule.
Re-registration: Re-registration costs an additional $356 when the building or lot is still vacant at period end and the vacant building plan is not completed.
State timeline: State law: at least 3 months pass from the recorded notice of default to notice of sale, posted at least 20 days before sale.

Each rule below is marked Pasadena 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

Pasadena code What Pasadena's code adds
Local contact	The vacant building plan must name the party or company responsible for yard maintenance and give a phone number. Applies: Applies to the owner of a registered vacant building or lot. § 14.70.090 · code text A time schedule and plan for regular maintenance of the yard area surrounding the building, including the designation and telephone number of the party or company responsible for maintenance.
Upkeep duties	The plan must include a schedule to repair boarded-up or unconventionally secured doors, windows and openings. Applies: Applies to the vacant building plan. § 14.70.090 · code text A time schedule and plan of action to repair any doors, windows, or other openings which are boarded-up or otherwise secured by any means other than conventional methods used in the design of the building or permitted for new construction of similar type. The plan must include a schedule for regular maintenance of the yard around the building. Applies: Applies to the vacant building plan. § 14.70.090 · code text A time schedule and plan for regular maintenance of the yard area surrounding the building, including the designation and telephone number of the party or company responsible for maintenance. The plan must include a schedule to keep structures free of graffiti. Applies: Applies to the vacant building plan. § 14.70.090 · code text A time schedule and plan of action to keep any structures present free of graffiti. The plan must include a schedule to fix other public nuisances on the property, if any. Applies: Applies to the vacant building plan. § 14.70.090 · code text A time schedule and plan of action to remedy other public nuisances if such are present on the property. The plan must include an action plan to maintain the building and keep it free of trespassers. Applies: Applies to the vacant building plan. § 14.70.090 · code text An action plan for maintaining the building and keeping it free of trespassers.
Registration fee	$356. Applies: The amount stated in the code for the registration plan. For later fiscal years, the fee is in the city's general fee schedule. § 14.70.122 · code text A fee of $356.00 must accompany the vacant building or lot registration plan submitted to the administrator. Set in the city's general fee schedule. Applies: Applies to later fiscal years. § 14.70.122 · code text For subsequent fiscal years, the fee shall be designated in the city's general fee schedule. An additional $356 fee. Applies: Applies to re-registration when the building or lot is still vacant at period end and the vacant building plan is not completed. § 14.70.122 · code text If the building or lot is vacant at the expiration of any registration period and requirements of the vacant building plan are not completed, then the owner shall re-register such building and pay an additional $356 fee.
Registration	A registration plan is required. Applies: Applies to the owner of a vacant building or lot. It is valid 12 months, then re-register if still vacant. § 14.70.122 · code text A fee of $356.00 must accompany the vacant building or lot registration plan submitted to the administrator.

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 Pasadena?

A registration plan is required for a vacant building or lot. It is valid 12 months; then re-register if it is still vacant. The plan names the party responsible for yard maintenance, with a phone number, and schedules repairs to boarded openings, yard care and graffiti removal. The plan must include an action plan to maintain the building and keep it free of trespassers. The registration plan fee is $356 in the code; for later fiscal years it is in the city's general fee schedule. Re-registration costs an additional $356 when the building or lot is still vacant at period end and the vacant building plan is not completed.

General information, not legal advice.

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