SAN DIEGO, CA - San Diego County Treasurer Larry Cohen announced bidder registration is now open for the 2026 online property tax auction. The auction site opened with a total of 686 properties for sale.   

“Every year our office hosts a property tax auction to sell properties that have been in tax default for five or more years. We make every effort to reach defaulted property owners so they can keep their properties, but we are mandated by the California Revenue & Taxation Code to sell properties that have been in default over five years,” said Cohen. 

“This year we have hundreds of properties that might be the perfect opportunity for a hopeful buyer,” continued Cohen. “Our online system makes it simple to research and bid on a variety of properties across San Diego County.”  

Properties in the 2026 Tax Auction include:

• 70 improved properties 
• 66 unimproved properties
• 550 timeshares

Anyone can bid during the online property tax auction from March 13-18th. To participate, bidders must register before March 3rd at the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s tax auction website, sdttc.mytaxsale.com. They must also submit a refundable $1,000 deposit and a non-refundable $35 processing fee (some parcels may require a larger deposit).  

“The County stands to bring in $18,200,000 in tax revenue if all the properties are sold for the minimum bid,” Cohen continued. “Potential bidders who want to receive email reminders about deadlines are encouraged to sign up for e-notifications at sdttc.com.” 

All sales are final, so this is a buyer beware sale. The TTC recommends beginning the research process on its website.  

Owners of the auctioned properties can still avoid going to sale; they have until 5 p.m. on March 12th to redeem their parcels and pay all taxes and fees owed. Before the sale, every effort is made to contact the owners of these properties to notify them about the impending sale.  

Click here for a video message from San Diego County Treasurer Larry Cohen on bidder registration. 

Click here to learn more about San Diego County Treasurer Larry Cohen: Get to Know San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen