Understanding Santa Barbara County Tax Sales & Auction Rules
Welcome to the official Santa Barbara County, CA tax sale directory on DP Listings. Tax sales in Santa Barbara County are conducted under local statutory regulations to recover delinquent real property taxes levied on land, residential structures, and commercial properties.
How Tax Sales Work in Santa Barbara County
When real estate owners fail to pay property taxes in Santa Barbara County, the County Tax Commissioner issues tax fi.fa. (execution) liens against the property. If these delinquent tax liens remain unpaid, the Tax Commissioner or Sheriff levies upon the property and schedules it for public auction.
Right of Redemption & Tax Deed Sales
In CA, tax sale auctions typically issue tax deeds subject to a statutory right of redemption. Under state law (such as Georgia O.C.G.A. ยง 48-4-40), delinquent property owners retain a 12-month right to redeem the property by paying the winning bid amount plus a mandatory 20% penalty premium. If the property is not redeemed within the 12-month period, the tax deed holder may initiate quiet title actions or bar the right of redemption to secure marketable fee-simple title.
