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Monterey County, California Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List

Monterey County, CA has 1 tax-delinquent property on record. Get the official list, tax-sale schedule, and redemption rules.

Austin Beveridge

Tennessee

, Goliath Teammate

Monterey County, California currently has 1 tax-delinquent property on record, along with active foreclosures, liens, and probate filings compiled from public records. If you are searching for the Monterey County tax delinquent properties for sale list, this page gives you the live count, how to pull the official list from the County Treasurer-Tax Collector, how California's tax sale and redemption process works, and the due diligence to run before you bid.

TL;DR

  • 1 tax-delinquent property are currently on record in Monterey County, CA, refreshed weekly from public records.

  • Plus additional distressed properties (foreclosures, liens, probate) shown in the live breakdown below.

  • How to pull the official Monterey County tax-delinquent list, and how California's tax-sale + redemption process works, so you act on real, current numbers, not a generic explainer.

GoliathData currently tracks 1 tax-delinquent property in Monterey County, CA, alongside the wider distressed-property picture below, data current as of June 29, 2026, refreshed weekly from public records:

Signal

Properties

As of

Permit Filing

10

Jun 1

Property Auction

8

Jun 22

Code Violation

8

Feb 9

Preprobate

4

Jun 22

Probate

3

Jun 29

Lien

1

Jun 22

Lien Sale

1

May 25

Lis Pendens

1

Jun 15

Notice Of Default

1

Apr 27

State Lien

1

Jun 8

Source: GoliathData real-time county records. Refreshed weekly.

What these numbers mean for buyers and investors

Monterey County currently has 1 tax-delinquent property on record as of early June 2026. While this is a small number in absolute terms, the broader distress signals across the county paint a more complete picture of opportunity and risk.

The county's property market is showing scattered but real stress. In the same period, there is 1 foreclosure, 1 notice of default, 1 trustee sale, and 3 properties in probate. Code violations number 8, and permit filings total 10 for the week ending June 1. Additionally, there are multiple liens on file: 1 judgment lien, 1 state lien, 1 federal lien, and 1 general lien, along with 1 lien sale already underway.

For a buyer or investor, this mix means opportunity exists but requires careful targeting. The single tax-delinquent property represents the most direct path to acquisition at a county-run sale, where pricing begins at unpaid taxes plus costs and bidders compete openly. However, the presence of liens, probate cases, and foreclosure activity suggests that many distressed properties in Monterey County are being resolved through other channels: estate settlements, federal or state claims, or lender actions. This can reduce competition at tax sales but also means that due diligence is critical. A property with a tax lien is often junior to a federal tax lien or a probate claim, and title clarity may require court action or negotiation.

The volume of code violations (8) and the ongoing permit activity (10) indicate that regulatory and compliance issues are present in the county. These can affect property value, insurability, and the timeline to occupancy or resale. Investors should expect to budget for remediation or be prepared to hold longer for return on investment.

Overall, Monterey County's tax-delinquent market is thin but active. Competition for the 1 property currently in tax delinquency may be low, but successful acquisition depends on understanding the county's specific redemption rules, lien hierarchy, and title status before bidding.

How to get the official Monterey County tax-delinquent list

The County Treasurer-Tax Collector is the authoritative source for all tax-delinquent properties and the administrator of tax sales in Monterey County.

To obtain the official list:

  • Contact the Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector directly by phone, mail, or in person at the county offices. Their public counter can provide printed or digital lists of properties that have failed to pay property taxes.

  • Request the current tax-delinquent roll. This document lists all properties where taxes remain unpaid after the applicable notice and demand period.

  • Ask when the next tax sale is scheduled and whether your property of interest appears on the list.

  • Inquire about the county's online portal or website. Many California counties now post delinquent lists and auction schedules on their treasurer's website for public access.

  • If you are looking at a specific parcel, provide the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) to the Treasurer-Tax Collector's office. This will give you the fastest answer about delinquency status and sale timing.

The Treasurer-Tax Collector updates these lists regularly as properties are redeemed, auctioned, or removed from the roll. Contact the office to confirm how frequently updates occur and whether you can subscribe to notifications about upcoming sales.

How California's tax sale and redemption process works

California's tax sale system is statutory and uniform across all counties, including Monterey. Understanding the sequence is essential before bidding.

The process begins when a property owner fails to pay property taxes by the due date. The County Treasurer-Tax Collector issues a notice of delinquency and a demand for payment. If the owner does not pay within a specified period, the property enters the tax-delinquent roll.

Before a tax sale can occur, the county must publish notice of the impending sale in a public newspaper, typically for several weeks. This notice includes the property address, the APN, the amount of unpaid taxes, and the sale date. The exact timeline and notice period are set by state law and county procedure; you should confirm these details with the Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector because the length of publication and the sale date depend on the county's calendar and the date the tax bill was declared delinquent.

On the sale date, the county auctions the property. The opening bid is the total amount of unpaid taxes, penalties, costs, and accrued interest. Bidders compete, and the property sells to the highest bidder. Payment is typically due immediately or within a few days.

California law grants the property owner a redemption right. This is a critical point: after the tax sale, the former owner can reclaim the property by paying the winning bid amount plus additional costs and interest within a set redemption period. In California, the redemption period is typically one year, but the exact length depends on the county's specific procedures and any special circumstances. You must confirm the redemption period with the Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector before purchasing at a tax sale, because if the original owner redeems, your ownership reverts and you recover only your bid amount.

If the redemption period expires without redemption, you receive a tax deed and take full ownership. If the property is redeemed, the process ends and the original owner retains title.

In Monterey County, any liens recorded against the property before the tax sale (such as federal tax liens, state liens, or judgment liens) may survive the sale or may be eliminated depending on their priority and the redemption outcome. The County Treasurer-Tax Collector can clarify lien priority for a specific property.

Due diligence and risks

Purchasing a tax-delinquent property requires investigation beyond the auction details.

Title and liens are the first concern. Before bidding, obtain a preliminary title report from a title company. This will show all recorded liens, judgments, and encumbrances. A federal tax lien, state tax lien, or judgment lien may be senior to the tax sale and may continue to bind the property even after you purchase it. You could become the owner but still owe money to the IRS, the State of California, or a judgment creditor. Ask the title company and the Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector which liens will be cleared by the tax sale and which will survive.

Occupancy and condition are often unknown. Tax-delinquent properties may be abandoned, occupied by tenants or the owner, or in poor repair. A property inspection before bidding is highly advisable. Check whether the home is habitable, whether it has code violations (8 code violations were recorded in the county recently), and whether any permits are pending. The county's code enforcement and planning departments can provide this information.

Redemption risk is substantial. If the original owner or a creditor redeems the property after you purchase it, you lose ownership and receive only a refund of your bid. This is not a loss of money, but it is a loss of the property and the time invested. Plan for the possibility of redemption, especially if the redemption period is long.

Possession and eviction may be required. If an occupant does not vacate after the redemption period expires, you may need to file an unlawful detainer action in court. This adds time and legal cost. Verify the occupancy status before bidding.

Finally, review all liens and claims documented in the county records. The presence of a judgment lien, state lien, federal lien, or probate claim can cloud title and require negotiation or court action to clear. The 1 general lien, 1 state lien, 1 federal lien, and 1 judgment lien active in Monterey County illustrate that lien complexity is present here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find and access the Monterey County tax-delinquent list?

Contact the Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector directly. They maintain the official tax-delinquent roll and can provide you with a current list or information about specific properties. Many counties also publish this list online on the treasurer's website. Request the list by parcel number or address, and ask about the county's notification system for upcoming sales.

When is the next tax sale scheduled in Monterey County?

The exact date and schedule depend on when properties are declared delinquent and when the county publishes notice. The Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector sets and announces tax sale dates well in advance to comply with state notice requirements. Contact the office directly to confirm the next scheduled sale date and whether your property of interest is included.

What is the redemption period in California, and how does it apply in Monterey County?

California law allows property owners to redeem their property after a tax sale by paying the winning bid plus costs and interest. The redemption period is typically one year, but the specific length and terms in Monterey County should be confirmed with the County Treasurer-Tax Collector. If redemption occurs during this period, you lose the property and receive a refund of your bid. If the period expires without redemption, you receive a tax deed and full ownership.

Is buying a tax-delinquent property worth it in Monterey County?

Tax-delinquent properties can offer value, but success depends on the specific property, the lien situation, the redemption period, and the condition and occupancy status. With only 1 tax-delinquent property currently on the Monterey County roll, competition may be low, which can be favorable to a buyer. However, the presence of multiple liens, foreclosures, and probate cases in the county suggests that due diligence is essential. Obtain a title report, inspect the property, confirm the redemption risk, and verify that no senior liens or claims will persist after purchase. If these factors are acceptable, tax sales can be profitable; if not, the risks outweigh the opportunity.

More California Tax Delinquent Property Lists

Browse the full California tax delinquent properties for sale list for every county, or jump straight to a nearby list:

Sources