Ventura County, California — Tax Sale & Surplus Procedure
Local operations layer. The legal framework (5-year power-of-sale clock, pre-sale-only redemption, RTC §§ 4674–4676 excess-proceeds waterfall, Tyler compliance, statutes, case law) lives on the parent page → california. This page covers how Ventura County actually runs it. Legal information, not legal advice. Last verified: 2026-06-02.
C0. Identity
- County seat: Ventura (City of San Buenaventura) · Population: ~843,843 (2020 census FIPS 06111)
- Recording unit: county (one of California’s 58 counties)
- FIPS: 06111
- Selling authority: Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) — exercises the statutory power of sale under RTC §§ 3691, 3698.5; the county does not use a sheriff for tax-defaulted property sales. Current Treasurer-Tax Collector: Sue Horgan. — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/
- Parent legal framework: california
C1. Local Tax Sale
- Conducts own sale? Yes — the TTC conducts its own statutory public auction of tax-defaulted property under RTC authority (see california module 1). Properties become subject to the power to sell each July 1 after a default of 5 years (residential) or 3 years (nonresidential commercial). There are no tax-lien certificates and no over-the-counter sales — only online public auctions via Bid4Assets. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (Ventura County Public Auction FAQs, retrieved 2026-06-02: “Each year on July 1st, the Treasurer-Tax Collector has the ‘power to sell’ properties that have been in default … for three years (nonresidential) or five years (residential).“)
- Platform / vendor: Bid4Assets — online county-tax-sales storefront at www.bid4Assets.com/county-tax-sales. Bid4Assets manages bidder registration and collects all deposits; the TTC office does not register bidders or accept bids directly. — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/current-auction/ (retrieved 2026-06-02: “The 2026 Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector Public Auction for tax-defaulted property will be held online at www.bid4Assets.com/county-tax-sales.“)
- Calendar / frequency: Annual sale. The 2025 auction ran March 7–11, 2025; the 2026 auction ran May 8–12, 2026 (Board of Supervisors approved the 2024 auction on December 10, 2024). The platform goes live with full property information and instructions by mid-March for spring sales. — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/prior-auctions/ (retrieved 2026-06-02: “March 7-11, 2025 Public Auction Results”; “December 10, 2024 Board of Supervisors’ Approval documentation”)
- 2026 auction: May 8–12, 2026 at www.bid4assets.com/county-tax-sales · 43 parcels offered · minimum bids ranged from $3,700 to$171,000 per parcel. — https://s48024.pcdn.co/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/05/2026-Public-Auction-List-Updated-5.8.26-1.pdf (2026 Public Auction List PDF, retrieved 2026-06-02: auction header “May 8-12, 2026”; 43 numbered line items)
- Redemption / payoff cutoff: Per the FAQ, “the deadline is 4:30 p.m. on [the last business day prior to the scheduled auction]” — the tax-sale information will not be finalized until close of the last business day before the sale (for 2025: March 6, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.); this is consistent with the California pre-sale-only redemption rule under RTC § 3707 (see california module 2). — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (FAQ: “The deadline is 4:30 p.m. on March 6, 2025, which is the last business day prior to the scheduled auction.“)
- Registration / deposit: Bidders must register on Bid4Assets.com and fund a Bid Deposit through Bid4Assets before bidding. “Bidders are advised to arrange for their deposits early.” The TTC office does not register bidders. The specific deposit dollar amount is set by Bid4Assets for each sale and was not stated in the county’s FAQ. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (FAQ: “Ventura County requires that bidders fund a Bid Deposit through Bid4Assets prior to bidding.“)
- Payment deadline: Full payment to Bid4Assets was due by 1:30 p.m. PT on March 14, 2025 for the 2025 sale (nine days after auction close). — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (FAQ: “Payment in full to bid4assets is required no later than 1:30 p.m. PT on March 14, 2025.“)
- Bid increments: Minimum raise is $100 per increment above the stated minimum bid. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf
- Minimum bid: State law floor — no less than the total amount necessary to redeem (all back taxes, penalties, costs of sale). A previously-offered parcel may be re-offered at a reduced minimum at the Tax Collector’s discretion. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (FAQ: “State law requires that the minimum bid … be no less than the total amount necessary to pay the back taxes on the parcel, plus costs of sale.”); see also RTC § 3698.5 (california)
- Tax sale mailing list: Email helpinghand@ventura.org to be added. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf
- Delinquent list location: Annual Public Auction List PDF published at https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/current-auction/. The 2026 list was available as a PDF at https://s48024.pcdn.co/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/05/2026-Public-Auction-List-Updated-5.8.26-1.pdf; prior year results at https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/prior-auctions/. — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/current-auction/ (retrieved 2026-06-02)
- Advertising: The tax sale is published three times in successive seven-day intervals in a newspaper of general circulation within Ventura County; the first publication date is not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the sale date. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (FAQ: “State law dictates that the event of a tax sale must be published three (3) times in successive seven (7) day intervals … with the first publication date being not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date of the sale.“)
- Deed recording: Tax Deed to Purchaser is generally recorded within three weeks of the sale and then mailed to the purchaser (usually within 8–12 weeks). The deed conveys all rights, title, and interest per RTC § 3712. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf
- IRS lien: The IRS retains the right to redeem for 120 days after the sale on any property with a recorded IRS lien. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (FAQ: “The I.R.S. has the option of redeeming, up until 120 days after the sale, any property on which there is an I.R.S. lien recorded.“)
C2. Local Redemption → framework: right-of-redemption
- Where/how to redeem: Pay all defaulted taxes, penalties, interest, and tax-sale fees to the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 800 South Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009-1290 before the pre-sale cutoff (4:30 p.m. on the last business day before the sale). Provide your Assessor’s Identification Number (map book, page, and parcel number) or property address and specify your desired redemption date for accurate penalty calculations. — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/redemption/ (retrieved 2026-06-02); https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf
- Local fees (state-set, applied locally):
- Delinquent penalty: 10% on unpaid installments
- Admin charge: $30 added if second installment is delinquent
- Redemption fee: $15 (added when property becomes tax-defaulted as of June 30)
- Monthly penalty: 1½% per month on unpaid defaulted taxes (accrues monthly after default)
- — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/redemption/ (retrieved 2026-06-02: fee schedule confirmed by county redemption page)
- 5-Year Payment Plan: available before the property reaches power-to-sell status. — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/redemption-5-year-plan/ (URL confirmed, content rate-limited on this pass)
- Redemption contact: Treasurer-Tax Collector — (805) 654-3744 · Email: HelpingHand@venturacounty.gov · 800 South Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009-1290 · Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM. — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/ (retrieved 2026-06-02)
- Deviations from state default: None identified. “If there are ANY unpaid delinquent taxes as of the close of the business day of June 30, then the property becomes tax defaulted.” — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/redemption/ (retrieved 2026-06-02). Ventura follows the California pre-sale-only redemption rule with no post-sale redemption of a tax deed.
C3. Local Surplus / Excess Proceeds → framework: surplus-funds
▸ For Investors / Operators — Ventura County conducts an annual online-only tax-defaulted property auction via Bid4Assets (www.bid4assets.com/county-tax-sales); the 2026 sale ran May 8–12 with 43 parcels and minimum bids from $3,700 to$171,000. Power to sell vests each July 1 (5 years for residential, 3 years for nonresidential). Full payment is due to Bid4Assets by 1:30 p.m. PT nine days after auction close; a Documentary Transfer Tax is added to the winning bid. The IRS retains a 120-day right of redemption on any parcel with a recorded IRS lien. No tax-lien certificates and no over-the-counter sales exist in California; the only path to legal title is winning the Bid4Assets auction.
▸ For Former Owners — Excess proceeds from a Ventura County tax-defaulted sale are governed by RTC §§ 4674–4675; the county must mail notice to all identifiable parties of interest within 90 days of deed recordation (RTC § 4676(b)). Claims are filed in writing with the Treasurer-Tax Collector (800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009-1290; (805) 654-3744; HelpingHand@venturacounty.gov); the one-year filing deadline runs from recordation of the Tax Collector’s Deed (RTC § 4675(a)). No dedicated excess-proceeds page or downloadable claim form was confirmed on the TTC website as of last verification — contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector directly for the current form.
- Governing law: RTC §§ 4674–4675 (see california module 3). The county does not retain proceeds above the amount required to pay taxes, penalties, and costs of sale; excess proceeds are distributed in the RTC § 4675 waterfall (lienholders of record → record owner). Excess-proceeds rights vest with the former owner and lienholders of record, not the county.
- Claim filing venue: Under RTC § 4675(d), claims are filed in writing with the county (Treasurer-Tax Collector / Board of Supervisors). Ventura County does not maintain a dedicated public excess-proceeds webpage or a published unclaimed excess-proceeds list on the TTC site as of 2026-06-02. (No standalone excess-proceeds page or claim form URL was located on venturacounty.gov/ttc — see needs_verification.)
- Claim form: No county-specific form URL was found on the TTC website during this research pass. Claimants should contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at (805) 654-3744 or HelpingHand@venturacounty.gov to obtain the applicable claim form, consistent with the SCO sample forms described in the State Controller’s Excess Proceeds Guide. (Form name and direct URL not confirmed from a retrieved county source — see needs_verification.)
- Local deadline notes: State law controls — excess-proceeds claims must be filed within one year of recordation of the tax deed (RTC § 4675(a)(1)–(2); see california module 3). The county must mail notice of the right to claim excess proceeds to all identifiable parties of interest within 90 days of deed recordation (RTC § 4676(b)).
- Unclaimed-funds list published: Not confirmed. The county’s auditor-controller publishes a separate “Unclaimed Property Tax Refunds” list for property-tax overpayments from reassessments — this is distinct from tax-sale excess proceeds. — https://venturacounty.gov/auditor-controllers-office/unclaimed-property-tax-refunds/ (retrieved 2026-06-02: “checks that remain uncashed for a period of more than six (6) months, typically resulting from property reassessments”). Whether a parallel public list for tax-sale excess proceeds exists — see needs_verification.
- Contact for excess-proceeds inquiries: Treasurer-Tax Collector — (805) 654-3744 · HelpingHand@venturacounty.gov · 800 S. Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009-1290. — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/ (retrieved 2026-06-02)
C4. Offices & Contacts
| Office | Name | Address | Phone | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treasurer / Tax Collector | Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Sue Horgan) | 800 South Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009-1290 | (805) 654-3744 · HelpingHand@venturacounty.gov | https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/ |
| Auditor-Controller | Ventura County Auditor-Controller (Jeff Burgh) | 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA | (805) 654-5000 | https://venturacounty.gov/auditor-controllers-office/ |
| Clerk-Recorder | Ventura County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters | 800 South Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009 (needs_verification — address not confirmed from a retrieved recorder page) | (Recorder) (805) 654-3665 · (Clerk) (805) 654-2263 | https://recorder.countyofventura.org/ (SSL cert issue prevented fetch; phone confirmed via TTC Related Agencies page) |
| Assessor | Ventura County Assessor | 800 South Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009 (needs_verification — address confirmed by county campus co-location but recorder page not retrieved) | (805) 654-2181 | https://assessor.countyofventura.org/ (SSL cert issue prevented fetch) |
| Sheriff / Civil Process | Ventura County Sheriff’s Office — Civil Unit | 800 South Victoria Ave, Hall of Justice, Room 101, Ventura, CA 93009 | (805) 654-2391 · sheriff.civil@venturacounty.gov | https://sheriff.venturacounty.gov/divisions/civil-process/ |
Note: The Sheriff’s Civil Process unit handles service of civil and criminal process and enforcement of court orders. The TTC — not the Sheriff — conducts tax-defaulted property sales. The Sheriff/levying officer would be involved only in judicial-foreclosure execution sales (uncommon in California — see california module 4).
C5. Local Procedure Notes
- Online-only tax-defaulted auction via Bid4Assets: Ventura County runs a single annual online auction; there are no lien certificates, no in-person bidding, and no over-the-counter sales. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf
- Power to sell vests July 1: Each July 1, the TTC acquires the power to sell properties that have been tax-defaulted for 5 years (residential) or 3 years (nonresidential). — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf
- Unsold parcels: If no acceptable bid is received, the parcel will be re-offered at intervals of no more than six years, consistent with RTC § 3692. Legal title can only be obtained through the TTC by being the successful bidder at a tax sale. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (FAQ: “If no acceptable bids are received … it will be offered again at intervals of no more than six years … pursuant to Section 3692 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.“)
- Documentary Transfer Tax: Successful bidders must pay the Documentary Transfer Tax in addition to the winning bid amount. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (FAQ: “paying the full purchase amount, including the Documentary Transfer Tax.“)
- Contaminated properties: The county posts a notice of known or suspected contaminated properties; the lead agency name and address where available information may be reviewed is identified in the auction disclosures. — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf
- Chapter 8 nonprofit purchases: A guide for nonprofit agencies to purchase tax-defaulted property under RTC Chapter 8 is available at https://s48024.pcdn.co/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/07/A-Guide-to-Preparing-Chapter-8-Purchase-by-Nonprofits-1.pdf — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/current-auction/ (retrieved 2026-06-02)
- No Ventura-specific ordinance deviating from the state surplus/redemption framework was located in the sources retrieved.
C6. Records Access
- Parcel / GIS search: County View GIS — https://maps.ventura.org/countyview/ (confirmed in the county auction FAQ as the primary county GIS tool; also accessible via https://venturacounty.gov/maps/countyview/). — https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf (FAQ cites this URL for identifying property locations)
- Assessor parcel maps: https://assessor.countyofventura.org/assessor-data/assessor-maps/ (Assessor parcel map page — SSL cert issue prevented direct fetch; URL confirmed via county mapping resource list). — https://venturacounty.gov/maps/ (retrieved 2026-06-02)
- Recorder / deed search: https://recorder.countyofventura.org/ (Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters — SSL cert issue prevented direct fetch). (Specific document search portal URL needs_verification — see below.)
- GIS data downloads: https://venturacountydatadownloads-vcitsgis.hub.arcgis.com/ — https://venturacounty.gov/maps/ (retrieved 2026-06-02)
- Tax payment portal: https://taxpayment.venturacounty.gov/webtaxonline/index.html (online secured and secured supplemental tax payment; confirmed by TTC “Pay Your Taxes” page). — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/pay-your-taxes/ (retrieved 2026-06-02)
- Superior court case search: https://www.ventura.courts.ca.gov/case-inquiry.html (for civil / quiet-title actions). — https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/related-agencies/ (retrieved 2026-06-02)
C7. Meta
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sources:
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Treasurer-Tax Collector home page: Sue Horgan, 800 S. Victoria Ave, (805) 654-3744, HelpingHand@venturacounty.gov, hours Mon–Fri 8–12/1–4:30, links to current/prior auctions and redemption
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/current-auction/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — 2026 auction: Bid4Assets platform www.bid4Assets.com/county-tax-sales, May 8-12 2026, 2026 Public Auction List PDF link, FAQ PDF link, Chapter 8 nonprofit guide link, GIS resources
- {type: gov_pdf, url: “https://www.venturacounty.gov/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Ventura County Annual Property Tax Sale Auction FAQs (PDF, 130KB): power-to-sell vests July 1; 5-yr residential / 3-yr nonresidential; Bid4Assets registration; deposit required (amount not stated); payment deadline 1:30 p.m. PT Mar 14 2025; redemption cutoff 4:30 p.m. Mar 6 2025; $100 bid increment; minimum bid = total to redeem + costs; publication 3x/7-day intervals/first pub ≥21 days before sale; deed recorded ~3 weeks after sale; Documentary Transfer Tax required; IRS 120-day redemption right; unsold parcels re-offered ≤6 years; RTC § 3692; RTC § 3712; mailing list via helpinghand@ventura.org; Bid4Assets phone 1-877-427-7387
- {type: gov_pdf, url: “https://s48024.pcdn.co/ttc/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/05/2026-Public-Auction-List-Updated-5.8.26-1.pdf”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — 2026 Ventura County Public Auction List (as of May 8, 2026): 43 parcels; minimum bids $3,700–$171,000; auction at www.bid4assets.com; current-auction URL for more information
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/prior-auctions/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Prior Auctions page: 2025 auction March 7-11 2025; Board of Supervisors approval Dec 10 2024
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/redemption/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Redemption page: fees (10% delinquent penalty, $30 admin charge,$15 redemption fee, 1½%/month); tax-defaults at June 30; call with AIN for payoff; phone (805) 654-3744
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://venturacounty.gov/auditor-controllers-office/unclaimed-property-tax-refunds/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Auditor-Controller unclaimed property tax refunds (distinct from tax-sale excess proceeds): covers uncashed reassessment-overpayment checks >6 months old; Affidavit To Obtain a Duplicate Check; contact vcptax@venturacounty.gov or (805) 654-3139
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://venturacounty.gov/auditor-controllers-office/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Auditor-Controller: Jeff Burgh; phone (805) 654-5000; Michelle Yamaguchi (Assistant)
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/related-agencies/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Related Agencies: Clerk-Recorder (Recorder) (805) 654-3665 / (Clerk) (805) 654-2263 / (Elections) 805-654-2781; Assessor (805) 654-2181; Auditor-Controller (805) 654-3181; court case search URL
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://sheriff.venturacounty.gov/divisions/civil-process/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Sheriff Civil Unit: 800 S. Victoria Ave, Hall of Justice, Room 101, Ventura 93009; (805) 654-2391; sheriff.civil@venturacounty.gov; handles civil and criminal process service; no tax-sale function
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://venturacounty.gov/maps/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Maps/GIS portal: County View at venturacounty.gov/maps/countyview/; GIS downloads hub; assessor parcel maps at assessor.countyofventura.org/assessor-data/assessor-maps/
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://venturacounty.gov/ttc/pay-your-taxes/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Tax payment portal: https://taxpayment.venturacounty.gov/webtaxonline/index.html; secured/supplemental taxes; all US only
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://www.ventura.courts.ca.gov/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — Ventura County Superior Court: 800 S. Victoria Ave, Ventura 93009 (Hall of Justice main); (805) civil division; case inquiry system; probate division
- {type: gov_portal, url: “https://venturacounty.gov/”, retrieved: 2026-06-02} — County home page: confirmed department URLs including TTC, Assessor, Clerk-Recorder, Sheriff
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needs_verification:
- Excess-proceeds claim form and direct URL: No dedicated Ventura County excess-proceeds page or standalone claim form was found on venturacounty.gov/ttc as of 2026-06-02. Claimants should contact TTC directly. Verify whether a specific form or public excess-proceeds list now exists. (Rubric row 2 — honest gap.)
- Unclaimed excess-proceeds list: Whether Ventura County publishes a public list of unclaimed tax-sale excess proceeds (distinct from the Auditor-Controller’s unclaimed property-tax-refund list) was not confirmed from a retrieved source. (Rubric row 2.)
- Bid deposit dollar amount: The FAQ PDF confirms a deposit is required through Bid4Assets but does not state the dollar amount; Bid4Assets terms for Ventura County were not accessible (HTTP 403). Amount may vary by sale year. (Rubric row 2.)
- Clerk-Recorder and Assessor office addresses / specific deed-search portal URL: The recorder.countyofventura.org and assessor.countyofventura.org domains returned SSL certificate errors on this research pass; street address (likely 800 S. Victoria Ave, county campus) not confirmed from a retrieved recorder/assessor page. Specific document search portal URL within recorder.countyofventura.org was not retrieved. (Rubric row 2.)
- Population figure: 843,843 is the FIPS 06111 2020 decennial census figure per the task brief; not verified against a retrieved Census Bureau primary source page. (Rubric row 2.)
- Prior auction history beyond 2025: Only the March 2025 auction is documented in the retrieved prior-auctions page. Frequency and dates of earlier sales not confirmed. (Rubric row 2.)
- Chapter 8 nonprofit purchase process: A guide PDF URL was found (s48024.pcdn.co/…Chapter-8-Purchase-by-Nonprofits-1.pdf) but not fetched as it is outside the scope of this pass. (Rubric row 2.)
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cross_links: california, right-of-redemption, surplus-funds, third-party-recovery-rules, treasurer-sale, tyler-v-hennepin-county, federal-tax-lien-redemption
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changelog:
- 2026-06-02 — Initial population (autoresearch wave 1). Verified against official Ventura County sources: TTC homepage (Sue Horgan, address, phone), current/prior auction pages, Auction FAQ PDF (power-to-sell, Bid4Assets platform, bidding rules, advertising, redemption deadline, deed recording timeline, IRS rule), 2026 auction list PDF (43 parcels, May 8-12), redemption page (fee schedule), Auditor-Controller (Jeff Burgh), Sheriff Civil Unit (address/phone/email confirmed), maps/GIS portal. No dedicated excess-proceeds page found — flagged needs_verification. Recorder/Assessor SSL cert issues prevented portal-page fetch; phone numbers confirmed via Related Agencies page. gap_score = 7 (all from row-2 honest needs_verification flags).
▸ For Investors / Operators — Ventura County conducts an annual online-only tax-defaulted property auction via Bid4Assets (www.bid4assets.com/county-tax-sales); the 2026 sale ran May 8–12 with 43 parcels and minimum bids from $3,700 to$171,000. Power to sell vests each July 1 (5 years for residential, 3 years for nonresidential). Full payment is due to Bid4Assets by 1:30 p.m. PT nine days after auction close; a Documentary Transfer Tax is added to the winning bid. The IRS retains a 120-day right of redemption on any parcel with a recorded IRS lien. No tax-lien certificates and no over-the-counter sales exist in California; the only path to legal title is winning the Bid4Assets auction.
▸ For Former Owners — Excess proceeds from a Ventura County tax-defaulted sale are governed by RTC §§ 4674–4675; the county must mail notice to all identifiable parties of interest within 90 days of deed recordation (RTC § 4676(b)). Claims are filed in writing with the Treasurer-Tax Collector (800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009-1290; (805) 654-3744; HelpingHand@venturacounty.gov); the one-year filing deadline runs from recordation of the Tax Collector’s Deed (RTC § 4675(a)). No dedicated excess-proceeds page or downloadable claim form was confirmed on the TTC website as of last verification — contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector directly for the current form.
Legal information, not legal advice. This page summarizes Ventura County tax-sale operations from the county’s own official sources as of the last_verified date. Procedures, dates, platforms, and fees change; verify against the cited county pages and the parent framework california, and consult a licensed California attorney before acting.