San Diego County Tax Auction Guide 2026

San Diego County holds one primary online tax auction per year, typically in March, through sdttc.mytaxsale.com (operated by Grant Street Group). The 2026 auction offered 686 properties — single-family homes, commercial buildings, vacant lots, and timeshares — with the potential to recover over $18 million in delinquent taxes. This guide covers the complete process: the registration window (opens February 16), the $1,000 refundable deposit plus $35 processing fee via ACH, the redemption deadline (March 12, 2026), the 5-day auction window (March 13–18, 2026), and the 5-business-day payment requirement. You'll learn how to research parcels through the SD County Assessor, evaluate timeshares (which make up a significant portion of inventory), check fire hazard severity zones for eastern county parcels, and navigate the quiet title process for SD Superior Court. County-specific contacts, deadlines, and California legal framework included.