Contra Costa County Foreclosure Resources
Complete guide to the foreclosure process in Contra Costa County, California. Courthouse addresses, filing procedures, timelines, mediation options, and local legal aid — everything you need to defend your home.
Response within 24 hours
Foreclosure Type
Non-Judicial
Avg. Timeline
120+ days
Mediation
Not Mandatory
Population
1.2 million
Contra Costa County Foreclosure Timeline
California is primarily a non-judicial foreclosure state. The process moves outside the court system through a trustee — and it moves fast. Understanding each phase is critical.
When a Contra Costa County homeowner defaults, the trustee records a Notice of Default (NOD) with the County Recorder and mails a copy to the borrower. California law guarantees at least 90 days from recording to reinstate the loan by paying all past-due amounts plus fees and costs.
The trustee records and publishes a Notice of Trustee's Sale, posts it at the courthouse of the county and other public places, and mails it to the borrower at least 20 days before the sale. The notice sets out the date, time, and location of the auction.
Sales are held on a business day at the time and place stated in the notice — commonly at or near the Contra Costa County courthouse in Martinez. The property is auctioned to the highest cash bidder. The trustee may postpone the sale by public announcement.
After the Trustee's Deed Upon Sale is recorded, there is no statutory right of redemption in a California non-judicial foreclosure. Homeowners act before the sale — through reinstatement, modification, short sale, deed-in-lieu, or a court action.
Courthouse & County Offices
Contra Costa County Courts (Martinez)
725 Court St, Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 608-1000
Mon–Fri 8:00AM–4:00PM
Wakefield Taylor Courthouse (Richmond)
100 37th St, Richmond, CA 94805
(925) 608-1000
Mon–Fri 8:00AM–4:00PM
Clerk of Court
Contra Costa Superior Court — Clerk
Processes filings for litigated foreclosure-related claims in Contra Costa County. Non-judicial trustee sales operate outside the court.
County Recorder
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder
Sheriff / Sale Info
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office
651 Pine St, Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 646-2441
In California, non-judicial sales are run by the substitute trustee, not the Sheriff. The Sheriff's Civil Division handles the unlawful-detainer eviction and lockout after a completed foreclosure.
Is Mediation Available?
California does not maintain a mandatory statewide foreclosure mediation program. Contra Costa homeowners are protected through the Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR): a single point of contact, a dual-tracking ban, and written denial reasons. Local nonprofits provide counseling, but a trustee sale does not automatically pass through a court-run mediation.
Filing Requirements
- •Notice of Default must be recorded with the Contra Costa County Recorder and mailed to the borrower
- •At least 90 days from NOD recording before a sale may occur (reinstatement window)
- •Notice of Trustee's Sale must be recorded, posted, published for 3 weeks, and mailed at least 20 days before the sale
- •California notice and recording rules are strict — violations can support a wrongful foreclosure claim
- •A complete loan-modification application at least 37 days before the sale triggers HBOR dual-tracking protection
- •No right of redemption after the non-judicial sale is completed
Key Statutes
California Civil Code § 2924
Cal. Civ. Code § 2924
Governing statute for the California non-judicial foreclosure (trustee's sale) process.
California Homeowner Bill of Rights
Cal. Civ. Code §§ 2920.5, 2923.4 et seq.
Single point of contact, dual-tracking ban, and written denial reasons for borrowers.
California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 580b, 580d
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 580b, 580d
Anti-deficiency protections for most residential borrowers after a non-judicial sale.
Right of Redemption
California does not allow a post-sale right of redemption in a non-judicial foreclosure. In Contra Costa County, once the Trustee's Deed is recorded the home cannot be recovered by paying the sale price. Ownership is preserved before the sale through reinstatement, modification, a short sale, a deed-in-lieu, or a court action. A redemption right exists only in a rare judicial foreclosure (3 months or 1 year).
Deficiency Judgments
For nearly all residential borrowers, California bars a deficiency judgment. No deficiency is allowed after a non-judicial trustee's sale of residential 1-4 unit property (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 580d), and purchase-money loans on owner-occupied homes are protected outright under § 580b. Contra Costa homeowners should not expect a post-sale deficiency judgment.
Legal Aid
Bay Area Legal Aid
Free civil legal services for qualifying low-income residents, including foreclosure defense and loss-mitigation help.
Legal Assistance for Seniors (serving Contra Costa)
Free civil legal help for qualifying older adults, including housing and foreclosure-related matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop a trustee's sale in Contra Costa County?+
Because a non-judicial sale is not a lawsuit, you stop it by completing a loan modification, reinstatement, short sale, or deed-in-lieu before the sale, or by filing a court action in Contra Costa Superior Court for an injunction or other relief. Bankruptcy's automatic stay also pauses the sale.
Where are foreclosure sales held in Contra Costa County?+
Trustee sales occur on a business day at the time and place stated in the notice — commonly at or near the Contra Costa County courthouse complex in Martinez. They are conducted by the trustee, not the Court or the Sheriff, and are auctions to the highest cash bidder.
How long is the 90-day reinstatement period?+
California guarantees at least 90 days from the recording of the Notice of Default in which you can reinstate by paying all past-due amounts plus fees and costs. No sale may occur before this period ends.
Do I owe money after a foreclosure in Contra Costa County?+
Generally no. Section 580d bars a deficiency judgment against most residential borrowers after a non-judicial trustee sale, and § 580b protects purchase-money loans on owner-occupied homes outright.
Where can I get free help in Contra Costa County?+
Bay Area Legal Aid provides free help to qualifying residents across the county. HUD-approved counselors such as ECHO assist with loss mitigation in Contra Costa's cities including Richmond and Concord.
More Resources for Contra Costa County Homeowners
California Foreclosure Laws
Complete state-level guide to foreclosure laws, timelines, and homeowner protections.
Foreclosure Defense
Comprehensive defense strategies to stop or delay foreclosure in any U.S. county.
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