FAQs • Pierce County, WA • CivicEngage

Do you have a list of tax title properties?: Most tax title property inventory consists of small narrow strips of land (5 ft. to 20 ft.) which are mainly beneficial to adjacent land owners. Some properties contain environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands or steep slopes. Potential buyers should understand that some properties may also have assessments and fees that need to be paid in addition to the tax foreclosure cost.
Current list of tax title properties

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Facilities Management - Tax Title Property

1. Who do I contact regarding foreclosures?: The Real Property Division does NOT manage the collection of property tax debt or foreclosure due to property tax default. Tax foreclosure questions must be directed to the Assessor-Treasurers office, Foreclosure Department: (253) 798-7133.

2. Can I just come in and purchase Tax Title property?: No. Pierce County must first determine if we, or another government agency, can use the parcel and if not, the Council must authorize disposal.
In most cases Pierce County must attempt to sell tax title property at auction before it is available for direct negotiation. Any tax title parcels not sold at auction are retained by Pierce County and once authorized, are available for private sale for one year following the date of the auction.

3. Do you have a list of tax title properties?: Most tax title property inventory consists of small narrow strips of land (5 ft. to 20 ft.) which are mainly beneficial to adjacent land owners. Some properties contain environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands or steep slopes. Potential buyers should understand that some properties may also have assessments and fees that need to be paid in addition to the tax foreclosure cost.
Current list of tax title properties

4. What if I am interested in buying tax title property?: It is highly recommended that you research properties prior to initiating the sale process and then complete the Intent to Purchase form.

5. What does 'tax title' property mean?: When property is foreclosed upon because of nonpayment of back taxes, the assessor treasurer attempts to sell the property at auction. If the property is not sold at the assessor treasurer's foreclosure sale, the property is retained and deeded to Pierce County under the status of tax title.