Pierce County council clears sale of tax-foreclosed land: 31 parcels auctioned, 14 moved to government use
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Summary
The Pierce County Council approved two resolutions on Sept. 23 to dispose of tax-title parcels: one to auction 31 parcels and another to transfer 14 parcels by private negotiation to government entities for public purposes.
Pierce County Council on Sept. 23 approved two related resolutions moving tax-foreclosed parcels out of county stewardship in separate processes: public auction and private negotiation for governmental uses.
Resolution R2025-197 authorized public auction of 31 tax-title parcels the county acquired through foreclosure proceedings. Council staff explained tax-title lands are held in trust for taxing districts and recommended auction since the county engineer determined the rights-of-way were not needed as part of the roadway system. The motion passed 7-0.
Separately, Resolution R2025-199 authorized disposal of 14 tax-title parcels by private negotiation without public bids when the sale is to a government agency and for public purpose, consistent with state law (RCW chapter 36.35). Staff said 10 parcels were identified for the county engineer’s future right-of-way needs, three parcels for Surface Water Management (floodplain mitigation and conservation on the Key Peninsula), and one parcel adjacent to land owned by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, which requested that parcel. For sales to government entities, staff explained the negotiated price will be the unpaid taxes plus recording fees — a transfer intended to make taxing districts whole while assigning maintenance responsibility to a public agency. Council adopted R2025-199, 7-0.
Council members asked whether parcels were buildable and how properties will be managed after transfer; facilities staff said five parcels were technically buildable (one with existing water service, four on Anderson Island though development there carries higher logistics costs). Staff also noted parcels transferred to public agencies may be held in tax-settled status or converted to fee-simple ownership depending on future use.
What happens next: Facilities and Planning and Public Works will execute auctions and negotiated transfers per the resolutions and coordinate with the requesting agencies on management and use of the parcels.
