• The Accessory Structure Lot must be street adjacent to an occupied property and must be used for residential, recreational, or agricultural purposes.
• Accessory structures may include garages, sheds, gazebos, carports, or similar structures, with a maximum size of 750 square feet.
• Accessory Structure Lots will be sold for $250, unless the value of the lot, as determined by the DLBA, exceeds $2,500.
• The DLBA will hold applications for ten days from the date the first Complete Application is received before a purchaser is selected. If more than one Complete Application is received, the DLBA will prioritize buyers based on:
  1. The applicant living directly street adjacent to the Accessory Structure Lot; and
  2. The first applicant to submit a complete application.

Read our Vacant Land Policy here.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact a DLBA representative at [email protected].

• Oversized Lots must measure 7,501 – 15,000 square feet.
• Oversized Lots will be sold for $200, unless the value of the lot, as determined by the DLBA, exceeds $2,500.
• Oversized Lots must be street adjacent to the applicant’s occupied property.
• May not contain an accessory structure, including garages, sheds, gazebos, or carports.
• Limited to one sale per household.
• Purchasers must have a Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). As an alternative to having evidence of a PRE, property owners may demonstrate owner occupancy by submitting all of the following:
  • a copy of their valid state-issued identification with an address matching the address of the Applicant’s Occupied Property; and
  • a recorded deed showing ownership in the owner’s name.

Check to see if you have filed a Principal Residence Exemption (PRE): https://www.michigan.gov/PRE

Office of the Assessor: (313) 224-3035

Read our Vacant Land Policy here.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact a DLBA representative at [email protected].

What is the Neighborhood Lot Program?

DLBA-owned lots are available to nearby homeowners within 500 feet of their primary residence for small-scale beautification projects.

Program Requirements:

• Allows homeowners to purchase lots within 500 feet of their primary residence.
• Applicants must submit a plan for lot use (e.g., greenspace, urban agriculture, recreation, stormwater management, or wildlife habitats).
• Purchasers must have a Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). As an alternative, property owners may demonstrate owner occupancy by submitting:
  • a copy of a valid state-issued identification with an address matching the Applicant’s Occupied Property; and
  • a recorded deed showing ownership in the owner’s name.
• An applicant may purchase up to 3 lots per calendar year (January – December).
• $250 per lot.
• Sales include a three-year Compliance period; failure to complete the project may result in DLBA reconveyance of the lot.
• No delinquent property taxes.
• Requires endorsement from a registered Neighborhood Lot Endorser (NLE). Eligible organizations include Block Clubs registered with the City’s Department of Neighborhoods, DLBA Community Partners in good standing, or a Department of Neighborhood District Manager or Deputy District Manager.
• Lots eligible as Side Lots are offered as such for 180 days before Neighborhood Lot sale.
• No walk-backs allowed.

Read our Vacant Land Policy here.

If you have questions, please contact a DLBA representative at [email protected].

What is the Improved Lot Program?

The Detroit Land Bank Authority Improved Lot Program allows eligible homeowners to purchase certain vacant lots that already contain existing improvements connected to their occupied home, such as fences, driveways, gardens, pools, wheelchair ramps, decks, or similar features.

Program Requirements:

To be considered an Improved Lot, the property must generally:

• Be vacant except for approved existing improvements installed before January 1, 2020, or before DLBA acquired the lot
• Be associated with a nearby occupied residential home
• Be no larger than 7,500 square feet and no more than 300 feet on any side
• Be located in qualifying residential zoning districts
• Have no delinquent property taxes tied to the lot
• Not already be committed to another DLBA sales program

To purchase an Improved Lot, applicants must:

• Own and occupy the neighboring residential property connected to the lot
• Be current on Detroit property taxes, or in good standing on a payment plan for their residence
• Be in good standing with any existing DLBA agreements
• Most Improved Lots are priced at $250 per lot; lots with higher estimated values may be priced under a separate review process

DLBA notifies eligible homeowners when an Improved Lot becomes available. Lots remain in the program for at least 180 days. If not sold during that period, they may be transferred to another DLBA sales program.

Improved Lots are sold without ongoing maintenance or use restrictions beyond standard ownership requirements.

Some Improved Lots may be subject to additional rules if located in designated Land Review Areas or if outside agency approvals are required.

Read our Vacant Land Policy here.

What is Create-A-Project?

The Detroit Land Bank Authority created the Neighborhood Create-a-Project (CAP) Pilot to help community groups and land stewards transform vacant land into projects that benefit their neighborhoods, such as community gardens, urban agriculture, and other small-scale, land-based beautification projects.

Program Overview

This pilot program offers vacant residential lots at low cost to eligible organizations committed to creating and maintaining community-focused projects.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants must:

• Be a legally recognized entity (Detroit-based block club, community group, nonprofit, or LLC registered with the Department of Neighborhoods)
• Meet DLBA eligibility requirements
• Be active in the neighborhood where the project is proposed
• Submit a project plan for approval by the City’s Department of Neighborhoods

Note: If multiple groups apply for the same property, priority is given to the first complete application.

APPLY HERE: Create- A-Project Application

Eligible Properties

Properties must:

• Be vacant contiguous residential lots with no structures
• Be designated as a Neighborhood Lot
• Be 7,500 sq ft or smaller, with no side longer than 300 ft
• Have no unpaid taxes or blight violations
• Meet specific residential zoning requirements
• Not be assigned to another DLBA program
• Receive any required external approvals, if applicable

Pricing & Purchase Limits

• Cost: $250 per lot, with no closing costs
• Initial limit: Up to 4 lots per organization
• Additional lots may be purchased after successful project completion and approval

DLBA also provides:

• Free title search
• Optional title clearing service for $550

Project Requirements

• Projects must submit a plot plan design. Click here for City of Detroit BSEED requirements.
• Provide proof of residency
• Be completed and maintained for at least 3 years
• Maintenance must meet City standards
• Failure to comply may result in DLBA reconveyance of the property

Ownership Restrictions

• Properties cannot be sold or transferred within the 3-year period without DLBA approval
• Unauthorized transfers require repayment of proceeds, minus $250

If you have questions, please contact a DLBA representative at [email protected].

What Lots Are Eligible?

Listed Neighborhood Lots are eligible for purchase through the Create-a-Project Program.

To find lots available in your community group’s designated neighborhood, use the DLBA’s All Listings Map. Remember to filter your search by “Neighborhood Lot” as shown in the image. If you need assistance finding available lots in your area, please contact us at [email protected].

• Inclusive Housing Opportunity Areas: where home sales have averaged $100/square foot, or more, over the last year. These are areas where housing inclusivity is, or is likely to become, a pronounced challenge.

• Jobs and Amenity Development Areas: where publicly owned vacant lots account for a third or more of all parcels. These may create opportunity for the development of large-scale public or private Revitalization projects.

• Project Coordination Areas: where City planning, housing, infrastructure, economic development, or recreation agencies have formally requested that the DLBA coordinate sales in connection with planned or ongoing Revitalization projects that use DLBA properties.

• Project Hold Areas: where City Revitalization Offices have agreements in place barring or restricting the sale of DLBA property in that geographic area.

• Residents can access the map of Land Review Areas, here.

Read our Vacant Land Policy here.