Land Reuse



The Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) owns thousands of vacant lots across the City of Detroit. To establish more land ownership opportunities for residents, the DLBA is proud to announce our newest land reuse strategies, and additional vacant land sales programs. Join the DLBA for panel discussions, spotlights on community partners, and resources for cost-effective land stewardship. Learn more about the programs below and check our website and Facebook page for available opportunities.

ACTIVATING

VACANT LAND


Click here to learn more on the Evolution of DLBA Lots.

Side Lots

  • Side Lots must meet a number of eligibility criteria, including zoning, taxes, demolition clearance, size, adjacency, etc.
  • Purchasers must meet several eligibility criteria including adjacency, home ownership, being current on property taxes and DLBA Compliance Achieved (if applicable)
  • Lots are still $100!
  • Eligible Side Lots will graduate to Neighborhood Lots after 6 months (180 days). See individual lots for graduation timing.

Sold without a Compliance requirements

  • Lots must be 7,500 square feet or less
  • Now allowing land contract purchasers to participate

Accessory Structure Lot

  • 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, with maximum size of 750 square feet.
  • Accessory structures 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.

Oversized Lots

  • 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 Lot must be Street Adjacent to the applicant’s occupied property
  • May not contain an accessory structure (garages, sheds, gazebos, or carports)
  • Limits sales to one 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.

Neighborhood Lots

  • Allows homeowners to purchase lots within 500 feet of their primary residence
  • 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.
  • An applicant can purchase up to 2 lots per calendar year (January – December)
  • Sales will have a three-year Compliance period, allowing the DLBA to reconvey the lot if the purchaser is found to be at fault for blight violations
  • Requires the endorsement of 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.

Read our Vacant Land Policy here.

Infill Lots - Coming Soon!

  • DLBA to sell vacant lots for the development of new housing
  • Targeted at 1-2 lot projects to create opportunities for local small-scale developers
  • Purchaser to provide a thorough project plan, including financing and design documents, which will be reviewed by the DLBA and City Planning staff
  • Developers of affordable housing units subject to monitoring by the City’s Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department for 10 years shall receive a discount of:
    1. 50% off of the purchase price, if at least 25% of the units are affordable to those earning no more than 80% of AMI; or
    2. 80% off of the purchase price, if at least 25% of units are affordable to those earning no more than 50% of AMI.

Read our Vacant Land Policy here.

For similar projects see New Build Opportunities.

Homestead Lots - Coming Soon!

  • DLBA will select bundles of vacant lots to be sold alongside certain homes via Own It Now, Auction, and Rehabbed & Ready listings. The lot must be either:
    1. Adjacent to a DLBA-owned residential property that includes an existing residential structure of 1-4 units, or
    2. part of a contiguous assemblage of Homestead Lots that are Adjacent to such a property
  • If a purchaser defaults on Compliance terms of the house, DLBA will have the right to take back title to Homestead Lots
  • Lots sold for $100 each ,in addition to the sales price of the bundled property.

Read our Vacant Land Policy here.

Land Review Areas

  • 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.

Type of Lots Available for Sale in each of the Four Land Review Areas

Type of Lot
Area Type Side Accessory Structure Oversize Neighborhood Homestead
Inclusive Housing Opportunity Yes2 Yes2 No No No
Jobs and Amenity Development Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes
City Projects Coordination1 Yes2 Yes2 No No No
City Projects Hold1 No No No No No
  1. The restrication on lot sales apply unless otherwise requested by the City departments or agency.
  2. The restrication on lot sales apply unless otherwise requested by the City departments or agency.

Buffalo Street Farm - Phase 1

Partners: Buffalo Street Farm   Status: Complete
District: 3   Neighborhood: Davison
Pipeline: Economic Development   Project Type: Agriculture
Number of Parcels: 4   Closing Date: 5/6/2016

Project Summary

Buffalo Street Farm would like to expand their farm and be able to provide more for their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), local residents, as well as local restaurants.


Land Based Project listings target community organizations or for-profit buyers that will activate vacant lots for agriculture, gardening, gathering space, or beautification. Some listings may include vacant lots and a house that can be used as a residence or workspace.


5003 Fernwood, Detroit, MI 48204


2903 Elmhurst, Detroit, MI 48206


Click here to view more bundles.

DLBA Disclaimer of Endorsement

Any reference obtained from this packet to a specific product, process or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the Detroit Land Bank Authority or the City of Detroit of the product, process or service, or its producer or provider.

Detroit Future City (DFC)

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Detroit Financial Empowerment Center

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Search for Property Address

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Keep Growing Detroit (KGD)

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Building Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED)

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FAQ

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Contribute to your neighborhood by endorsing purchases of Neighborhood Lots for acceptable uses consistent with City ordinances.

Eligible Endorsers include:

  • a local block club or a local neighborhood association, in each case registered with the City’s Department of Neighborhoods;
  • a DLBA approved Community Partner in good standing; or
  • Local City District (or Deputy) Manager

Click here to start the process and register with the City’s Department of Neighborhoods.

For more information about becoming an endorser contact [email protected]

Thank you for your submissions.

See our featured photos below highlighting the tremendous work of a City resident.


Check out our social media pages for chances to be featured on our webpage and social media platforms.

Be the force that drives CHANGE on your block!

Tutorial: How to Search for a Neighborhood Lot

Watch this quick step-by-step guide to search and apply for Neighborhood Lots online.

Click Here

FAQ: Neighborhood Lot Eligibility: who can buy?

This video explains the eligibility requirements for buying a Neighborhood Lot and answers common questions about the buying process. You can also learn more at the Land Reuse Webpage.

Click Here

Side Lot to Neighborhood Lot: Tips for Buyers

A BIG transition has occurred for the first time in DLBA history! 13,000 unsold Side Lots just graduated to the Neighborhood Lot program and are now listed for SALE! Check out the video to make sure you're ready to apply.

Click Here

Training: DLBA Neighborhood Lot Endorser Registration Form

Are you involved in your local block club or community association? Ready to become a Neighborhood Lot Endorser, where you will be able to help residents in Detroit neighborhoods expand their ownership? Check out this tutorial where we’ll review the registration form which provides policies and procedures for the Neighborhood Lot Endorser opportunity.

To request registration forms please contact us at [email protected]. To apply, your organization must be a Block Club, community association, or Non-profit Organization.

Click Here

Catch up on our Lunch & Learn Series

Are you interested in learning more about Land Reuse or acquiring DLBA properties? Looking for clarification on DLBA programs, or wondering what you can do with a vacant lot purchased from the DLBA? Our Lunch and Learn sessions cover these topics and more. Don’t have time to join during lunch? No worries!! Check out this video about how to access past recordings, so you never miss out! Or click the "Video" tab on our Facebook page and check out all of our playlists for more virtual event content.

Click Here

Navigating Neighborhood Lots

Are you looking for vacant lots near your property? Want to help transform your neighborhood? The Neighborhood Lot Program is just right for you. Check out the video below to see how you can purchase lots within 500 ft of your home.

Click Here

Taking on Land Based Ventures

Are you looking to take on land based projects in your neighborhood? Interested in projects combining the use of both vacant structures and lots? Having trouble identifying a site? Look no further, DLBA Marketed Properties are just right for you!! Check out the video below for Land Based Projects as well as proposal guidelines and plot plan instructions to help get started.

For questions and purchase inquiries, please contact us at [email protected]

Click Here

DLBA Lunch and Learn Session - Infill Housing & Development

Featuring Tekton Development

View Event Recording: https://fb.watch/3A3vIXcHKc/

DLBA Lunch and Learn Session - Stormwater Retention

Featuring Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, and Detroit Future City

View Event Recording: https://fb.watch/3A3olGQRCK/

Joe Louis Greenway Presentation

Featuring City Representatives

View Event Recording: https://fb.watch/3JhWPsfSKo/



DLBA Lunch and Learn Session - Vacant Land Policy

Featuring Side Lots, Oversized lots & Accessory Structure Lots

View Event Recording: https://fb.watch/3SnqRDRhBj/

DLBA Lunch and Learn Session - Vacant Land Policy

Featuring Neighborhood Lots & Endorsement Process  

View Event Recording: https://fb.watch/48S5WjmOiC/

DLBA Lunch and Learn Session - Vacant Land Policy

Featuring Infill Housing

View Event Recording: https://fb.watch/4JLNX2Di0R/

DLBA Lunch and Learn Session - Principal Residence Exemption

Featuring the Detroit Housing & Revitalization Department

View Event Recording: https://fb.watch/50a3ah_eEF/

DLBA Lunch and Learn Session - Vacant Land Policy

Featuring DLBA Projects Team

View Event Recording: https://fb.watch/5B6dKhG7BP/

District 3 Neighborhood Lot Presentation

Featuring Councilman Scott Benson & Staff




DLBA Lunch and Learn Session

Featuring Post Side Lot Graduation and Neighborhood Lot Program Re-launch

View Event Recording: https://fb.watch/72F4P8EIEU/

DLBA Lunch and Learn Session

Featuring Auction Program and Pipeline Process

View Event Recording: https://fb.watch/7ufp172CnX/

Events

New Events Coming Soon !

For assistance, or additional inquiries please call 313-974-6869, email at [email protected]