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Vacant Side Lot

Do you own and live in your house? If there is an undevelopable vacant City-owned lot directly to the side of your property we may be able to sell it to you.  
 

Requirements:

  • Lots for purchase must be approved by the local alderperson
  • You must own and live in the property that directly borders the vacant lot and the lot must border the long side of your property line
  • You must be current on all taxes and water and sewer bills and not have any outstanding code violations for any property you own in the City of Milwaukee

Costs:

  • Lots are typically priced at the assessed value for the land.
  • Approximately $500 in closing costs for the purchase
  • Additional property taxes that will be assessed with the addition of the extra lot
  • Municipal Service Charges (Storm Water and Snow & Ice Removal may appear on the Milwaukee Water Works Municipal Services bill)

Steps to ownership:

  • Call or email Tess Wynn at (414) 286-5838 or email [email protected].
  • The City will determine whether or not the vacant lot you request is available and eligible
  • The City will certify that you are in good standing with the City of Milwaukee
  • Once the sale is approved, we can begin the property transfer process.

Vacant side lots may be used for:

  • Garden, side yard or landscaped open space
  • Houses may be built on the vacant lot, and garages, sheds and fencing are also allowed
  • Permits will be required for any future construction or fencing projects

Note: Only lots without development potential are available. We must wait six months after a house has been demolished before we take a request to purchase the vacant lot. The Vacant Side Lot Program is not available for tax exempt purposes or in commercial areas.