How many vacant lots does the City of Chicago own?

The City owns approximately 10,000 parcels of land, mostly on the south and west sides. Much of the land has been in City inventory since the early 1980s. The City has acquired land through the foreclosure of demolition liens, the Cook County tax scavenger sale, property condemnation, and sometimes direct purchase.  

You can see all City-owned land in the City's inventory via the open data portal. Beginning April 1, 2024, a map of listed properties will be accessible via the ChiBlockBuilder home page.

How do I know whether a vacant lot is owned by the City or someone else?

Land owned by the City is recorded in the City's open data portal. Vacant surplus land can be visualized using the City-owned vacant land map.

If you do not see a vacant lot in the data portal, you can assume that it is not owned by the City of Chicago. The City of Chicago does not collect information about private vacant lot ownership. The Cook County Clerk's Recordings Division accurately records, stores and maintains land records and other official documents.

How can I report a problem with a vacant lot in my neighborhood?

If there is a problem with a vacant lot in your neighborhood, please submit a 311 request at 311.chicago.gov. The Department of Streets and Sanitation handles issues on vacant land such as high weeds, presence of trash and debris, and fly dumping.

I have a question about property taxes on a property I own.

The Cook County Treasurer's Office is responsible for the collection of property taxes from property owners in Chicago. Visit their website for more information on what you owe and how to pay your bill.

How does ChiBlockBuilder differ from previous land sale programs?

ChiBlockBuilder replaces all of the City’s land sale programs with a universal application process. The online portal includes an interactive map of available properties, pricing information, and a digital submission process that will foster infill development and open space projects within local neighborhoods.

How does the City decide which properties to sell?

Available properties are being offered in support of existing neighborhood planning goals based on environmental conditions, location, and input from the public and elected officials.

If a parcel of interest is currently not available for sale, it may be available in future rounds. Interested applicants can request notification about future availability through the online portal.

What does it mean if a parcel is "Not for sale at this time due to: Requires Further Environmental Review Needed"?

The City of Chicago has performed a limited environmental review of various internal files and other publicly available records for the vacant lots available for sale through this program. Land has been categorized as either:

• “Available for Sale Pending Updated Environmental Review,” which means the City’s most recent environmental review either 1) did not identify potential environmental concerns associated with the property, or 2) identified potential environmental concerns associated with the property that the City will not require to be assessed further before acquisition because those concerns are considered relatively minor. The City will conduct an additional review prior to the closing date, and if circumstances at the site have not changed because of that updated review, the City will not require the buyer to complete any additional environmental assessment. If the City’s pre-closing updated review finds additional environmental records of concern associated with this property, the City may require additional action or contract terms as conditions for acquisition.
• “Requires Further Environmental Review,” which means there were environmental records of concern associated with this property and, as a result, the City has determined that additional environmental assessment of the property or additional contract terms are required before any acquisition.

A document is available with more information about the limited environmental review process. 

What are the property taxes on lots being sold through Chi BlockBuilder?

Property taxes are determined by the Cook County Assessor based on a property’s assessed value. Assessed value is not the same as market value.

For comparative purposes only, the 2021 taxes for vacant lots previously sold by the City to private buyers are below:

How are property deeds made available to buyers?

Deeds are available from the Cook County Clerk's Office. Deeds dated before 1985 are available at Recorder of Deeds offices at 118 N Clark St. Deeds dated after 1985 may be downloaded from the County Clerk website. 

How do I know if my project is allowed by zoning?

To learn more about City of Chicago zoning requirements, please visit the City’s interactive zoning map. The Zoning Ordinance Administration Division within the Department of Planning and Development reviews building permit applications to ensure compliance to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance.