Development Services

• Land Acquisition
• Land Marketing
• Relocation
• Urban Neighborhood Development Corporation

Land Marketing

Darryl Kleinhenz:  [email protected]

Frederick Wheat:  [email protected]

330-375-2696

The City of Akron has numerous VACANT LOTS FOR SALE (under certain restrictions) to adjacent property owners or to private developers. These lots, located throughout city neighborhoods, allow adjacent owners to increase the size of their home lot (often substandard under today’s regulations) or may be sold to developers for new home construction. The sale of these lots releases the property from City maintenance, while returning the property to a tax-generating status. The vacant lots available for sale may have been acquired under the Community Development Program or the Land Reutilization Program (property acquired by the City of Akron that was foreclosed because of non-payment of taxes). The City of Akron evaluates each lot to determine the best use of the lot with preference given to residential and economic development activities.

Lot for a Little Program

Vacant lots are defined under two (2) categories, Unbuildable or Buildable:

Unbuildable Parcel - a lot having less than a 50-foot frontage. Buildable Parcel – a lot having a minimum of 50-foot frontage and a lot size of greater than 5,000 sq. ft. These lots are offered to the Urban Neighborhood Development Corporation or to other private developers for new home construction prior to being offered to adjacent landowners.

Unbuildable Parcel
All lot sales of an unbuildable parcel are subject to the following policy:

1. City of Akron Will evaluate each lot to determine the best use of the lot with preference given to residential and economic development activities.
2. Unbuildable lots located between two (2) existing structures may be offered half each to the adjoining property owners. If either party declines, the entire parcel will be offered to the other.
3. If both adjoining property owners decline, the lot may be offered to the rear-abutting property owner. If none of the abutting property owners purchase the lot, it may be offered to any nearby property owner.
4. Lots purchased for addition to existing developed properties will be sold with deed restrictions prohibiting construction of additional dwelling units and limiting usage to ancillary facilities or building additions. The applicant must obtain all necessary permits from the City before erecting structures on the property (e.g., garage, fence etc.).
5. The applicant’s property must be maintained in a decent, safe, and sanitary manner.
6. Properties zoned other than residential will be brought to the Akron City Planning Commission on an individual basis for approval.
7. Situations not herein defined or deemed to be unusual will be resolved at the discretion of the Department of Planning and Urban Development.
8. The sale price for an unbuildable parcel that was acquired through the Community Development Program or the Land Reutilization Program shall be $0.05 (5¢) per square foot. The purchaser is also responsible for the $31.00 recording fee in addition to the cost of the lot.
9. All sales are subject to approval by the Akron City Council. Properties zoned other than residential will be brought to the Akron City Planning Commission on an individual basis for approval.

Buildable Parcel
All lot sales of a buildable parcel are subject to the following policy:

1. City of Akron will evaluate each lot to determine the best use of the lot with preference given to residential and economic development activities.
2. Situations not herein defined or deemed to be unusual will be resolved at the discretion of the Department of Planning and Urban Development.
3. Applicant must obtain all necessary permits from the City before erecting structures on the property.
4. New construction shall be submitted for design approval to the Department of Planning and Urban Development. All construction shall comply with the City of Akron Building Code and Zoning Regulations.
5. Construction to commence within 90 days upon taking title. Completion shall occur within twelve months of that date. If at such time the applicant fails to complete construction, the title to the property together with all improvements made or erected shall automatically be forfeited and revert to and vest in City of Akron, which shall have the right to re-enter and take possession of the property. Extension may be granted upon written request from the applicant.
6. The sale price for a buildable parcel that was acquired through the Community Development Program shall be $0.50 (50¢) per square foot. The sale price for a buildable parcel acquired through the Land Reutilization Program shall be $2,500.00. The purchaser is also responsible for the $31.00 recording fee in addition to the cost of the lot in either program.
7. All sales are subject to approval by the Akron City Council.

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