If you are gardening a vacant lot next to your home, you may be able to take ownership of the property. The steps for acquiring the property as a sideyard are as follows:
- If you live next door (or in the rear) of the vacant lot, you have first preference to apply for the city-owned property. You must have the exact address of the lot.
- If there are other homeowners also adjacent to the lot, it will speed up the process to get a letter from them stating if they are interested in the lot or not.
- Bring this letter to the Redevelopment Authority (RDA) Central Intake Unit (1234 Market Street, 16th Floor) and fill out the city application.
- Notify your District Councilperson that you are in the process of applying for a city-owned property. You will need his/her support to get the lot transferred to you, the homeowner.
- The overall process often takes one to two years. The city will notify you by mail once the Vacant Property Review Committee (VPRC) makes its decision. The committee will decide whether to give you the property or not.
- Recommendations of the VPRC are then sent to City Council for final approval.
- Once ownership of the lot is turned over to you by the City, you will become responsible for the taxes and upkeep of the property.
- If you have any question about this process, please contact Mr. Lewis or Mrs. Diaz who handle these applications at the RDA at (215) 854-6500.
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