City-Owned Properties:
The City of Syracuse owns hundreds of properties, mostly vacant lots, many of which are available for purchase. You can view a current listing of available city-owned vacant lots here.
Buying a lot next door can be a great opportunity to gain space, privacy, and security on and around your property. To learn more about the benefits and responsibilities associated with purchasing a lot, view the Neighborhood Redesign Brochure. The Department of Neighborhood and Business Development can provide technical assistance for those wishing to submit applications to purchase a lot-next-door, and you may even be eligible for assistance with site improvements. To learn more contact NBD at 448-8100.
Once you have selected a parcel you wish to buy, and NBD staff has determined it is available for sale; you can apply to purchase it by downloading and filling out the property purchase application. Return your completed application and deposit to the address below:
Central Permit Office
City Hall Commons, Room 102
201 E. Washington Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
Your application should describe in detail the final use of the property, illustrate your capacity to maintain the property, and indicate how your redevelopment project will benefit the surrounding neighborhood. Please include all required attachments; incomplete applications will not be accepted. Development proposals are reviewed and approved or denied by an interdepartmental review committee, and then also voted on by the Common Council. Applicants will be informed within four weeks of a complete application as to whether the City has approved a purchase offer for a City-owned property. Once you have purchased a property from the City of Syracuse, you will be responsible for obtaining any permits and approvals for site work and construction on the parcel. Contact the Central Permit Office to learn more at 315-448-4715.
APPRAISAL FEE SCHEDULE
Residential Vacant Lot $175
Single Family House $225
Two Family House $275
Three Family House $325
Commercial Vacant Lot TBD
Multiple Unit &
Mixed Use Buildings TBD
Commercial/Industrial Building TBD
RESIDENTIAL VACANT LOT PROGRAM
Residential vacant lots may be purchased by the adjoining property owner for the following
pre-determined price:
| Buildable lot, not in SURA area (with frontage) |
Appraised Value
|
Buildable Lot, In SURA Area (with frontage)
|
$0.15/sq.ft
|
Non-buildable, anywhere (with frontage)
|
Lots with no frontage (rear parcel)
|
$0.12/sq.ft
|
Tax Foreclosure Properties:
Properties seized by the City of Syracuse for non-payment of taxes are available for purchase through the Greater Syracuse Land Bank (GSPDC). This process is separate and different from the sale of City-owned parcels described above. You can view property listings, asking prices, and photos on the Land Bank’s website by visiting http://www.syracuselandbank.org and clicking on the “properties” tab.
A tax-foreclosure takes approximately six months if the taxes remain unpaid. If you are interested in purchasing a tax delinquent property through the Land Bank, please call the Land Bank at (315)422-2301 or email info@syracuselandbank.org to express interest and for instructions and information on how to apply to purchase the property.