FAQ

After demolition, properties are graded, seeded, and prepared for reuse — often as side lots, community green spaces, or development sites.

No. Our role is to return blighted and tax-delinquent properties to productive use when the private market is not addressing them.

We are funded through property sales, grants, and allocations from state and local programs, including blight remediation funding.

Check our website regularly, follow us on social media, or sign up for email updates to learn about new property listings, programs, and events.

Visit our properties page to see available properties and the appropriate forms. We review applications based on proposed use, applicant qualifications, and community benefit.

The Erie Land Bank is a public entity created to return vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties to productive use. We work to eliminate blight, promote neighborhood revitalization, and support community development.

We typically acquire properties through tax foreclosure, donation, or direct purchase. Many properties come from the Erie County Tax Claim Bureau after owners fail to pay taxes for several years.

We evaluate each property for possible rehabilitation, new construction, or demolition. Our goal is to prepare the property for sale to responsible owners who will maintain and improve it.

If you own a property directly next to a vacant Land Bank lot, you may be eligible to purchase it through our Side Lot Program.

Concerns about vacant/blighted properties should initially be reported to the City of Erie Code Enforcement Office at (814) 870-1473.

Formulas for determining the minimum price of a Land Bank property will vary depending on the type of property being purchased – various factors may be considered, including the fair market value of the property, the amount of investment by the Land Bank, the proposed use of the property, etc. As an example, vacant properties intended to be used as side lots are generally available at a minimum offer of $10 per foot of street frontage.

In most cases, the Land Bank will accommodate interior inspections of available properties so that prospective purchasers can be fully aware of the condition of the property and the work which will be required to properly rehabilitate it.

The Erie Land Bank will generally have three types of properties available for sale – vacant lots suitable for side yards or new residential construction; residential properties requiring substantial rehabilitation; and, ready-for-occupancy homes available to homebuyer/occupants. The qualifications and terms of sale will vary depending on the type of property.

In most cases, any individual, business, or nonprofit in good standing with the City of Erie, Erie County, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can purchase from the Land Bank. Applicants must not owe back taxes or have unresolved code violations.

If you purchase a property for new construction, rehabilitation, or other improvements, you may be required to sign a Development Agreement. This agreement outlines the project, timeline, and reporting requirements to ensure the property is developed as proposed.

While the Land Bank has a strong preference for end uses that will result in a property generating real estate tax revenue, the Erie Land Bank will consider inquiries from non-profit organizations and judge those on the merit of the proposed project and the impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

If you fail to complete your agreed-upon project within the required timeframe, the Land Bank may reclaim the property under the terms of the Development Agreement.

Prices vary depending on location, size, and condition. Some properties are sold for nominal amounts to encourage redevelopment, while others are priced based on fair market value and investment potential.

Yes, but if it’s not a side lot, you will need to submit a detailed development plan and sign a Development Agreement before purchase.

The process typically takes 30–90 days from application to closing, depending on the complexity of the sale and any required approvals.