On October 1, 2025, a new round of applications for City-owned lots opens across Chicago. A total of 486 parcels are available for private purchase, designated for commercial, residential, and mixed-use construction—as well as side yards, open space, and urban agriculture.
The lots are offered through ChiBlockBuilder, the City of Chicago’s online portal designed to make buying vacant land more transparent and accessible. Managed by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), ChiBlockBuilder simplifies the process for residents, small developers, and community groups to purchase land and bring new life to long-vacant parcels on the South and West Sides.
How to Find City-Owned Lots
- Go to the ChiBlockBuilder map: View City-Owned Lots available for sale here.
- Search by neighborhood: Use the filter on the left-hand side to select your area of interest (e.g., Auburn Gresham, Englewood).
- View property details: Click on a parcel to see zoning, square footage, and availability.
- Apply or express interest: When a lot is open for applications, click “Apply” to start the process.
South Side neighborhoods with City-owned lots available for sale (as of Oct. 1, 2025):
- Auburn Gresham ‒ 28 city lots
- Bridgeport – 1 city lot
- Chatham ‒ 5 city lots
- Douglas – 22 city lots
- East Side – 2 city lots
- Englewood – 53 city lots
- Greater Grand Crossing – 3 city lots
- Kenwood ‒ 5 city lots
- Morgan Park ‒ 3 city lots
- Roseland – 4 city lots
- South Chicago – 16 city lots
- South Shore – 4 city lots
- Washington Heights – 6 city lots
- Washington Park – 4 city lots
- West Englewood – 41 city lots
- West Pullman – 3 city lots
- Woodlawn – 25 city lots
If you are interested in applying, register for the ChiBlockBuilder informational webinar on Wednesday, October 15 for more details. Register here.
