City of Memphis Mow-To-Own Program

AKA:

home901; Blight Authority of Memphis Inc (Memphis' new non-profit land bank)

Description:

Provides a Mow to Own Program, which offers the owners of properties next to vacant city or county owned lots a way to take possession of the land at low cost. Property owners can register, pay a $175.00 fee and maintain the vacant lot next to their own property over a period of as long as three years with regular lawn mowing to receive a credit toward purchase. Contact the Shelby County Land Bank to find out if a lot next to your property is eligible for the program. If so, applicants will be sent to the General Services division of the city for an application. If a property is owned by the county, the County Commission must approve its transfer to the city. And once the property belongs to the city, the council must approve the application before work can begin. Also properties approved will receive a free cut from the city before an applicant takes over the maintenance of a property.

Hours:

City of Memphis Real Estate Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; Shelby County Land Bank Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Intake Process:

Call the City Real Estate office (901-636-6338) or the Shelby County Land Bank (901-222-1150) to find out if a vacant parcel adjoining your land is eligible for the program

Program Fees:

Must apply and qualify for program. A $175.00 Initial Administrative Non-Refundable Fee is required; credits earned can be applied toward purchase price of a parcel of land after a certain time period of yard maintenance; applicants will receive a $25.00 credit for each mowing or leaf removal over a three-year period, with a maximum credit of $1350.00. If the value of the property exceeds that maximum credit amount, the participant will pay the difference. The minimum cost for eligible lots is $500.00 and the maximum is $10,000.00 (the maximum amount of land that can be absorbed is 0.5 acres)

Eligibility:

Shelby County residents living near a vacant city or county owned lot that is neglected and needs yard maintenance

Is Shelter?

No

Related Resource

Date of Official Change:

April 20, 2023

Address Listings

Contacts

Phone Numbers

Legal Status:

City/County (Parish)