The removal of vacant, blighted, and abandoned properties is a core function of the city of Toledo’s beautification program, which directly impacts and improves the quality of life for our residents. Through demolition, vacant land can be repurposed and assembled for adjacent property owners to purchase, used as greenspace for the community, or considered for a new development project.
Upcoming Demolitions
All demolitions listed are subject to change. Download a full list of the active and planned demolitions.
Housed in the division of Urban Beautification, the city of Toledo’s demolition program is driven by analytics including annual analysis of documented property maintenance concerns, response to criminal activity, and community input. Our residents are an integral part of the identification process. Requests for service are formally submitted with the city—through the customer intake portal known as Engage Toledo—from various community stakeholders and neighbors who identify issues with vacant, blighted, and abandoned properties in our neighborhoods.
About the Process
Removing a structure through demolition requires the efforts of multiple city employees, city departments, and the logistics of restoring the entire site to an aesthetic which complies with the municipal code property standards. Owners of these vacant, blighted, and abandoned properties have legal protections against their property being designated a public nuisance, and the city must navigate through those processes if the property is truly a hazard to the health and safety of the general public. This work may take several months or years, with the understanding that each public nuisance demolition project is unique.
Through this process and program, we are working together to create a better, safer Toledo.
Workflow
Request for Service
Requests for service are reported through Engage Toledo by phone at 419-936-2020 or online.
Inspection
A Code Compliance Inspector will respond to that request for service by visiting the property to document any and all violations of the property maintenance, building, and health codes. From those inspection results, an inspection case is created internally, and any appropriate violation notices or nuisance orders are sent to the property owner to resolve those identified violations.
Failure to Comply
If the property owner fails to comply with the violation notices or the nuisance orders, a referral for the property to be reviewed as a potential demolition candidate is made.
Project Review
After a detailed review to ensure the structure can be demolished, the appropriate funds are allocated for that project to be scheduled.
Public Notice
The city of Toledo will post demolition project properties on the city’s website for public consumption and public notice.
Pre-Demolition
Pre-demolition work begins: utility lines and connections are removed, the structure and property are surveyed for environmental contaminates, and any appropriate notices are sent to regulatory agencies regarding the pending demolition project.
Demolition
Once the pre-demolition work is complete, the structure is scheduled for demolition. The internal city demolition crew will tear down the structure, remove the debris, fill and grade the land, and spread grass seed—weather permitting.
Inspection
The city does permit each demolition project through the regulations outlined by the state of Ohio and the Toledo Municipal Code, which requires an inspection once the project is complete.
Invoice
The city will then invoice the property owner for the expenses incurred on the project and will seek to recover any and all funds associated with the project. If unpaid, a lien will be placed on the annual tax bill for the property. At that time, the project is considered closed.
Vacant Land
Once the project is closed, the vacant land is made available for a transaction through the Lucas County Land Bank. Those transactions could be a neighbor purchasing the side lot to extend their yard, land assembly for a development project, or the creation of community greenspace which the neighborhood can enjoy.
FAQ
What is the goal of the demolition program?
The goal is to remove the ‘worst of the worst’ blight in our neighborhoods. Most of our grant funds for demolition are awarded specifically for vacant, blighted, and abandoned structures.
Who is involved?
The city is the primary entity responsible with identifying, preparing, and physically demolishing the blighted structures in our community. The Lucas County Land Bank partners with us to help identify, acquire, and return the vacant land at the end of demolition back to productive use. We also work with a variety of other public entities like the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department, neighborhood and community groups, housing nonprofits, and private contractors throughout the demolition process.
Who pays for a demolition?
The majority of our demolitions are funded by grants received from the state and federal levels. Some are funded by fire insurance proceeds, and an even smaller amount of demolitions are paid for by general tax revenue. Ultimately, the owner of a property is financially responsible for the cost to remove or repair issues with their property. The city always attempts to collect from the owner and will place a lien on the property’s annual tax bill if costs are unpaid. Whatever costs we can recoup go back into our demolition fund to do more work within the community.
What do I do if I receive a nuisance abatement violation letter?
If you are concerned your house may be placed on the demolition list, and you would like to renovate and save it, you may file an appeal with the Department of Building and Code Compliance and you'll be scheduled for a hearing with the Nuisance Abatement Housing Appeals Board Meeting.