Right-of-way vacation
A right-of-way vacation is when a city or county gives up a street, alley, or easement it no longer needs.
Also called street vacation, alley vacation, or right-of-way abandonment.
What it tells you
A vacation often means a developer is assembling a block, closing an alley or street to fit a larger building or campus. It names the land involved and often the project that needs it.
How it moves through a city or county
- An adjoining owner or the city requests the vacation.
- Staff and utilities check whether the land is still needed, and may keep an easement.
- The planning commission may review it, and the council holds a hearing.
- The council adopts an ordinance or resolution, which is recorded.
Some states call it abandonment. The vote needed, and whether owners pay for the land, vary by state and city.
Recent street and alley vacations
From public filings in Florida, Utah, and Virginia.
| Project | Location | Developer | Type | Size | Stage | Latest meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Townhome Development on 0.5 Acres | Midvale, UT | Ryker Development, LLC | Townhomes | 12 townhomes0.5 acres | Seeking approval | |
| 34,872-Square-Foot Holiday Lane Right-of-Way Vacation | Blacksburg, VA | T.P.B. Enterprises LLC | Trails and greenways | 9.72 acres | Approved | |
| 0.055-Acre Alley Vacation Amendment for Mixed-Use Development | St. Petersburg, FL | Blue Central Avenue, LLC | Affordable (LIHTC) housing | 0.06 acres | Seeking approval |
As of How we count
Common questions
- Who gets the land when a street is vacated?
- When a street is vacated, the land usually goes to the owners on each side, often split down the middle. State law and the city's ordinance decide, and some cities charge for the land.
- Why would a developer want a street vacated?
- A developer may want a street vacated to join parcels into one larger site, add parking, or fit a bigger building. The vacation is often filed along with the project's plat or site plan.
Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.
See street vacations near you.
Search Boardwalk for "street vacation" or "right-of-way vacation".