To purchase a vacant lot complete the below purchase offer form and submit it along with the required deposit to the City Clerk's Office, 105 E. Third Street, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501. The process to purchase a lot takes approximately 60 days. You will be notified by the City Clerk's Office once the City Council approves your offer.
There are separate bid packets for City owned houses and buildings. Bid packets are available on the second floor of City Hall or at www.ottumwa.us.
Complete Property Disposition Policy
See our current list of City Owned Vacant Lots for Potential Development. Some are vacant lots, some are lots with houses. Offers to purchase must be submitted on a completed purchase offer form along with a deposit. Purchase of City owned property is subject to a public hearing and formal approval by the City Council. Completed the purchase offer forms can be sent or delivered to: Ottumwa City Clerk's Office, 105 E. Third St. Ottumwa, IA 52501.
The minimum price for each lot shall be $500 per lot, except that the minimum per lot price shall be $250 to owners of adjacent properties. If the City has owned the lot for more than 5 years, the minimum lot price shall be $250 to the general public and $125 for an adjacent property owner. If more than one adjacent property owner wants to purchase the lot, sealed bids will be accepted.
The City Council may consider modifying the minimum price. A development agreement with the buyer may be required when the City Council approves a modification of the minimum price.
