Vacant Land Languishes in the High-Priced Market of Oakland, California

Oakland property prices have gone way up, but vacant land can be found all over the city. Hayley Raetz argues getting development on this land should be a policy priority.

1 minute read

August 6, 2018, 9:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Even as property values continue to climb in Oakland, many parcels of land sit unoccupied. Possible causes include the particular properties’ physical characteristics that make them difficult to develop, owners avoidance of impact fees, owners waiting for the market to go up yet further, or because the ownership of the land isn't clear. "Ownership itself may be complicated: the parcel may languish in a larger asset pool, or it may be owned by a number of individuals in a trust," Hayley Raetz writes for the Terner Center.

Whatever the reason for its vacancy, this land represents a big possible resource to a city in need of housing. Most of the parcels sitting vacant are zoned residential. "If an average of two units were built on each of the vacant parcels zoned for four units or less, Oakland would add close to 5,800 new residences," Raetz writes.

To encourage development on this land, Raetz argues that the city should create a tax on vacant residential land. She argues that this would push developers to move on properties and shrink the incentive to speculate on land.

Monday, July 30, 2018 in Terner Center for Housing Innovation

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing