When there is a piece of land on a public right of way (for example: a street that has been accepted by the city, but may not ever have been developed) the city may “abandon” a portion (or all) of that street to an abutter. In doing so, the City of Lowell legally gives up the right to pass over the property, or to make any improvements on the property that would serve the good of the public (for example, improving utility or sewer lines).

Before processing a resident’s request for abandonment, however, the city requires that all abutters of the property must waive their “right of passage” in writing. In signing the abandonment waiver and release form, each abutter essentially gives up his or her right to pass over the property, without first obtaining permission from the resident who requested the abandonment. The city regulations require that direct access to the property not be restricted by the resident at any time. As a result, the city will not proceed with an abandonment until the resident returns a waiver with his or her own signature, as well as the signatures of all other abutters of the property to be abandoned.

The "Abandonment Waiver and Release Form":AbandonmentWaiver_Form.pdf is available on our web page, or in our office. Please return the form to the address shown below. Alternatively, you can petition the City Clerk, and your request will be forwarded to our department.

Primary Contact:
Matthew Roux, Assistant Traffic Planner
Division of Planning and Development
50 Arcand Drive
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (978) 446-7200 x1421