Classification of Tax-Forfeited Property

Notice is hereby given that a public meeting has been scheduled to receive comments on the classification of tax-forfeited property as conservation or non-conservation.  The classification is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday December 2, 2025.  

As described in Minnesota Statute § 282.01, parcels of land becoming the property of the state in trust under law declaring the forfeiture of lands to the state for taxes must be classified by the county board as conservation or non-conservation.

Classification Parcel List 

The below list of properties will be available to be sold at an online auction through mnbid.mn.gov.  

Public Sale Notice

Public Notice (Exhibit E)

Current properties available (Exhibit E)

Minnesota Department of Health Radon in Real Estate Transactions

Terms and Conditions - Tax Forfeiture

Notice of Surplus - 28-106055-0

Notice of Surplus - 28-110010-0

Tax Forfeited Land FAQs

What forms of payment are accepted?
Cashier’s check or money order.

 Who do i fill out the payment to?
There will be 2 payments that will need to be sent in.

1.    Payment 1 for the winning bid amount made out to “Surplus Services” and 
2.    Payment 2 for the closing fees listed below made out to “Lyon County Auditor Treasurer”. You will receive an invoice through email with the full fee schedule.

What are the Online Sale Fees?

Who IS NOT ELIGIBLE to bid & purchase tax-forfeited land?
The following individuals (either personally or as an agent or attorney for any other person):
County Auditor/Treasurer, District Court Administrators, County Assessors or supervisors of assessments, land and minerals department are prohibited. (MS 282.016)  
These individuals are further prohibited from having another person directly or indirectly purchase tax-forfeited land on their behalf for their benefit or gain.  Relatives of these prohibited purchasers may purchase land at a tax-forfeited land sale unless the relative is buying the property for the prohibited person.

Potential purchasers who own property in Lyon County but are delinquent on their property taxes are restricted from purchasing at the sale.  In addition, if you are the owner who lost that property due to non-payment of taxes, you will not be allowed to bid on the property at the sale.  

Does the purchase price affect the taxable market value of the tax forfeited property?
No. Any further questions on the taxable market value of the property should be directed to the Lyon County Assessor’s office at (507) 537-6731.

Do I have to pay the delinquent taxes of the property I purchase at the Tax Forfeited Land Sale?
No. The delinquent taxes have been cancelled. The amount you will need to pay for your property is the purchase price along with other fees and costs.

Can I get a refund on my purchase?
No. All sales are final and no refunds or exchanges are permitted.
Will I receive a Property Tax Statement?
Yes, once the title is in your name. The following year property tax statement will be mailed to you in March and the Proposed Tax Notice (aka Truth in Taxation Notice) in November

Do I have to pay the special assessments?
You do not have to pay the canceled special assessments at the time of purchase, but the governmental unit(s) may reinstate any special assessments that were canceled at forfeiture after the property has been sold. We recommend you contact the government unit(s) to inquire about their plans with any special assessments.

Is the property “buildable”?
Each City within the County has different requirements for “buildable” lots. Please call the appropriate City from the list above.

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