Highlands County

1. 01Is there a real road to the lot?

   Check before you buy. Some platted roads exist only on paper.

   The county maps platted rights-of-way that may have no road on the ground and maintains a road only once it is built to county standard. A roadway status affidavit has been required on every sale since March 12, 2024.

2. 02Impact fees on a new home?

   None in effect as of October 2026.

   The county board held an impact fee study workshop on May 12, 2026. Re-check the development services page before you budget, an adopted schedule would change this answer.

3. 03Which water management district?

   Mostly South Florida (about 69% of the county), the rest Southwest Florida.

   Your parcel’s district decides who issues well and environmental permits. Area shares from Census county lines against the district boundaries.

4. 04Tax deed land?

   Sold online through the Clerk since January 2026.

   Deposits and full payment deadlines follow Florida Statutes chapter 197. A tax deed is not a clean title; budget for a quiet title action.

Highlands is our newest county. Median price, RV and mobile home verdicts, wells, septic, and power are in records review now; the four answers above are verified.

Verdicts summarize the county land development code as checked on the dates in our records. Codes get amended. Confirm against the current code or a county planner before you rely on a verdict to buy.