Questions, answered with numbers.

$0.70 for every $100 of the sale price (Miami-Dade uses $0.60 on most deeds). On a $50,000 parcel that is $350. Who pays it is negotiable in the contract; by custom the seller usually does.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 201.02. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Two, both on the loan amount: documentary stamp tax on the note at $0.35 per $100, and the nonrecurring intangible tax on the mortgage at 0.2%. On a $40,000 land loan that is $140 plus $80, or $220 at closing.

Source: Florida Statutes ss. 201.08 and 199.133. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

The rate is set by the state: $5.75 per $1,000 of coverage up to $100,000, then $5.00 per $1,000 up to $1 million, with a $100 minimum. A $60,000 parcel costs $345 to insure; a $150,000 parcel costs $825.

Source: Florida Administrative Code rule 69O-186.003. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

No law requires one, but without a current survey the title policy excludes boundary disputes, encroachments, and acreage shortfalls. A Florida survey must meet the state standards of practice in rule chapter 5J-17 and be signed by a licensed surveyor and mapper.

Source: Florida Administrative Code chapter 5J-17; Florida Statutes chapter 472. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

A deposit of 5% of the bid or $200, whichever is greater, with the full balance due within 24 hours. A tax deed alone rarely gives insurable title; plan on a quiet title action before you build or resell.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 197.542. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Since March 12, 2024, every sale in Highlands County has needed one. It tells the buyer whether the road to the lot is built and county maintained, or only a platted right-of-way on paper that the county will not maintain until it is built to standard.

Source: Highlands County development services, checked 2026-10-08. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

No. Homestead applies only once you live in a home on the property as your permanent residence on January 1, and you must file by March 1. It then takes up to $50,000 off the assessed value: the first $25,000 against all taxes, the second $25,000 against non-school taxes on value between $50,000 and $75,000.

Source: Florida Constitution Art. VII s. 6; Florida Statutes s. 196.031. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

At most 3% a year, or the change in the Consumer Price Index if that is lower. This Save Our Homes cap starts the year after you first receive the homestead exemption.

Source: Florida Constitution Art. VII s. 4(d); Florida Statutes s. 193.155. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Yes, 10% a year, but only for non-school taxes. School taxes follow full market value. The cap resets to market value when ownership changes or the land is substantially improved.

Source: Florida Constitution Art. VII s. 4; Florida Statutes s. 193.1555. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Yes: 4% if paid in November, 3% in December, 2% in January, and 1% in February. The full amount is due by March 31, and unpaid taxes become delinquent on April 1.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 197.162. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

File form DR-482 with the county property appraiser by March 1. The land must be in good faith commercial agricultural use on January 1 (cattle, timber, hay, and similar uses all count), and the homesite itself never qualifies. Agricultural zoning alone does not get you the classification.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 193.461. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

75 feet. The same 75 feet applies between the drainfield and most lakes, rivers, and other non-tidal surface water. On small lots these two setbacks, not zoning, usually decide where the house can go.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 381.0065(4); Florida Administrative Code rule 62-6.005. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Half an acre (21,780 square feet), with sewage flow limited to 1,500 gallons per acre per day. A lot on public water may carry up to 2,500 gallons per acre per day. Older platted lots below the minimum often need a variance and an advanced treatment system.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 381.0065(4)(a); Florida Administrative Code rule 62-6.005. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

24 inches between the bottom of the drainfield and the seasonal high water table. Lots that cannot provide it naturally need a mounded system built up with fill, which typically costs several thousand dollars more than a conventional system.

Source: Florida Administrative Code chapter 62-6. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, since July 1, 2021. The program moved from the Department of Health under the Clean Waterways Act, though many counties still route the paperwork through the same local office.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 381.0065; Laws of Florida 2020-150. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Your water management district, and only a licensed water well contractor may drill it. Florida has five districts; which one covers you depends on the parcel, and in Highlands County it is about 69% South Florida and 31% Southwest Florida.

Source: Florida Statutes chapter 373; district rules; DirtWise county overlay, 2026-10-08. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

The 8th Edition (2023) of the Florida Building Code, in effect for permit applications filed on or after December 31, 2023. It covers wind design, flood elevations, energy, and the termite protection every new home needs.

Source: Florida Building Commission. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Yes, under the owner-builder exemption, if the home is for your own use and you supervise the work on site. If you sell or lease it within 1 year of completion, the law presumes you built it for sale, which voids the exemption. Licensed trades such as electrical and plumbing still need licensed contractors unless you do that work yourself.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 489.103(7). Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Homes built to the federal HUD code, which took effect on June 15, 1976, installed by a Florida-licensed installer to the wind zone on the data plate. Many counties and deed restrictions go further and limit the age or size of the home, so check the parcel before you buy the home.

Source: 24 CFR part 3280; Florida Statutes chapter 320. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Not as of October 2026. No impact fee schedule is in effect; the county board held an impact fee study workshop on May 12, 2026, so check again before you budget.

Source: Highlands County development services, checked 2026-10-08. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

At least a 1% chance in any year, which works out to about a 26% chance over a 30-year mortgage. Any federally backed loan on a building in these zones requires flood insurance.

Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Up to $250,000 on the building and $100,000 on contents for a single-family home. A new policy normally takes 30 days to take effect, unless it is bought with a new loan.

Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

Yes, if any work comes within 25 feet of a potentially occupied burrow. The permit application needs a burrow survey covering at least 15% of the habitat to be disturbed, done within 90 days before you apply. Clearing first and asking later can cost you a separate disturbed site permit.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer

In Levy County, up to 18 months with a temporary use permit. Marion County allows it only while a building permit for the home is active, Putnam only by temporary use permit, and Citrus not at all. There is no statewide right to it.

Source: County land development codes, verified by DirtWise 2026-07. Checked Jul 2026. Link to this answer

Yes, if they hold an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate and stay at or below 400 feet above ground. Commercial photos for a listing or a survey count as commercial flying, so the hobbyist rules do not cover them.

Source: 14 CFR part 107. Checked Oct 2026. Link to this answer