CDD fees explained

In short

A Community Development District is a special district created under chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes to finance and maintain community infrastructure. Its assessments appear as non-ad valorem assessments on the county property-tax bill, not as an HOA invoice.

Many new communities in Florida are built with a Community Development District — a local special-purpose government that finances roads, water, sewer and amenities, and repays that cost through an annual assessment on each home. Understanding it can change which community is the better deal.

Last updated November 6, 2026.

What is a CDD in Florida?

What makes up a CDD assessment?

Usually two parts: a debt-service assessment that repays the bonds used to build infrastructure, which typically ends when the bonds are paid, and an operations-and-maintenance assessment that continues each year. Ask for both figures and the payoff date of the debt portion.

How do I find out the CDD before I buy?

Florida law (section 190.048, Florida Statutes) requires the seller to disclose the CDD in the sales contract. You can also look up the assessment on the county tax collector's bill for the lot, and many CDDs publish their budgets and meeting records online.

Is a CDD better or worse than a higher price with no CDD?

Compare the total: the price difference plus the yearly CDD over the years you expect to own the home. A community with a CDD may have a lower base price, and some CDD debt can be paid off early.

Can someone check the CDD for a specific home?

Yes. Dorota requests the CDD figures from the builder and checks the district's budget for the lot you're considering.

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Questions

Good to know

Is a CDD fee the same as an HOA fee?

No. A CDD assessment is a government special-district assessment on your property-tax bill; an HOA fee is charged by a private association. Many communities have both.

Does the CDD ever go away?

The debt-service portion usually ends when the district's bonds are repaid; the operations-and-maintenance portion continues.

Where is a CDD disclosed?

Florida law (section 190.048, Florida Statutes) requires a CDD disclosure in the sales contract, and the assessment appears on the county tax bill.