Land records · Parcel maps · October 7, 2026
Community Development District (CDD) Fees Explained
How a community development district works: a Florida special district that funds infrastructure in new communities through assessments on the tax bill.
Community development district is a type of special district created under Florida law to finance and manage infrastructure for new communities, such as roads, water and sewer lines, drainage, landscaping, and amenities. Developers create a CDD to issue tax-exempt bonds that pay for these improvements, and homeowners repay the bonds through annual assessments collected on the property tax bill. Many CDDs also charge operations and maintenance assessments. CDDs are common in Florida master-planned communities and are separate from homeowners associations. Similar districts exist in other states under names like metropolitan districts or municipal utility districts. This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
Two types of CDD assessments
| Assessment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Debt service | Repays bonds for infrastructure over many years |
| Operations and maintenance | Ongoing upkeep of common facilities |
Debt service assessments often last 20 to 30 years. Some owners can prepay the debt portion.
How CDDs are governed
A CDD board is initially elected by landowners, usually controlled by the developer. As homes are sold and enough residents live there, governance shifts to boards elected by residents. Meetings and records are public.
CDD vs HOA
A CDD is a government entity that issues bonds and levies assessments collected with taxes. An HOA is a private association enforcing covenants and collecting dues. Many communities have both. See how to find out if a property is in an HOA.
Disclosure
Florida law requires sellers to disclose CDD assessments in contracts. The CDD lines appear on the county property tax bill. See how to read a property tax bill.
Effect on costs
CDD assessments can add significantly to annual costs, sometimes over a thousand dollars per year. Buyers comparing homes should include CDD fees, not just property taxes and HOA dues.
Liens and nonpayment
Because CDD assessments are collected with property taxes, unpaid assessments can lead to tax certificates and eventually tax deeds, the same as unpaid taxes. See what is a special assessment.
Related districts in other states
Colorado metropolitan districts, Texas municipal utility districts, and similar entities use comparable financing. See what is a special taxing district.
Example
A new Florida home has a property tax bill showing county, school, and city taxes, plus a CDD debt assessment of $1,100 and a CDD maintenance assessment of $600. The buyer budgets an extra $1,700 per year beyond regular taxes and HOA dues, and checks how many years remain on the bonds.
Checking the remaining term
The CDD’s bond documents and annual budgets show how many years of debt assessments remain and whether prepayment is allowed.
Bottom line
A community development district funds infrastructure in new Florida communities through bond-backed assessments collected on the property tax bill, plus maintenance charges. It is a government entity separate from an HOA. Buyers should check CDD amounts and remaining terms before purchasing. Explore Florida counties via the Platbookmapper map.
Community development district FAQ
What is a CDD fee?
An assessment for infrastructure and maintenance in a community development district.
How long do CDD fees last?
Debt assessments often last 20 to 30 years; maintenance continues.
Is a CDD the same as an HOA?
No, a CDD is a government entity; an HOA is private.
Where do CDD fees appear?
On the county property tax bill.
Can I pay off a CDD bond early?
Some CDDs allow prepayment of the debt portion.