06/19/2026
Communities with CDD fees tend to have superior amenities, but what is a CDD fee?
When a new community is built, the developer often needs to install major infrastructure before the first home is sold. This can include roads, sidewalks, drainage systems, landscaping, clubhouses, pools, fitness centers, tennis and pickleball courts, golf course amenities, and other community features.
To fund these improvements, a special-purpose local government called a Community Development District (CDD) may issue bonds. The cost of those bonds is then repaid over time by the property owners who benefit from the infrastructure.
Most CDD bonds are structured over approximately 30 years. If you purchase a home in a community that is 10 years old, the CDD bond portion may have about 20 years remaining before it is paid off. Some communities also have ongoing operations and maintenance assessments that can continue even after the bond debt is retired.
CDD fees are collected as part of your annual property tax bill and vary widely from one community to another. In the St. Augustine area, communities such as Madeira, Markland, Nocatee, Palencia, Shearwater, and TrailMark commonly have CDD assessments that can range from under $1,000 to well over $3,000 per year.
Before purchasing a home, it’s important to understand all costs, including CDD and HOA fees, property tax and insurance.
