CDD assessments are non-ad valorem charges that appear on your Florida property tax bill, so a $2,400 annual assessment adds about $200 to your monthly housing cost. When taxes are escrowed, your mortgage escrow usually collects for them. Paying off the bond portion does not end the ongoing operating assessment.
What matters most
- CDD debt and operating assessments can change on different schedules.
- A listing’s monthly estimate should be verified against the actual tax bill, district records, and lender calculation.
- Paying off a bond portion may not eliminate ongoing district operating assessments.
How to use this answer
Before writing an offer, pull the most recent tax bill and identify every non-ad valorem assessment. Ask whether the estimate reflects the current completed home, not a vacant-lot bill. Add the annual amount to the housing budget even if it is paid outside the mortgage.
A simple example
A property has a $2,400 annual CDD assessment. That is roughly $200 per month in the housing budget before considering future changes. If the listing payment estimate omitted it, the buyer’s real payment picture is incomplete.
What to review before you decide
- Confirm the loan program, occupancy, property type, and timeline.
- Review the complete payment and cash-to-close estimate, not one number in isolation.
- Verify current program rules and lender requirements before moving money or signing a contract.
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers often ask next.
Is a CDD the same as an HOA?
No. A CDD is a public special district; an HOA is a private association. A property may have both.
Do CDD fees ever go away?
A debt assessment may have a term or payoff, while operating assessments can continue. Review the specific district.
Sources
Sources used for this article.
- Property tax information for Florida taxpayers — Florida Department of Revenue • Accessed August 17, 2026
- Apply for exemptions and portability — St. Johns County Property Appraiser • Accessed August 17, 2026
