Florida Lot Buying Checklist
For buyers of land for a single-family home or townhomes · Updated October 20, 2026
A lot that looks cheap can turn out to be the most expensive part of a Florida build. Fill to reach flood elevation, a septic system, a wetland that eats half the buildable area or a deed restriction that rules out your plan — none of it shows up in the listing price, and all of it is easier to find before you close than after.
This checklist is the due diligence we work through before a client buys land to build a single-family home or townhomes anywhere in Florida. It covers zoning and setbacks, flood zone and elevation, soil and fill, wetlands and protected species, utilities versus well and septic, impact fees, HOA and deed restrictions, the survey, access, permit timelines, the questions to put to the county, and how the lot changes what the house costs to build. Where we give numbers, they are typical ranges from our published articles, with a link to the source.
What's inside
- Zoning, setback and lot-coverage checks that define what you can actually build
- Flood zone, base flood elevation and elevation-certificate questions (FEMA maps)
- Soil, fill, wetland and protected-species items that change the site budget
- Public water and sewer versus well and septic, plus impact fees
- HOA, deed restriction, survey, title and access checks
- Questions to ask the county, permit timelines, and how the lot affects build cost
8 sections · 44 checklist items · printable
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