Where Can You Find New Construction in Sarasota Without CDD Fees?

If you have been searching for a new home in Sarasota, chances are you have come across the term CDD fee.

Community Development Districts are common throughout Florida, particularly in newer master-planned communities. They can play an important role in funding the infrastructure and improvements that make new communities possible. But they also represent another cost for homebuyers to understand when comparing where to live.

That leads to a question we hear from buyers:

Can you still find new construction in Sarasota without CDD fees?

Yes.

For buyers who prefer new construction without a CDD assessment, Sam Rodgers Homes has two new Sarasota communities coming soon: Arbour Lake Preserve in Sarasota and Stonebridge III on Palmer Ranch. Neither community will have a CDD fee.

Before we introduce them, it helps to understand exactly what a CDD is, what it pays for and how it differs from an HOA.

What Is a CDD Fee in Florida?

CDD stands for Community Development District.

In Florida, a Community Development District is a special-purpose unit of local government created to provide and help finance certain infrastructure and community services within a defined area.

Depending on the community, CDD-funded improvements may include things such as roads, stormwater management systems, utilities, landscaping, recreational facilities and other public infrastructure.

Rather than requiring all of that infrastructure to be funded upfront as a community is developed, a CDD can finance qualifying improvements and recover those costs through taxes or assessments on properties within the district.

For homeowners, those assessments are commonly referred to simply as a CDD fee.

The amount varies from one district to another, which is why buyers considering a home within a CDD should look at the specific assessment for that property rather than assuming all CDD fees are alike.

Is a CDD Fee the Same as an HOA Fee?

No. This is one of the most common points of confusion for Florida homebuyers.

A CDD and an HOA are two different things.

A homeowners association, or HOA, is generally a private association responsible for community standards, common areas and services established for the neighborhood. Homeowners pay HOA dues according to the association's governing documents and budget.

A CDD, on the other hand, is a governmental entity. Its assessments can be used to finance, operate or maintain authorized district infrastructure and services.

That means a Florida community can have:

• An HOA and a CDD
• An HOA without a CDD
• Different fees and assessments depending on how the community is structured

When comparing Sarasota communities, it is important to look at the complete picture rather than simply asking whether there is an HOA.

Why Do Some Sarasota Buyers Look for New Homes Without CDD Fees?

There is nothing inherently negative about living in a CDD community. CDDs are widely used throughout Florida and can help provide infrastructure and amenities enjoyed by residents.

For some buyers, however, not having a CDD is simply a financial preference.

When two homes have similar purchase prices, their ongoing costs can still look very different.

A buyer may be considering:

• HOA dues
• CDD assessments
• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Flood insurance, when applicable
• Homesite premiums
• Maintenance responsibilities
• Community amenities and services

Looking at those expenses together gives buyers a much clearer understanding of the cost of owning a particular home.

For buyers specifically searching for new construction in Sarasota without CDD fees, finding a community without a CDD removes one assessment from that equation.

And while new construction without a CDD can sometimes be harder to find within larger master-planned areas, there are options in Sarasota.

New Construction in Sarasota Without a CDD

Sam Rodgers Homes is introducing two boutique communities in Sarasota, and neither Arbour Lake Preserve nor Stonebridge III on Palmer Ranch will have a CDD fee.

The communities are quite different from one another, giving Sarasota homebuyers two distinct ways to experience new construction without a CDD assessment.

Arbour Lake Preserve: New Construction in Sarasota With No CDD

Arbour Lake Preserve is a new conservation community in East Sarasota featuring just 37 homesites.

Set across approximately 50 acres, Arbour Lake Preserve has been planned around its natural setting, with approximately 75% of the community dedicated to lakes, wetlands, nature trails and conservation areas.

Every homesite is lakefront.

The intimate scale is intentional. Rather than hundreds or thousands of residences, Arbour Lake Preserve will offer just 37 opportunities to build a new Sam Rodgers home.

Homebuyers can choose from five thoughtfully designed floorplans ranging from approximately 2,693 to 3,398 square feet, with opportunities to personalize finishes, features and available options to suit the way they live.

And for buyers researching the ongoing costs associated with new construction in Sarasota:

Arbour Lake Preserve will have no CDD fee.

It offers an uncommon combination: a newly built home, a lakefront setting, preserved natural surroundings and a location in Sarasota, without a Community Development District assessment.

Stonebridge III: New Construction on Palmer Ranch With No CDD

For buyers drawn to Palmer Ranch, Stonebridge III brings something increasingly difficult to find: an opportunity to build a new home within an established Sarasota area.

Stonebridge III will feature just 27 homesites on Palmer Ranch.

The community is planned around a more intimate neighborhood experience, with convenient access to the destinations that make Palmer Ranch so appealing, including the Legacy Trail and the shopping, dining, recreation, beaches and cultural attractions of greater Sarasota.

Sam Rodgers Homes will introduce three floorplans at Stonebridge III, offering options for buyers looking for a right-sized Florida home as well as those wanting additional space.

There is another important distinction for buyers comparing new construction costs:

Stonebridge III will have no CDD fee and no homesite premiums.

For buyers who want the benefits of a newly constructed home while remaining in an established Sarasota location, Stonebridge III offers a notably different option from many of the region's larger new-home communities.

How Should You Compare the Cost of New Construction in Sarasota?

The advertised price of a home is important, but it should not be the only number you consider.

When comparing new construction communities, ask for a clear picture of the costs associated with purchasing and owning the home.

Start with the home price, then look at the homesite. Is there a homesite premium? Are certain views or locations priced differently?

Next, look at community-related expenses. What are the HOA dues? Is there a CDD assessment? What services are included?

Then consider property taxes, insurance and any other costs specific to the home or location.

This approach makes it much easier to compare one community with another accurately.

A home with a lower advertised starting price, for example, may have different homesite premiums or ongoing community assessments than another home. Neither structure is necessarily better or worse. What matters is understanding the numbers and choosing the home and community that make sense for you.

Do All New Construction Communities in Sarasota Have CDD Fees?

No.

While CDDs are common in many newer Florida developments, they are not required for every new construction community.

The way a community is developed and financed determines whether a Community Development District is part of its structure.

That is why buyers searching specifically for Sarasota communities without CDD fees should ask about CDD assessments early in their home search.

Arbour Lake Preserve and Stonebridge III are two examples of new Sarasota communities that will not have a CDD.

New Sarasota Homes, Without the CDD Fee

At Sam Rodgers Homes, we have been building on Florida's Gulf Coast since 1968.

Over those decades, Sarasota has changed considerably. What has not changed is the importance of helping buyers understand exactly what they are buying, from the home itself to the community around it.

Arbour Lake Preserve and Stonebridge III represent the next chapter.

At Arbour Lake Preserve, buyers will find 37 lakefront homesites within an approximately 50-acre conservation community.

At Stonebridge III, just 27 new homesites bring new construction back to Palmer Ranch.

Two very different Sarasota lifestyles. Two intimate new communities.

And one thing they share:

No CDD fees.

If you are exploring new construction in Sarasota and would like to learn more about Arbour Lake Preserve or Stonebridge III, join the Sam Rodgers Homes VIP list for community updates, floorplans, pricing, homesite releases and upcoming opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions About CDD Fees in Florida

What does CDD stand for?

CDD stands for Community Development District. In Florida, it is a special-purpose governmental entity that can provide and finance certain infrastructure and services within a defined district.

What does a CDD fee pay for?

CDD assessments can help fund the construction, operation or maintenance of authorized community infrastructure and facilities. What a particular CDD funds varies by district, so buyers should review the information for the specific community they are considering.

Is a CDD fee the same as an HOA fee?

No. A CDD is a governmental entity, while an HOA is a private homeowners association. A community may have both an HOA and a CDD, or it may have an HOA without a CDD.

Are CDD fees included in property taxes?

CDD assessments may appear on a property's annual tax bill as non-ad valorem assessments, depending on how the district collects them. Buyers should review the property's tax information and community disclosures to understand the specific assessment.

Do all new construction communities in Florida have a CDD?

No. CDDs are common in Florida new construction, but not every new community has one.

Can I find new construction in Sarasota without a CDD fee?

Yes. Sam Rodgers Homes' upcoming Arbour Lake Preserve and Stonebridge III on Palmer Ranch communities will both offer new construction in Sarasota without CDD fees.

Does Arbour Lake Preserve have a CDD fee?

No. Arbour Lake Preserve will not have a CDD fee. The community will feature just 37 lakefront homesites across approximately 50 acres in Sarasota.

Does Stonebridge III on Palmer Ranch have a CDD fee?

No. Stonebridge III will not have a CDD fee. The community will feature 27 homesites on Palmer Ranch and will also have no homesite premiums.