Shopping for a home in Apollo Beach and seeing both CDD and HOA fees? You are not alone. These costs can shape your monthly budget and your long-term plans. In this guide, you will learn what each fee covers, where they show up, real local examples, and the documents to request so there are no surprises. Let’s dive in.

CDD vs HOA basics

A Community Development District, or CDD, is a special-purpose local government that plans, finances, builds, and maintains a community’s public infrastructure. Florida’s CDD framework is in Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes. CDDs levy non ad valorem assessments for debt service and operations.

A Homeowners Association, or HOA, is a private association that maintains common areas and amenities and charges dues. Florida’s HOA rules are in Chapter 720. HOAs can levy regular and special assessments and record liens when unpaid.

How you pay differs. CDD assessments often appear on your county property tax bill as non ad valorem assessments. HOA dues are billed by the association or its manager. In Hillsborough County, tax-bill collections follow the same discount and delinquency schedule shown by the Tax Collector.

How CDD fees work in Apollo Beach

Most Apollo Beach communities with a CDD have two charges. One pays the bonds that financed roads, utilities, and amenities. The other covers operations and maintenance. Debt service is usually a fixed annual amount per lot per bond series. Ongoing operations can change each year with the district’s adopted budget.

If the district certifies assessments to the tax roll, both lines appear on your November property tax bill as non ad valorem assessments. Early payment discounts and delinquency rules apply through the county’s system. If you want to know the exact figure for a specific home, ask for the current adopted budget and assessment chart for that district.

CDD cost examples in Apollo Beach

CDD totals vary by community and lot type. Here are published ranges from recent fiscal-year charts so you can see the scale. Always verify the current chart before you buy.

• Waterset Central CDD. FY 2024 to 2025 chart shows total annual assessments that range roughly from about $1,834 to $3,598 by unit type. See the district’s assessment chart for exact lines. View the chart.
• Waterset North CDD. FY 2024 to 2025 chart shows totals for typical single-family lots roughly $1,590 to $3,534, which vary by lot size and bond series. View the chart.
• Harbour Isles CDD. FY 2025 chart shows representative per-lot totals such as about $2,462 for a 70-foot lot up to about $3,152 for a 90-foot lot. View the chart.

These figures are district-published and apply to specific fiscal years and product types. Your total will depend on the exact phase, lot type, and bond series tied to your property.

HOA dues: what to expect

HOA dues in Apollo Beach vary widely. Smaller or maintenance-only associations may be modest. Master associations with staffed amenities can be several hundred dollars per month. For exact amounts, review the HOA budget, community documents, and any special-assessment history under Chapter 720.

When you are under contract, you will request an HOA estoppel certificate. Florida’s statute sets required contents, timelines, and fee limits for estoppels. You can review those rules in Section 720.30851.

How fees impact affordability

Lenders usually include HOA dues in your monthly housing expense. Property taxes and non ad valorem assessments, which often include CDD assessments, are also part of the calculation. That means CDD and HOA charges affect what you can qualify for, not just your take-home budget. For a quick primer on how lenders view housing expenses and front-end DTI, see this overview.

Buyer due diligence checklist

Use this checklist early, ideally before or as you go under contract.

• Request the CDD’s current adopted budget and the latest assessment chart for the exact unit or lot type. If you need specifics for Waterset or Harbour Isles, use the district charts linked above.
• Confirm whether the CDD collects on the county tax roll. If so, plan around the discount and delinquency dates shown by the Hillsborough County Tax Collector.
• Ask if the debt-service portion is fixed by bond series and how long it is scheduled to run. The assessment chart usually lists the series and per-lot amount.
• Review CDD board minutes for planned projects that could affect operations and maintenance assessments in upcoming fiscal years.
• Order the HOA estoppel certificate early. Verify the regular assessment amount, any special assessments, transfer fees, and whether the estoppel has an expiration date under Florida’s statute.
• Share the CDD and HOA documents with your lender. Make sure underwriting reflects the correct monthly costs.
• Have your title company check for unpaid assessments and confirm how any balances will be handled at closing.

Liens, collections, and payoff

CDD non ad valorem assessments can be placed on the tax roll and are collected similar to property taxes under Florida law. Unpaid amounts can lead to tax-certificate style remedies. HOA assessments can also become liens if unpaid, and associations have collection tools under Chapter 720.

Some owners choose to request a bond payoff quote to retire the CDD debt portion. Whether this is possible and how it is priced depends on the bond documents and the trustee’s procedures. District sites often list a payoff contact. For example, Harbour Isles posts contact information on its district website. Always obtain a written payoff statement before making decisions.

Final thoughts

CDD and HOA fees are normal parts of many Apollo Beach communities. When you know how they are structured, where to find the real numbers, and how they affect your mortgage, you can buy with confidence. If you want help pulling the right documents and budgeting with clarity, connect with Katerina White for a local, step-by-step plan.

FAQs

Will CDD fees in Apollo Beach show on my Hillsborough County tax bill?

• If the district uses the county tax roll, CDD assessments appear as non ad valorem lines on your property tax bill and follow the county’s discount and delinquency schedule.

Are CDD assessments permanent on Apollo Beach homes?

• The debt-service portion usually runs until the bonds are paid, while operations and maintenance is set each fiscal year and can change with the district’s adopted budget.

How do HOA dues differ from CDD fees in Apollo Beach communities?

• HOA dues are billed by a private association for common-area operations, while CDD assessments are public charges that often appear on your tax bill for infrastructure debt and maintenance.

Can I pay off the CDD debt when buying in Apollo Beach?

• Sometimes, yes, if the bond documents allow it. You must request a written payoff quote from the district or trustee and confirm procedures and fees.

What is an HOA estoppel and why do I need it when purchasing in Apollo Beach?

• An estoppel certificate lists what the seller owes and the regular assessment amount, and it helps prevent surprises at closing because it shows fees, special assessments, and transfer charges.