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Lee County · FL

Property taxes in Bonita Springs

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Property taxes in Bonita Springs are set by the city, Lee County, the school board and special districts. The Lee County Tax Collector then bills them once a year. The city also adds a small stormwater assessment to the bill.

How is a Bonita Springs property tax bill built?

The Lee County Property Appraiser sets the value as of January 1 and applies exemptions and caps. Then the taxing bodies set the millage rates. These include the City of Bonita Springs, Lee County, the school board, Bonita Fire Control and other special districts. The Property Appraiser does not set your tax amount.

Before rates are final, the Property Appraiser mails a TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice. It shows the proposed value, exemptions and proposed taxes. It also lists the dates of budget hearings. That is the time to question a value or speak at a hearing.

How does the homestead exemption work?

If the home is your permanent residence on January 1, file for homestead with the Lee County Property Appraiser by March 1. The first $25,000 of assessed value is exempt from all property taxes. For tax year 2026, up to $26,411 more is exempt from non-school taxes on value above $50,000.

After that, the Save Our Homes cap limits yearly increases in assessed value to 3%. Other exemptions exist for seniors with limited income, widows and widowers, and people with disabilities.

Can I bring my Save Our Homes benefit from another Florida home?

Yes, through portability. You can move up to $500,000 of the Save Our Homes benefit to a new Florida homestead. You must set up the new homestead within three years of leaving the old one. File form DR-501T with your homestead application.

What if the Bonita Springs home is not my primary residence?

Second homes, rentals and vacant lots do not get homestead. Most non-homestead property gets a 10% cap on yearly increases in assessed value. It applies on its own. But the cap does not apply to school board levies.

A sale resets the value. When the owner changes before January 1, the prior owner's Save Our Homes or 10% cap benefit ends. The assessed value resets to market value. Do not budget from the seller's tax bill.

Are there CDD or HOA charges to plan for?

Some Florida communities are inside a Community Development District (CDD). A CDD can levy its own taxes or assessments on top of county taxes. The sales contract must disclose this in bold type. The assessment can appear on the property tax bill. HOA dues are billed separately by the association. The city also adds a yearly stormwater assessment under its 2019 program. It is $20 for homes under 1,800 square feet and $50 for larger ones.

When are Bonita Springs property taxes due?

Bills go out in November and are due by March 31. Paying early earns a discount: 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February.

A proposed constitutional amendment, HJR 1-F, is on the November 2026 ballot. If voters approve it, the homestead exemption for non-school levies would rise. It would be $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with a different amount for new residents. Check the final result before you budget.

Compare the full budget on the Bonita Springs cost of living page. Then estimate a payment with the mortgage calculator.

Common questions

When is the homestead deadline in Bonita Springs?

File with the Lee County Property Appraiser by March 1 of the year you qualify. You must own and live in the home as your permanent residence on January 1 of that year.

Why will my taxes be higher than the seller's?

A sale resets the assessed value to market value on the next January 1. That removes the seller's Save Our Homes or 10% cap benefit. Estimate taxes from the purchase price and current rates instead of the seller's bill.

Is there a discount for paying Bonita Springs property taxes early?

Yes. The Lee County Tax Collector gives 4% off in November, 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February. The full amount is due by March 31.

What is on the November 2026 ballot about property taxes?

HJR 1-F would raise the homestead exemption on non-school levies to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It would also lower the yearly assessment cap on non-residential property from 10% to 5%. It needs voter approval to take effect.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Bonita Springs city, Florida, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. Stormwater & Drainage, City of Bonita Springs (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Flood Protection Information, City of Bonita Springs (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Post Storm Permitting Guide, City of Bonita Springs (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Frequently Asked Questions, City of Bonita Springs (read 2026-09-24)
  6. New Waste Management Single Day Collection Incoming, City of Bonita Springs (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Bonita Springs Parks & Recreation, City of Bonita Springs (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Bonita Beach Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Lovers Key State Park, Florida State Parks (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Everglades Wonder Gardens, Bonita Wonder Gardens (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Southwest Florida International Airport, Lee County Port Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  12. LeeTran home (ULTRA On Demand in Bonita Springs), Lee County (LeeTran) (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Student Enrollment Plan 2026-2027, School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Florida Statutes 509.032 (vacation rentals), Florida Legislature (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Disaster and Flood Related Frequently Asked Questions, Village of Estero (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Community Development, City of Bonita Springs (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Sales and Use Tax, Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Discretionary Sales Surtax Information for Calendar Year 2026 (DR-15DSS), Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Do I have to file a personal income tax return in Florida?, Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Real Estate Property Taxes, Lee County Tax Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  21. General Exemption Information, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference (Portability), Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  23. 10% Assessment Limitation Frequently Asked Questions, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  24. TRIM Information (six factors that increase taxes; ownership change resets caps), Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Senate Passes Historic $250,000 Property Tax Cut for Florida Homeowners (HJR 1-F), June 2, 2026, The Florida Senate (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Florida Statutes 190.048 (sale of real estate within a community development district; required disclosure), The Florida Senate (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Florida Statutes 515.27 (residential swimming pool safety feature options), The Florida Senate (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Inspections (milestone inspections and structural integrity reserve studies), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Condominiums (read 2026-09-24)
  29. 2025-2026 School Grades Report (district grade issued by FLDOE July 1, 2026), The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Charter School Frequently Asked Questions, The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  31. School Grades, Florida Department of Education (read 2026-09-24)
  32. Midtown rises as Bonita Springs growth shifts east (Revana Lakes approval, October 2025), Gulfshore Business (read 2026-09-24)
  33. Flood Insurance, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Wind Mitigation Resources, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Florida Case Study, International Code Council (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Hurricane Season, City of Fort Myers (read 2026-09-24)
  37. Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian (AL092022), NOAA National Hurricane Center (read 2026-09-24)
  38. School Zones, The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  39. Walk Score, Walk Score (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.