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Lee County · FL

Property taxes in Fort Myers

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Property taxes in Fort Myers are set by several taxing authorities. The Lee County Tax Collector bills them once a year. The home's location, inside the city or in unincorporated Lee County, changes which authorities appear on the bill.

How is a Fort Myers property tax bill built?

The Lee County Property Appraiser sets the value as of January 1. It also applies exemptions and caps. The taxing authorities set the millage rates. They include the City of Fort Myers for homes inside city limits, Lee County, the school board, fire districts 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, proposed taxes and the dates of budget hearings. That is the time to question a value or speak at a hearing.

How does the homestead exemption work?

Is the home your permanent residence on January 1? Then 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 Fort Myers 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 assessed-value increases. It is applied automatically. But the cap does not apply to school board levies.

A sale resets the value. When ownership changes before January 1, the prior owner's Save Our Homes or 10% cap benefit is removed. The assessed value then 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. It 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. Many newer planned communities south and east of the city have one or both.

When are Fort Myers 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 Fort Myers cost of living page. Estimate a payment with the mortgage calculator.

Common questions

When is the homestead deadline in Fort Myers?

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, not the seller's bill.

Is there a discount for paying Fort Myers 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: Cape Coral city; Fort Myers city; Lehigh Acres CDP; North Fort Myers CDP; Lee County, Florida, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. QuickFacts: Fort Myers Shores CDP; San Carlos Park CDP; Three Oaks CDP; Gateway CDP, Florida, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Utilities, City of Fort Myers (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Solid Waste, City of Fort Myers (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Parks (Royal Palm Preservation Program), City of Fort Myers (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Edison and Ford Winter Estates (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Florida Repertory Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Florida Gulf Coast University, FGCU (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Florida SouthWestern State College, FSW (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Sports Development (Lee Health Sports Complex, JetBlue Park), Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Lakes Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Manatee Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Student Enrollment Plan 2026-2027 (Board approved December 1, 2025), The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  17. School Zones, The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Hurricane Season, City of Fort Myers (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian (AL092022), NOAA National Hurricane Center (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Flood Insurance, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Wind Mitigation Resources, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Florida Statutes 689.302 (flood disclosure in sale of real property), The Florida Senate (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Florida Case Study, International Code Council (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage, Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Southwest Florida International Airport, Lee County Port Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Lee County Tolls - LeeWay, Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Lee Health Fast Facts, Lee Health (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Walk Score, Walk Score (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Solid Waste (Find My Waste Pickup Days), Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Wild Turkey Strand Preserve, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  31. Sales and Use Tax, Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  32. Discretionary Sales Surtax Information for Calendar Year 2026 (DR-15DSS), Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  33. Do I have to file a personal income tax return in Florida?, Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Real Estate Property Taxes, Lee County Tax Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  35. General Exemption Information, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference (Portability), Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  37. 10% Assessment Limitation Frequently Asked Questions, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  38. TRIM Information (six factors that increase taxes; ownership change resets caps), Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  39. Senate Passes Historic $250,000 Property Tax Cut for Florida Homeowners (HJR 1-F), June 2, 2026, The Florida Senate (read 2026-09-24)
  40. Florida Statutes 190.048 (sale of real estate within a community development district; required disclosure), The Florida Senate (read 2026-09-24)
  41. Florida Statutes 515.27 (residential swimming pool safety feature options), The Florida Senate (read 2026-09-24)
  42. Inspections (milestone inspections and structural integrity reserve studies), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Condominiums (read 2026-09-24)
  43. 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program Types, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (read 2026-09-24)
  44. Selling Guide B5-3.2-01, HomeStyle Renovation Mortgages, Fannie Mae (read 2026-09-24)
  45. 2025-2026 School Grades Report (district grade issued by FLDOE July 1, 2026), The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  46. Charter School Frequently Asked Questions, The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  47. School Grades, Florida Department of Education (read 2026-09-24)
  48. Community Development Department (permitting and inspections for unincorporated Lee County), Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  49. External Affairs Service Area Map (counties served, including Lee), Florida Power & Light (read 2026-09-24)
  50. About LCEC, LCEC (read 2026-09-24)
  51. Building, Permitting & Inspections (BPI), Community Development Department, City of Fort Myers (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.