HOA and CDD fees near Disney World, explained

A CDD assessment pays for a community's public infrastructure through a local special district, while HOA dues pay a private association to run the community. Many newer communities near Disney World have both, and they're separate charges.

What is a CDD?

A Community Development District is what Florida law calls a local unit of special-purpose government, created under Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes. It can provide public improvements and community facilities, and it pays for them through taxes or assessments on the property inside the district.

The charge is set each year by the district's governing board, and it comes on top of county and other local taxes.

What is an HOA?

A homeowners association is a private organization set up by a community's recorded documents. Its dues usually pay for the shared services and amenities the community provides, and its covenants set rules for how homes and common areas are used.

CDD and HOA, side by side

Topic	CDD	HOA
Who runs it	A special-purpose local government	A private association
Authority	Chapter 190, Florida Statutes	The community's recorded documents
Who sets the charge	The district's governing board, each year	The association, under its documents

What must you be told before you sign?

Florida law requires two different disclosures, and both matter.

For a CDD: a contract for the first sale of a parcel or home in the district must carry a disclosure about the district's taxes and assessments. It has to appear right before the buyer's signature line, in bold type larger than the rest of the contract.

For a mandatory HOA: the buyer must get a disclosure summary before signing the sale contract. If the contract doesn't come with one, the buyer can void it by written notice within 3 days of receiving the summary or before closing, whichever comes first.

How much will you pay?

It depends on the community, and sometimes on the lot. I don't publish a typical range, because a statewide average won't tell you what a specific home costs. Get the real numbers for the address you're considering.

What should you ask before you sign?

1. What's the current annual CDD assessment on this exact lot?
2. How much of it repays debt, and how much covers operations?
3. What are the HOA dues, and what do they cover?
4. Are any special assessments planned?
5. What did a similar finished home in this community pay on its last tax bill?

Compare full monthly costs, not list prices. Part of living near the magic is knowing exactly what it costs, and a home with a lower price can still cost more each month.

Want the numbers for a specific home?

Call me with the community or address, and I'll help you find the current figures before you tour.