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Call us for all of your Sanibel Island Real Estate needs toll free at (800) 553-7338, ext. 219 for Jim and ext. 202 for Penny
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Know the Coastal Construction Control Line  If you are going to buy property near the
Gulf of Mexico, among other things, you need to understand the Coastal
Construction Control Line. The first line was set by Florida in 1974 to enhance
beach conservation efforts; construction between the line and the beach had to
be permitted by the state to ensure environmental protection. Sanibel took its
effort to retain the island's beauty a step further and banned all construction
between the 1974 line and the beach. That action made our island different from
the crowded, built up areas visitors see through out the state.
In 1991, Florida re-addressed the issue,
moving the CCC line further inland. Sanibel's City Council decided not to
extend its construction ban to include property within the new area because so
many resorts and homes were already in place. City officials decided to keep
the ban on building with in the 1974 line and let the state regulate
construction for the new line. To find out how this and other local
regulations might effect your purchase you need us on your side.
ECO-ZONES
Keeping our islands free from urban problems
which plague some cities takes planning and an understanding of what makes our
area different from others in Florida.
SANIBEL ISLAND IS DIVIDED INTO NINE
DEVELOPMENT ECO-ZONES RANGING FROM THOSE THAT CAN NEVER BE BUILT ON, TO THOSE
ALLOWING A MAXIMUM OF 35 PERCENT COVERAGE. HOW MUCH CAN BE BUILT DEPENDS IN
PART ON THE ECO-ZONE IN WHICH THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED.
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GULF BEACH: limited to passive
recreation and conservation - NO BUILDING.
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BAY BEACH: limited to passive
recreation and conservation - NO BUILDING.
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MANGROVE: a minimum lot size for
construction is 20 acres. Coverage is limited to 1 percent; developed area to 2
percent.
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LOWLAND/WETLANDS: minimum lot
size is 20,000 square feet. Permitted coverage is 15 percent; developed area is
20 percent.
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UPLAND/WETLANDS: minimum lot size
is 15,000 square feet. Coverage is limited to 25 percent and developed area to
30 percent.
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BLIND PASS: minimum lot size is
20,000 square feet. Coverage is permitted to 25 percent and developed area to
30 percent.
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ALTERED LAND: minimum lot size is
10,000 square feet. Permitted coverage is 35 percent (30 percent for anything
more than 10,000 square feet) plus 5 percent for additional developed area.
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GULF BEACH RIDGE: Minimum lot
size is 20,000 square feet, coverage is limited to 25 percent and developed
area to 30 percent. When clearing a lot for construction, certain species of
plants must be removed including Brazilian Pepper, Maleluca and sometimes,
Australian pines. Other plants must be moved or retained including all native
species 3 feet or taller and cabbage palms. Buildings above a certain height
must angle in from all edges of the property, including street and waterfront.
Setbacks from a side lot line, 10 feet for all structures, including overhangs.
From water, setbacks are 20 feet from theaverage high water
line.
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From the bay, setbacks are 50
feet from the average high water line.
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From the Gulf, all construction
must be behind the 1974 Coastal Construction Setback line per City of Sanibel
regulations and behind the 1991 Coastal Construction Control Line per Florida
regulations if you want to avoid state permitting requirements.
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From the street, construction must
be:
- 50 feet from centerline of all
non-thoroughfare or feeder roads
- 75 feet from centerline of main roads
or arterials
- 100 feet from Periwinkle Way and
Causeway Road
As much as 320 square feet of dockage
can be built on man-made canals with a minimum of documentation.
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On natural or man made waterways,
160 square feet of dock space can be built, but requires extensive permit and
survey work.
 Call or email us for help, or to have your questions answered. There are no dumb questions! Fill out this form and we'll get right back to you... 
Selling Your Home >Selling and What Really Works
If you are trying to sell your home quickly, some real estate agents may recommend that you offer a bonus to the agent who brings in the buyer. They feel that a monetary incentive will cause an agent to push your house over the one down the street. Do such bonuses work?
You cannot expect a bonus to sell an overpriced house or overcome housekeeping shortcomings that detract from your home's overall appeal. If your house looks great and is priced right, offering a bonus to the real estate agent could help it sell more quickly. Agents earn their reputations by helping people find homes that they love. When deciding which homes to show prospective buyers, their decision will be based on whether the home will meet their needs. If the Multiple Listing Service indicates that a bonus is being offered, it could encourage more agents to preview the house and result in more showings.
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| Q |
What famous American sign was originally erected as a real estate ad?
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| A |
The Hollywood sign, built in 1923, was conceived as a real estate ad that originally read, "Hollywoodland." |
See More Real Estate Trivia > |
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