Before First Acre finances any piece of land, we run it through the same six checks below. Every tool here is free and public — work through them in order and you'll know more about a parcel than most buyers ever learn.
Start with the public record. Confirm who actually owns the parcel, its true acreage and legal description, and whether the taxes are current. Delinquent taxes are an early warning sign — and sometimes a negotiating lever.
Owner of record, assessed value, acreage, legal description, and parcel maps. Always your first stop.
Interactive parcel viewer — see boundaries, neighbors, and aerial imagery side by side.
Check that property taxes are paid current. Unpaid taxes can lead to a tax certificate sale against the parcel.
Zoning decides what you're allowed to build — home, mobile home, barn, or nothing at all. Check the zoning district and the Future Land Use designation; both have to allow your plans.
Confirm zoning district, setbacks, minimum lot size, and permitted uses. Call them — they answer: (863) 763-5548.
The full rulebook (Municode). Look up your zoning district's lot standards and density limits directly.
Permit requirements for new construction — including site plan, soil compaction, and elevation certificate rules.
This is where land deals in South Florida die. A parcel in a Special Flood Hazard Area can mean costly insurance and elevated construction; mapped wetlands can make part — or all — of a parcel unbuildable without federal permits.
Enter the address or drop a pin to find the flood zone. Zone X is good news; AE or A means dig deeper.
Shows mapped wetlands on or near the parcel. Not a substitute for a formal delineation, but a strong first signal.
Drainage basins, canals, and environmental resource permits that may affect how water moves across the land.
Most rural Okeechobee parcels rely on a well and septic system. Florida's high water table means the soil has to pass evaluation before a septic permit is issued — if the ground can't take a drainfield, you can't build a home on it.
The local permitting authority for septic systems. A soil evaluation by a qualified site evaluator is required.
Statewide septic (OSTDS) standards, forms, and FAQ. Good background before you order a soil test.
Free soil maps by parcel. Look at drainage class and depth to water table before paying for testing.
A parcel without legal access is landlocked — and nearly worthless until that's cured. Confirm the road is public or that a recorded easement exists, then find out what it costs to bring in power.
A driveway connection (right-of-way) permit is required before a building permit is issued on county roads.
If the parcel fronts a state highway (like US-441 or SR-70), driveway permits go through FDOT, not the county.
Ask FPL for a line-extension estimate if power isn't already at the road — costs vary widely by distance.
Before money moves, verify the seller can actually convey clean title. A title company does the heavy lifting at closing — but these free checks help you spot problems before you're under contract.
Search official records for deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments recorded against the property or owner.
If an LLC owns the land, confirm it's active and see who has authority to sign the deed.
First Acre finances vacant land purchases in the Okeechobee area with straightforward fixed-rate terms — no bank required.
The links above are third-party public resources provided for general information only. First Acre LLC does not control and is not responsible for their content or accuracy, and nothing on this page is legal, environmental, or financial advice. Public maps and databases can be incomplete or out of date. Always verify parcel conditions with a licensed surveyor, a qualified soil/site evaluator, the relevant permitting agencies, and a title company before purchasing or financing land.