Lower your Lee County property taxes
The Lee County Property Appraiser sets just values for Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and the rest of the county as of January 1. Storm repairs, flood risk and a shifting resale market mean two similar homes can be worth very different amounts. 30% of first-year savings, only if you save.
What a too-high value costs you
If your home is assessed at $410,000 but similar homes point to about $375,000, you're taxed on $35,000 too much. At a 1.45% rate that's about $508 a year. Our fee would be $152; you'd keep $355.
What gets missed in Lee County
- Rentals and second homes. Non-homestead homes only get a 10% cap on non-school taxes, so an inflated market value hits these owners hardest.
- Storm damage and repairs. Damage or unfinished repairs on January 1 may not be reflected in the value.
- The reset after a purchase. A sale resets the home to full market value the next January 1. New owners often inherit a value built on a peak-price sale.
- Save Our Homes keeps rising. If your capped value is below market value, it can still climb up to 3% a year even in a flat Lee County market. Appeals matter most when the market value itself is wrong.
Insider tip: You can ask the Property Appraiser for an informal conference any time of year — but only a VAB petition filed within 25 days of the TRIM mailing protects your right to a hearing.
Reviewed by the founder
Julien reviews every Lee County case personally and tells you the value we’ll ask for before anything is filed.
Get my free reviewLee County calendar
| January 1, 2027 | Valuation date — just value is measured as of this day |
| March 1, 2027 | Deadline to apply for homestead and other exemptions |
| Mid-August 2027 | TRIM notice (Notice of Proposed Property Taxes) mailed |
| 25 days after TRIM | Deadline to petition the Value Adjustment Board — the date is printed on your notice |
| 15 days before your hearing | Evidence must reach the Property Appraiser |
| Fall 2027 – early 2028 | Special magistrate hearings and decisions |
| November 2027 | Tax bills mailed; 4% discount for paying in November |
| April 1, 2028 | Taxes delinquent — at least 75% must be paid by then to keep a value petition alive |
Sources: Lee County Clerk — filing a VAB petition · Lee County Property Appraiser — important dates · Lee County Property Appraiser — 2025 millage book. Dates are checked each year; confirm with the county for your property.
Exemptions to check
Homestead takes up to $50,000 off your home's assessed value (the second $25,000 doesn't apply to school taxes), and Save Our Homes limits yearly increases to 3% or the CPI change, whichever is lower. Widow(er), disability, disabled veteran and qualifying senior exemptions can add more; apply by March 1. We check your exemptions free at sign-up.
Lee County questions
How do I file in Lee County?
Online through the Clerk's VAB petition system, or on paper. The fee is $30 per petition ($15 for portability), plus 3.5% for card payments online.
Is there a fee for a homestead denial appeal?
No. Fees are waived for homestead exemption disapprovals and tax deferral denials.
When are tax bills mailed?
In November. Paying in November earns a 4% discount, falling to 1% in February.