Improvement, Stewardship and Community Development Districts Explained
Supporting smart, sustainable growth for Florida’s future.
Florida continues to grow rapidly, with the state’s population expected to reach nearly 25.7 million by 2030. With ongoing growth comes an increased need for roads, utilities, stormwater systems, parks and other essential infrastructure that support complete, livable communities. Community districts — such as community development districts (CDD) and stewardship districts — provide a proven, transparent way to plan, fund and maintain infrastructure without shifting the cost to the general taxpayer.
These locally managed districts help build and maintain essential parts of our community, from roads and utilities to parks and stormwater systems, without burdening the general taxpayer. By organizing and financing infrastructure at the community level, these districts ensure that growth pays for itself while delivering lasting public benefits.
What Are Community Districts?
Improvement, stewardship and community development districts (CDD), or development districts, are special-purpose local governments created to plan, finance, construct and maintain community infrastructure. They work similarly to city and county governments to ensure neighborhoods and master-planned communities have the high-quality infrastructure they need to thrive.
These districts operate with transparency, are governed by local boards and give property owners a direct voice in how their communities grow and are maintained.
Improvement and Stewardship Districts
Improvement districts are large-scale, special purpose local govenment established to plan, finance and manage infrastructure for major master planned communities. They are often created for projects that take decades to complete and may include a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial centers and community amenities, such as parks, trails and civic spaces.
Community Development Districts (CDD)
Community development districts (CDD) are the most common type of community district in Florida. Typically serving residential neighborhoods and smaller master-planned communities, CDDs provide a framework for building and maintaining essential public infrastructure – such as roads, utilities, stormwater systems and parks – through transparent, locally governed boards that ensure communities are well-maintained for the long term.
Why They Work
Fiscally Responsible
Districts allow master planned communities to fund their own infrastructure, reducing the strain on local government budgets and taxpayers.
Enhanced Quality of Life
Thoughtfully planned infrastructure supports connected neighborhoods, mobility, flood protection, and access to parks and open space. These communities are designed to hold their value and get better over time.
Accountability and Transparency
District boards operate as public bodies subject to Florida’s open meetings, public records and ethics laws, with annual budget reviews and independent professional oversight.
Sustainable Planning
Districts help ensure infrastructure is built to meet community growth — often to full build-out standards — and maintained over the long term, while using predictable, long-term funding that spreads costs over time and reduces the need for surprise fees or special assessments.
A Proven Model for Florida’s Future
For decades, Florida’s framework for improvement and community development districts has served as a proven model for responsible and sustainable growth management. These districts balance the needs of development with fiscal responsibility, helping communities across Florida grow smarter, not just faster.
