The preliminary property tax valuations for the islands have risen over the earlier estimates.
The Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office released its 2026 preliminary tax roll values on July 1, which now indicate a 8.15% increase for the city of Sanibel, along with a 4.56% rise for Captiva as part of unincorporated Lee County. The valuations for both of the island fire districts also saw increases.
“The release of the tax roll values starts the process that allows jurisdictions and other taxing authorities to hold public hearings and set proposed ad valorem tax rates that will apply to property in Lee County,” Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell reported in a prepared statement.
According to the new valuations, the city’s taxable value climbed about $456.63 million from $5.60 billion — 8.15% — to $6.06 billion. Assessed value rose 8.11% to $6.43 billion, up $482.77 million from $5.95 billion. Just value increased 1.27% to $7.10 billion, up $88.97 million from $7.01 billion.
Also for Sanibel, taxable new construction increased from approximately $37.05 million to $63.20 million. In addition, just new construction saw a drop from $914.36 million to $724.15 million.
The county’s valuations, which include Captiva, show about a $6.82 billion rise in taxable value, from $149.52 billion — 4.56% — to $156.34 billion. Assessed value increased 4.65% to $180.28 billion, up $8.01 billion from $172.26 billion. Just value decreased 0.96% to $217.73 billion, down $2.10 billion from $219.83 billion.
Also for Lee County, taxable new construction decreased from approximately $5.13 billion to $4.73 billion, and just new construction dropped from $7.19 billion to $6.57 billion. As for the county’s taxable school value, it increased $3.31 billion to $171.79 billion, rising 1.96% from $168.49 billion.
In addition, valuations for the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District and Captiva Island Fire Control District, plus the Upper Captiva Fire District, increased year-over-year, according to the preliminary tax roll.
The Sanibel district experienced a 8.15% rise to about $6.06 billion, up $456.66 million from $5.60 billion. The Captiva district saw a 6.93% increase to $1.85 billion, up $119.75 million from $1.73 billion. The Upper Captiva district rose 13.29% to $386.74 million, up $45.36 million from $341.39 million.
Caldwell reminded the public that the Property Appraiser’s Office will send out individual Notices of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM Notices) in mid-August once the proposed tax rates are set.
The final figures will be sent to Tallahassee for approval.
For more information or questions, contact trim@leepa.org or 239-533-6100.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email