Sell Land in Hendry County & LaBelle, FL

Hendry County land sells on access, uplands, and how close it is to Lee County growth. Platted Port LaBelle lots and LaBelle-area homesites sell to builders and investors, while rural and agricultural acreage around Felda and Clewiston sells to ranchers, farmers and long-term holders. You can sell by listing, selling to a neighbor, or taking a direct cash offer, and most buyers will ask about well and septic, road access and agricultural classification.

This guide covers LaBelle, Port LaBelle, Clewiston and Felda: what the land is, which records to check, and how to sell. If you also own across the county line, see our Lee County land guide and Collier County land guide.

Hendry County at a glance

Hendry is rural, but it’s growing fast. The U.S. Census Bureau counted 39,619 residents in 2020 and estimated 48,276 by July 2025, a 21.8% increase. The county covers about 1,156 square miles of land, with Lake Okeechobee to the north and the Caloosahatchee River running through it. It was created in 1923 and has two incorporated cities, LaBelle and Clewiston. The county seat is LaBelle.

Much of the county is working land, from cattle ranches to sugarcane fields. The Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation is in the south. Vacant-land sellers generally own one of two kinds of property:

Platted subdivision lots in Port LaBelle and around LaBelle.
Rural and agricultural acreage across the rest of the county.

LaBelle

LaBelle sits on the south side of the Caloosahatchee River where State Road 80 and State Road 29 cross. Fort Myers is about 30 miles west on SR 80. The city had 4,966 residents in the 2020 Census and an estimated 5,754 in 2025. It’s best known for the Swamp Cabbage Festival each February.

LaBelle is the natural next step east for buyers priced out of Lee County. Land in and around the city includes in-town residential lots, small acreage homesites on the edges of town, and commercial frontage along SR 80 and SR 29. Parcels inside city limits follow the City of LaBelle’s zoning and permitting. Parcels outside follow Hendry County’s. If you want to sell land in LaBelle, start by confirming which jurisdiction governs your parcel.

Port LaBelle: platted subdivision lots

Port LaBelle is a census-designated place just east of LaBelle. It extends from Hendry County north into Glades County and had 5,450 residents in 2020. It was created as a large planned community by General Development Corporation. The Port LaBelle Community Development District was set up in 1982 and originally covered about 32,000 acres.

Key points for Port LaBelle lot owners:

Most lots are still vacant. Much of the subdivision was platted decades ago and never built out, so there are many lots and a limited pool of builders at any one time.
The Port LaBelle CDD maintains district streets, street signs, greenbelts, street lighting and mosquito control. It is funded by an ad valorem levy that shows on your tax bill. The district lists a FY 2024-2025 millage of 3.7732 and says it no longer collects capital assessments from new landowners.
Utilities vary by lot. Hendry County’s Port LaBelle Utility System serves over 3,900 customers. Some lots can connect to county water or sewer and others need a well and septic. Ask the utility about availability and connection fees for your specific lot before you price it.
Glades County lots in the Port LaBelle area are taxed and permitted by Glades County, not Hendry. Check the county on your tax bill.

Port LaBelle lots compete with Lehigh Acres lots for the same entry-level builders and investors. When Lehigh inventory gets tight or expensive, some of that demand moves east. Out-of-state owners in both markets face the same questions. Our post on selling a Lehigh Acres lot from out of state applies almost word for word to Port LaBelle.

Clewiston

Clewiston sits on the south shore of Lake Okeechobee along US 27. Its official motto is “America’s Sweetest Town,” and U.S. Sugar Corporation has its headquarters and mill there. The city had 7,327 residents in 2020 and an estimated 7,594 in 2025, much slower growth than the LaBelle side of the county.

Land around Clewiston includes in-town lots, commercial parcels on US 27, and large agricultural tracts. Buyers are mostly local: builders, farm operators and investors who know the area. Because it’s farther from Lee County, Clewiston land usually sees less spillover demand than LaBelle-area land.

Felda and rural Hendry

Felda is an unincorporated community on State Road 29 between LaBelle and Immokalee, historically known for tomato and cucumber farming. The countryside around Felda and the rest of rural Hendry holds larger acreage: pasture, groves, ranchettes and wooded tracts.

Rural acreage is priced differently from subdivision lots. Buyers look at total uplands, fencing and water, road frontage on a paved state or county road, and whether the land can be split. A 10-acre tract on a paved road with good uplands draws more buyers than a larger tract reached by a private easement. For land with no recorded access at all, see selling landlocked land in Florida.

Curious what your Hendry land is worth? Try our lot value tool for a quick range, or ask for a cash offer on your Hendry County land. We usually respond within 24 hours.

Agricultural classification (“greenbelt”)

Florida’s agricultural classification, often called the greenbelt law, is in section 193.461, Florida Statutes. Here’s how it works:

Who decides: The property appraiser classifies all land each year as agricultural or nonagricultural.
Deadline: Land can’t be classified as agricultural unless a return is filed on or before March 1.
What qualifies: Only land used for “bona fide agricultural purposes,” defined as good faith commercial agricultural use. The appraiser may look at how long and how continuously the land has been farmed, the purchase price, whether the size fits the use, whether it is maintained with accepted commercial practices, and lease terms.
How it’s taxed: Classified land is assessed on its agricultural use value rather than market value, which can mean a much lower tax bill.

For sellers, the important point is that listing land for sale does not by itself remove the classification. The statute says land keeps it if it continues to be used primarily for bona fide agriculture while offered for sale. Once the land changes hands or stops being farmed, the buyer’s taxes may change, and they should confirm with the Hendry County Property Appraiser whether they need to file their own application. A cattle lease or active grove adds value for buyers who want to keep the classification.

Well, septic and access

Most rural Hendry parcels, and many Port LaBelle and LaBelle-area lots, have no central water or sewer. A buyer planning to build will need a private well and a septic system. Florida DEP has set the septic rules since July 1, 2021, and the county health department still handles septic permits and inspections. Soil type, seasonal high water and flood zone determine the type of system and how much fill is needed.

Access matters just as much. A lot on a paved, county-maintained road is worth more than one on a dirt road, a private road or a road that exists only on the plat map. Before you sell, check whether your road is maintained and whether you have legal, recorded access. Check your flood zone on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, since parts of the county near the river and the lake are low.

Growth pressure from Lee County

The 21.8% county population jump between 2020 and 2025 is the clearest sign that Lee County growth is moving east. SR 80 connects LaBelle to Fort Myers, and the corridor through Alva and eastern Lee County is the bridge between the two markets. Buyers who used to look only in Lehigh Acres or Alva now look at LaBelle and Port LaBelle too.

That doesn’t mean every Hendry parcel is rising in value. Spillover demand goes first to buildable lots with road access and a reasonable drive to Fort Myers. Remote, wet or landlocked acreage is still a slow sale. For a wider view, the land exit strategies guide explains how builders, investors and end users each value land in this region.

Records to pull before you sell

Hendry County Property Appraiser

The official Hendry County Property Appraiser website has parcel search and maps showing owner, legal description, acreage, land use, agricultural classification and assessed values. Watch out for privately run look-alike sites that use similar names. Use the official office’s site and your parcel ID.

Hendry County Tax Collector

Florida property taxes are due November 1 and become delinquent April 1 (section 197.333, Florida Statutes). The Hendry County Tax Collector gives a 4% discount for payment by November 30, then 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February. The full amount is due by March 31. After taxes go delinquent they are advertised, and the tax certificate sale begins on or before June 1. Under section 197.502, a certificate holder can apply for a tax deed once two years have passed since April 1 of the year of issuance. The Hendry County Clerk runs tax deed sales online. If you’re behind on taxes, read how to sell land with back taxes in Florida.

What drives Hendry land value

Factor	Why it matters
Distance to Lee County	LaBelle-side land draws more spillover buyers than eastern Hendry
Paved, maintained road	Buyers and lenders prefer legal, maintained access
Uplands and flood zone	Drives fill cost, elevation and insurance
Water and sewer availability	A lot with county water in Port LaBelle is easier to build on
Agricultural use and leases	Active ag use can keep taxes low for a buyer
Acreage and split potential	Larger tracts that can be divided appeal to investors
Title condition	Old GDC-era lots often have heirs, estates or tax issues

We don’t quote price ranges for Hendry land because comparable sales vary widely. Our guide on how to comp vacant land shows how to find real sold comps, and our Florida land due diligence checklist lists what a buyer will verify.

How to sell land in Hendry County

Find your parcel ID and confirm the county. This matters most for Port LaBelle lots near the Glades line.
Check taxes, CDD levies and liens. Unpaid amounts are usually paid from your proceeds at closing.
Check access, utilities and flood zone.
Choose how to sell. A direct cash offer for your land is the fastest route. Owner financing can bring a higher total price on rural acreage, and subject-to terms can work if there’s an existing mortgage.
Close with a Florida title company. It clears title and records the deed.

Many older Hendry lots are held by heirs who live out of state. If that’s you, read selling inherited land in Florida and our page on selling probate land. Lots with county code fines can still be sold. See selling land with code liens. Spanish-speaking owners can visit our Spanish-language page.

Wholesalers with LaBelle or Port LaBelle contracts can send us land deals. Read wholesaling land in Florida and our land buy box to see what we close on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Port LaBelle in Hendry County or Glades County?

Both. Port LaBelle is a census-designated place that extends from Hendry County north into Glades County. Your tax bill shows which county your lot is in, and that county handles its taxes and permits.

Do Port LaBelle lots have water and sewer?

Some do. Hendry County’s Port LaBelle Utility System serves over 3,900 customers, but availability depends on the lot. Many lots in the area still need a private well and septic system, so check with the utility for your specific parcel.

What is agricultural (greenbelt) classification in Hendry County?

Under section 193.461, Florida Statutes, the property appraiser can classify land used for good faith commercial agriculture as agricultural and tax it on use value. A return must be filed by March 1.

Will I lose my ag classification if I put my land up for sale?

Not just for listing it. The statute says land keeps its classification if it continues to be used primarily for bona fide agricultural purposes while offered for sale. A new owner should confirm with the property appraiser whether they need to apply.

Is Lee County growth reaching LaBelle?

Yes. Hendry County’s population grew an estimated 21.8% from 2020 to 2025, according to the Census Bureau. Buildable lots with road access near LaBelle feel that demand first.

When do Hendry County taxes become delinquent?

Taxes are delinquent April 1. The Hendry Tax Collector’s calendar shows the tax certificate sale beginning on or before June 1 for unpaid real estate taxes.

How quickly can I get a cash offer for Hendry land?

We usually send an offer within 24 hours of getting your parcel ID or address, and every sale closes through a Florida title company.

Ready to sell your LaBelle, Port LaBelle or rural Hendry land? Check your lot’s estimated value or request a cash offer today. You can also see how our process works or browse the Land Resource Center.

Selling Vacant Land in Hendry County & LaBelle, FL