We Buy Land in Pine Island, FL

Looking for a land buyer in Pine Island, FL? SWFL Land (Libera Capital Group LLC) is a direct cash buyer of vacant lots and acreage in Pine Island and across Lee County. Owners usually get an offer within 24 hours and close through a Florida title company. Wholesalers and agents can submit Pine Island land deals and usually hear back within 24 hours.

Pine Island Land We Buy

Pine Island land is some of the most regulated in Lee County, and it took repeated storm hits from 2022 to 2024. We buy across Greater Pine Island, including St. James City, Bokeelia and Matlacha:

Canal and waterfront lots, including lots where a home was destroyed or torn down after Hurricane Ian.
Interior residential lots in the island’s older neighborhoods.
Rural and agricultural acreage, including farm and fruit-grove land.
Commercial parcels along Pine Island Road and Stringfellow Road.
Problem parcels with back taxes, demolition or code liens, heirs, or wetlands.

We also buy on the mainland. See how we buy land in Cape Coral, just across Matlacha Pass, and in Fort Myers.

How Selling Pine Island Land Works

Send the STRAP number or address. You can check your lot’s value first.
We research the parcel. Here that means land use category, flood zone, storm damage, septic and liens.
You get a cash offer, usually within 24 hours, with no obligation.
A Florida title company closes. Taxes and liens are paid from the proceeds, and the deed is recorded. You can sign remotely with a notary.

If you’d like payments over time, ask about owner financing. The full process is on how it works.

About Land in Pine Island

The island and its communities

Pine Island is the largest island on the Gulf Coast of peninsular Florida. It has no significant beaches and is ringed by mangroves. Pine Island Road (County Road 78) is the only road to the mainland. It crosses Matlacha Pass through the fishing village of Matlacha, and Stringfellow Road runs about 16 miles down the island.

The island is unincorporated and made up of several communities. 2020 Census counts:

Community	Location	2020 population
St. James City	Southern half of the island	3,876
Pine Island Center	North-central, at Pine Island Rd and Stringfellow Rd	1,942
Bokeelia	Northern tip, on Charlotte Harbor	1,855
Matlacha	Small islands in Matlacha Pass	598

Pineland rounds out the island, which is also known for tropical fruit such as mangoes and lychee.

The Greater Pine Island community plan and density limits

Pine Island has its own chapter in the Lee Plan and its own article in the Land Development Code. The county adopted the Greater Pine Island community plan update on January 9, 2003, and adopted implementing regulations on May 29, 2007 (Ordinance 07-19). The key rules for land owners:

Coastal Rural density. Much of the island’s rural land is in the Coastal Rural category. Lee County says the maximum density is one dwelling unit per 2.7 acres, with up to one unit per acre possible if certain requirements are met. Developments must keep 50% to 70% open space depending on density. The higher density requires clustering homes on 30% of the site and keeping 70% as native habitat, restored habitat or farmland.
Transfer of development rights. The rules include a program that encourages owners to transfer density off the island, plus county purchase of development rights.
Traffic caps (the “810/910 rule”). Under Lee Plan Policy 14.2.2 and the 2007 code, once Pine Island Road at the western edge of Matlacha reaches 810 peak-hour trips, rezonings that add traffic generally can’t be granted. At 910 trips, residential development orders for land not designated Coastal Rural are limited to one-third of the maximum density otherwise allowed. A 2004 Lee County DOT memo documented 937 peak-hour trips, above the 910 threshold.
Height limit. The 2007 code caps buildings at 38 feet above average grade or 45 feet above mean sea level, whichever is lower.

What’s changing: In 2026, Lee County staff proposed removing 17 community plan chapters, including Greater Pine Island, from the Lee Plan and the code. After heavy public opposition, commissioners paused the effort on September 23, 2026, canceled the October 7 hearing and asked staff for a revised timeline with more public outreach. For now, the Pine Island rules still apply. Before pricing acreage on density, confirm your parcel’s future land use category with Lee County.

Water, septic and sewer

Drinking water comes from the Greater Pine Island Water Association, which has served the island since 1965. Most of the island has no central sewer, so homes use septic systems. A small private utility, Environmental Protection Systems of Pine Island, serves the Cherry Estates and Treasure Cove neighborhoods in St. James City. In 2021 the Greater Pine Island Civic Association formed a septic-to-sewer task force, citing impaired water in Matlacha Pass and Pine Island Sound.

Hurricane Ian and the storms since

Hurricane Ian made landfall on Cayo Costa, the barrier island that shelters Pine Island Sound, on September 28, 2022, as a Category 4 storm. The National Hurricane Center reported maximum inundation of 6 to 9 feet above ground in Pine Island, Cape Coral and other communities near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee. The surge badly damaged the Matlacha bridge and cut the island off until FDOT and Lee County opened a temporary crossing about a week later. Matlacha was largely devastated, and power grid repairs on the island ran into March 2023.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought more flooding in 2024. In June 2025, WGCU reported that the Greater Pine Island Alliance had helped about 200 homes and was still working on 102 more. Lee County has also approved demolishing unsafe Ian-damaged structures, including several in Matlacha, and placing the cost as a lien on the property.

In FEMA A and V zones, Lee County requires any structure whose repair or improvement cost reaches 50% of its market value to meet current flood rules, including elevation to base flood elevation plus one foot. Check your lot on Lee County’s Find My Flood Zone map, and see selling land after Hurricane Ian if your parcel was damaged.

Want to know what your Pine Island land is worth? Try our lot value tool or request a cash offer on your Pine Island property. We usually reply within 24 hours.

What Affects the Value of Pine Island Land

Future land use category. Coastal Rural density limits and the traffic cap decide how many homes acreage can support.
Water access. Canal lots with a clear route to open water sell best. Seawall and dock condition matter.
Flood zone and elevation. These drive building and insurance costs.
Storm condition. Debris, a damaged structure or a demolition lien comes off the price.
Septic feasibility. Most lots need a septic system that meets current rules.
Wetlands and mangroves. Protected areas limit the buildable footprint.

We don’t quote price ranges here. See how to comp vacant land.

Common Pine Island Selling Situations

Owners who won’t rebuild after Ian, Helene or Milton and want to sell the lot as is.
Demolition or code liens. See selling land with code liens.
Inherited island property. See selling probate land in Florida.
Back taxes after a storm year. Read selling land with back taxes.

Looking Up Your Lee County Parcel

Use the Lee County Property Appraiser (leepa.org) to confirm the owner, STRAP number, lot size and sales history. Its just value is a tax value, not a sale price. If the owner has died, read how to find who owns a lot in Lee County.

Under section 197.333, Florida Statutes, taxes are due November 1 and delinquent April 1. The Lee County Tax Collector adds a 3% charge at delinquency and holds a tax certificate sale by June. 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. For more, see our Lee County land guide and the Lee County land buying page.

Pine Island Land Selling FAQs

How many homes can I build on Coastal Rural land on Pine Island?

Lee County says the maximum is one unit per 2.7 acres, with up to one unit per acre if the development clusters homes and preserves 70% of the site as native habitat or farmland.

What is the Pine Island 810/910 rule?

It ties development to traffic on Pine Island Road at Matlacha. At 810 peak-hour trips, rezonings that add traffic are generally barred. At 910, residential development orders on non-Coastal Rural land are limited to one-third of the maximum density.

Is Lee County getting rid of the Pine Island plan?

Staff proposed removing it with 16 other community plans in 2026, but commissioners paused the effort on September 23, 2026. The Pine Island rules remain in place for now.

How bad was Hurricane Ian on Pine Island?

The National Hurricane Center reported inundation of 6 to 9 feet above ground in Pine Island. The Matlacha bridge was badly damaged, and a temporary crossing opened about a week later.

Does Pine Island have sewer?

Mostly no. Water comes from the Greater Pine Island Water Association, but most properties use septic. A small private utility serves two St. James City neighborhoods.

Can I sell a storm-damaged Pine Island lot?

Yes. We buy as is, and any demolition or code liens are paid at closing.

Land Buyers in Pine Island: Quick Answers

Who buys land for cash in Pine Island, FL?

SWFL Land, a d/b/a of Libera Capital Group LLC, buys Pine Island lots and acreage for cash. Offers usually come within 24 hours, and closings go through a Florida title company. Request an offer.

Does SWFL Land buy Pine Island land deals from wholesalers?

Yes. Wholesalers and agents can submit Pine Island contracts at swflland.com/submit-deal. We close by assignment or double close and usually respond within 24 hours. See our wholesaler page.

Where can I learn about selling land in Lee County?

Read our Lee County land guide. It covers Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, flood rules after Ian, taxes and how to sell.

Sources

Ways to Sell Your Pine Island Land

Wholesaler with a Pine Island deal under contract? Send us your land deals.

Helpful Guides for Pine Island Landowners

Lee County Land Seller Guide

Before you sell land in Pine Island, read our researched guide to selling vacant land in Lee County. It covers local assessments, property taxes and tax certificates, flood zones, permitting, what drives lot value and how to sell.

Wholesalers and Agents: Send Us Your Pine Island Land Deals

SWFL Land buys Pine Island lots and acreage from wholesalers, bird dogs and agents by assignment or double close. Send the parcel ID and your price and we usually answer within 24 hours.

Submit a Pine Island Deal See our buy box