Sanibel Island is a good location for real estate developers and investors. While there are several hundred existing properties for sale, there is always the chance of building your own.  In Sanibel, land for sale is limited, both by the islands size, and by law.  A balance has to be struck between developing and evolving the area and protecting it’s natural beauty.

Most lands here fronts on to the best beaches. The vacant plots are near or directly accessible to Bowman’s Beach, Causeway Beaches, Tarpon Bay Beach and Lighthouse Beach and Fishing Pier.  However, due to the island’s high regard for ecological balance, some are not allowed to be built on. The island’s exposure to seas made some land soils salty, thus corroded and inappropriate for supporting building structures. On the other hand, Sanibel allows recreational activities to be done on these non-construction sites.

The land prices range from as low as $250,000 to $3 million+, depending on the location.

Here is a partial listing of locations with current Sanibel lands for sale that allow building a small home for a single family:

1.      Casa Ybel Road, Lagoon Estates – lake view
2.      Ardsley Way, Sanibel Pines – center island lot
3.      Whitehall Road, Sanibel Highlands – private setting
4.      piedmont Road, Sanibel Highlands – ecological zone corner lot
5.      Beverly Lane, Gumbo Limbo – lake front, retained Australian pine trees
6.      Sanibel Center – near Dixie Beach
7.      Sanctuary at Wulfert – overlooking Sanctuary Golf Course
8.      Belding Drive, Belle Meade – two adjoining lots, upland wetlands eco-zone
9.      Violet Drive, Long Acre Lake – beach homesite, private shell road, Seagull Estates amenities
10.      Blue Crab Court, Dinkins Bayou – cul-de-sac adjacent to National Forest

The lands that are not allowed building are located in Gulf Beach and Bay Beach Eco-Zones.

Sanibel Landscaping Notes

There are also landscaping measures that should be considered. Before assembling a garden, one must know the soil and water conditions in the selected lot. The Eco-Zones are a good way to knowing which plants are appropriate for certain land types.

Some plants and trees that should be maintained are native sea grape, sea oats, mangroves, palm trees, and Australian pine. These vegetations are not mere decorations; they also help protect the soil’s pH content from being too soft or too hard.

This city also has the Sanibel Fertilizer Ordinance. Residents should use eco-friendly zero-phosphorus fertilizers that should contain at a 50% minimum of slow release nitrogen. Residents are also encouraged to plant native flora which are already adapted to the island’s soil conditions. Some of Sanibel native plants include:

1.      Grasses – Purple Love Grass, Dropseed, Salt Meadow Cord Grass
2.      Flowers – Ambrosia, Bacopa, Camphor Weed, Dune Sunflower, Mimosa
3.      Ferns – Royal Fern, Giant Sword Fern, Golden Leather Fern
4.      Vines – Bay Bean, Beach Morning Glory, Coral Honeysuckle
5.      Cactus – Prickly Pear, Spanish Lady, Mistletoe Cactus
6.      Aquatic Plants – Arrowhead, Spike Rush, Swamp Hibiscus
7.      Small And Medium Shrubs – Bird Pepper, Christmas Berry, Bay Cedar, Fire Bush
8.      Small, Medium And Large Trees – Buccaneer Palm, Saffron Plum, Black Mangrove, Cabbage Palm, Bald Cypress, Laurel Oak, Wild Tamarind

Soil testing could be performed without hiring a professional. However, certified soil testing kits are obtainable from the Lee County Extension Office. Non-compliance to these landscaping measures is punishable by Sanibel laws.

These guidelines aid prospective buyers to easily decide and seriously consider purchasing Sanibel property. With these in hand, looking for the ideal Sanibel land for sale is not a problem anymore.