FishHawk Ranch Neighborhood Guide
Most people know FishHawk Ranch for two things: Schools and Amenities. There are now three on-site elementary schools: Bevis, FishHawk Creek and Stowers; Two Middle Schools: Randall and Stowers; and one High School: Newsome. All of these schools are A-Rated!
FishHawk’s renowned amenities are seemingly endless. The largest network of paved Nature Trails (25 miles and growing) in the US, Three clubhouses, The Aquatic Club with dramatic waterfall and lagoon pool, waterslide, Jr. Olympic pool, water volleyball pool, café and locker room facilities, to the Osprey Club with tennis, basketball, water park, movie theatre, and exercise facility.
The skate park is a popular hangout for skateboarders, and Park Square offers an interactive fountain, shops and restaurants, YMCA, salon and an outdoor amphitheatre which hosts a free summertime concert series.
We've gathered lots of information about FishHawk Ranch in this Community Guide. As residents of FishHawk ourselves, we're confident you'll appreciate the amenities FishHawk has to offer. If we can answer any questions for you, or help you find a perfect home, please give us a call or send us an email! We're glad to help!
Live In FishHawk Ranch
FishHawk Ranch Neighborhood Photos:
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FishHawk Ranch Frequently Asked Questions
Where is FishHawk Ranch?
FishHawk Ranch is located in the city of Lithia, FL, Hillsborough County, just outside of Tampa.
Click the map to the left for a larger view.
Click here for an interactive aerial image of the project (click and drag inside the map).
Click here for a detailed map of FishHawk Ranch.
Click here for a demographic profile.
Click here for weather averages.-
What Amenities does FishHawk Ranch offer residents?
FishHawk Ranch offers residents a vast array of amenities, including:- Park Square
- 30,000 sq.ft. of Specialty shops and offices
- New Home Information Center
- Day Spa & Salon
- Bank of Tampa
- Restaurant & Deli
- Wine & Cheese Shop
- Corner Store & Cafe
- Ice Cream Shop
- YMCA Express
- 2-acre park including:
- Interactive Fountain
- Performance area broad lawn for concerts, art shows and theatre presentations.
- Outdoor Living Room with fireplace and Plasma TV
- Aquatic Club
- Competition Pool
- Water Volleyball
- Lagoon Pool & Water Slide
- Indoor & Outdoor aerobics
- Playground
- Paradise Cafe
- Locker and Shower Facilities
- Osprey Club
- Jr. Olympic Swimming Pool & Water Park
- Lighted Tennis & Basketball Courts
- Playground
- 5,400 sq.ft. Clubhouse
- Gathering room with Kitchen
- Fully-equipped Fitness Center with Shower and Locker Facility
- State-of-the-art theater with Stadium Seating
- Courtside Cafe
- Palmetto Club
- Reception Area
- 5,200 sq.ft. Ballroom & Banquet Room
- Conference Room
- Expansive Garden
- Loggia
- Catering Kitchen
- Hawk Park
- 40-acre community park
- 2,000 sq.ft. clubhouse
- Picnic Area
- Soccer & Softball
- Sand Volleyball
- Roller Hockey court
- Lighted Tennis and Basketball courts
- Swimming Pool
- Butterfly Garden
- Skate Park
- Ibis Park
- 5-acre park
- Playground
- Picnic Pavilion
- Miles of Walking/Biking Trails
- Soon to be one of the largest community trail systems in the United States
- The trails at FishHawk Ranch expand for nearly 25 miles
- Educational markers highlight species of plant and animal life along the way.
- Activities Director on Staff
- FishHawk Connect online community Forums
- Park Square
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What about the school system?
Hillsborough County public schools are often cited as among the nation's best. 10 of Hillsborough County's 23 high schools were listed in Newsweek's 2005 America's Best High Schools. In addition, Hillsborough County students consistently score at or above the national average at every grade level on math exams, and district 8th graders have scored the highest average on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Writing Test every year since 2000. Also, Hillsborough County's music programs were ranked among the top 100 in the country for the fourth time in 2005.
FishHawk Ranch children will attend Bevis Elementary School or FishHawk Creek Elementary School; Randall Middle School and Newsome High School.
Check out the county published Parents Guide which answers many school related questions.
You can determine which elementary school your children will attend by entering an address into School Locator.
Detailed information on FishHawk Ranch's school "grades" is available here.
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What is FishHawk Ranch's contact information?
The FishHawk Ranch sales center is now located in Park Square. Online: www.fishhawkranch.com
Fishhawk Ranch Information Center
16144 Churchview Drive, Suite 113
Lithia, FL 33547Phone: (813)685-7500
Fax: (813) 685-7442
E-mail: Fishhawkranch@newlandcommunities.com -
Where can I see a Brochure of or articles about FishHawk Ranch?
A brochure produced by Newland Communities is available from their website, or by clicking here.
The St. Petersburg Times published an article 2/10/06 titled "Instant Community" which describes life in FishHawk Ranch.
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Who is Newland Communities?
Newland Communities is the developer of many communities (overview map) across the US; locally including:
($$)FishHawk Ranch
Carefully developed on 3,000 acres, this community will contain nearly 5,000 residences when it sells out.
Satellite Image/Map Website -
($$)Circa FishHawk
Circa FishHawk is described as the continuation and evolution of FishHawk Ranch and the FishHawk area. This community will be built just west of FishHawk Ranch on FishHawk Blvd.
Website -
($$$)MiraBay
MiraBay is an award-winning, 750-acre community offering a variety of Old Coastal Florida homes on and off the water in the SouthShore area of Hillsborough County in west central Florida. A focus of MiraBay's subtropical lifestyle is its 135-acre lagoon and 3.5 miles of saltwater canals that provide deep-water access to Tampa Bay.
Satellite Image/Map Website($)Covington Park
A 394-acre master-planned community developed in southern Hillsborough County, Covington Park is expected to provide 1200 single-family residences upon completion.
Satellite Image/Map Website($)Rivercrest
Rivercrest is located in the town of Riverview, an area that combines natural preservation areas, grassy open spaces and tranquil lakes just south of the Tampa metropolitan area.
Satellite Image/Map($$)Waterset
Waterset is slated to will offer unique architecture and amenities in a real town setting. Gathering places, like the Lakeside Club, and the 12'-wide Esplanade will connect people and places throughout the community. All homes and amenities will be certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). Satellite Image/Map Website
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What is the best way to find homes for sale in FishHawk Ranch?
Our website is updated daily with all homes listed for sale in FishHawk Ranch (and other communites!) You can browse these homes online at your convenience and contact us to schedule tours of those you are most interested in. -
I'm not ready to buy. Can I rent a home in FishHawk Ranch?
Yes! Eaton Realty is the largest property manager of rental homes in FishHawk Ranch. We have homes of various sizes in the most popular FishHawk neighborhoods. Renting a home through Eaton Realty is a simple and convenient process. You can take virtual tours of homes available for rent, view photos, descriptions, rent rates, and availability dates, all right here online! -
What are FishHawk Ranch's Property Taxes and Community Association Fees?
The sales tax in Hillsborough County is 7.00% (6% state, 1% local). There is no State Tax on personal income or property.
Property TaxesHillsborough County: $2.0217 per $100 Assessed Property Value (see below) Use Online Estimate Taxes are based on the ASSESSED value of the property. The Property Appraiser establishes the taxable value of real estate and tangible personal property. Known as the Homestead Exemption, the state constitution of Florida allows up to $50,000 to be deducted from the assessed value of a primary residence.
The tax rate is (generally) the same, no matter where you live in Hillsborough County. You may also pay City taxes if you live in an Incorporated area, and you may pay "non-ad valorem" assessments which may vary by community. These assessments are imposed by residents of neighborhoods for specific benefits such as recreation or general maintenance. FishHawk Ranch's CDD is billed with your taxes under "non-ad valorem" assessments.
Example: You purchase a $300,000 home in FishHawk Ranch. This is your primary residence so you will take advantage of the Homestead Exemption. Using the online estimator, your county taxes would be about $5,000.
FishHawk Ranch does not require a "club membership" to use any of it's facilities. FishHawk Ranch is part of a Community Development District (CDD) and each homeowner is assessed an annual CDD fee. This fee is billed annually in advance and covers the cost of the community infrastructure, (roadways, utility installation, amenities, etc.) and also includes fees for maintenance and upkeep of the community common areas and amenities. The following non-ad valorem assessments are paid at the end of the year with your property taxes and can be rolled into your mortgage.
Annual Non-Ad Valorem Assessments (Based on 2009 rates)FishHawk CDD Fee $1292.00 Water Department Fee $303.06 Lighting District $109.81 Stormwater Management $12.00 County Solid Waste Collection $128.93 County Solid Waste Disposal $93.35 Example Continued: Above we calculated the county tax. In addition to that amount, $1,939.15 will be added to your tax bill for "non-ad valorem" assessments, bringing your total tax bill to $6,939.15.
The FishHawk Ranch Homeowners Association is responsible for administering the rules and deed restrictions of the community. The Homeowners association fee only covers administration and staff, not actual community operation expenses. The following fees are billed annualy and paid directly to the HOA, not the Tax Collector.
FishHawk Ranch Home Owner's Association Monthly Fees (2010)FishHawk Ranch Association Fee $94/yr billed at the beginning of the year for the full year. Gated Village Association Fee Homes located within gated villages are subject to a sub-association fee which varies depending on the community. Contact us for further information on the fees for villages in which you are interested. -
What is the difference between a CDD and HOA?
Most planned communities have a Homeowners Association. Many are also setup as a Community Development District. Here are the key differences between a Community Development District (CDD) and Homeowners Association (HOA):
CDD vs. HOACommunity Development District Homeowners Association Public Entity Private Entity Created under Chapter 190 of the Florida Statues
Governed by a Board of SupervisorsNot-for-profit Corporation created under Chapters 617 and 720 of the Florida Statues
Governed by a Board of DirectorsResponsibilities include:
Construction, financing & maintenance of the community infrastructure, including:
* Common grounds and landscaping
* Ponds/Lakes
* Recreations Facilities, Parks & Courts
* Entrance Way, Street Lighting
* CDD related Financial and Administrative issuesResponsibilities include:
* Enforcement of the association’s governing documents; including, individual lot related issues
* Overseeing compliance with the Architectural procedures and approvalHow are fees paid?
Owners are assessed through their annual property tax bill in the form of a non-ad valorem assessment.How are fees paid?
Owners receive yearly assessment coupons from the association in December for the following year. -
Where can I find information about the Community Developement District and the HOA?
CDD information can be found from The FishHawk CDD website.
The HOA is managed by:
Rizzetta & Company, Inc.
3434 Colwell Ave. Suite 200
Tampa, Florida 33614
Voice: 813-933-5571
Fax: 813-769-1496Would you like to paint your house black? FishHawk Ranch has produced a "design and fence guidelines" document. You can access this document here and find out the "rules" of homeownership in FishHawk Ranch.
