Selling Land With Scrub Jays in Florida: What Property Owners Need to Know

Selling land with scrub jays in Florida can be challenging because scrub jay habitat protections may limit clearing, grading, and construction in certain areas. Buyers often get cautious when they hear “protected species” because they assume it means the lot can’t be used or will require extra time and expense to develop.

This guide explains how scrub jay protections can affect land value and buildability, what buyers typically want to confirm during due diligence, and how Florida landowners can sell with fewer surprises.

Why Scrub Jays Can Affect Land Sales

Florida scrub jays depend on specific habitat, and land that contains or is near suitable habitat may be subject to development limitations or mitigation requirements. Even when a property can still be used, uncertainty around restrictions can reduce buyer interest or lead to renegotiations late in the process.

How Scrub Jay Restrictions Impact Buildability and Value

When scrub jay considerations apply, common impacts include:

• Reduced usable area for building or site work
• Added time for environmental review or permitting
• Potential mitigation costs or habitat-related requirements
• Buyers budgeting for risk, which can lower offers

Some parcels remain fully usable, while others face meaningful constraints. The difference is often determined by location, habitat quality, and what local or state requirements apply.

What Buyers Usually Ask for During Due Diligence

Buyers and investors commonly want clarity on:

• Whether scrub jay habitat is known or likely on/near the parcel
• Whether development would require additional review, setbacks, or mitigation
• Any prior environmental reports, site notes, or relevant documentation
• Whether the property has other overlapping issues (wetlands, zoning, flood zone, access, septic limitations)

When the facts are clear, deals are more likely to close smoothly.

Can You Still Sell Land With Scrub Jays in Florida?

Yes. Many landowners sell property with environmental or wildlife considerations by:

• Pricing the land realistically for its limitations
• Targeting buyers who understand restricted parcels
• Disclosing what is known up front to avoid failed contracts
• Positioning the sale as “as-is” with clear expectations

For some owners, the simplest path in selling land with scrub jays in Florida is to sell your Florida land to a buyer who is comfortable evaluating and absorbing these constraints.

While Brevard County historically supported the largest Florida scrub-jay populations, today the highest concentrations of Florida scrub jays are found in Marion County near the Ocala National Forest, Brevard County in coastal areas such as the Kennedy Space Center, and Highlands County along the Lake Wales Ridge.

Get a Cash Offer for Land With Scrub Jay Restrictions

If your land has scrub jay concerns and you want a straightforward sale, we can review the basic property details and help you understand realistic options based on what’s typical for restricted parcels.

Related Resource

Selling Land With Issues in Florida

This page is part of our broader resource on selling land with issues in Florida, which covers wetlands, gopher tortoise, zoning restrictions, protected wildlife, flood zones, failed perc tests, lack of access, missing utilities, and other factors that can affect land value and development. If your property has more than one issue, our main guide can help you better understand your options.