Yes, but water will be the challenge. Wells run deep, near 610 feet, so budget $20,000 to $44,000 for one. The growing season runs about 291 frost-free days, long enough for a spring and a fall garden. Flood zones cover parts of the county, so look up any parcel on FEMA's flood map before you offer.
What the land says
Rain
Rain can supply much of a household's water with a large tank. The sandy soil dries fast, so plan to water the garden.
About 52 inches a year (PRISM, 1991 to 2020 average)
Wells
Very deep wells. The well may be your biggest single cost.
The typical well here is about 610 feet deep; a well typically runs $20,000 to $44,000
Growing season
Long enough for a spring and a fall garden.
About 291 frost-free days, USDA zone 9a; last frost about February 20, first about December 3
Sun
Good sun. Size the array and battery bank for winter.
About 5.3 hours of full sun a day, averaged over the year
Flood
Flood zones cover parts of the county. Look up any parcel on FEMA's flood map before you offer.
FEMA maps flood zones in parts of the county
Wildfire
Wildfire risk is high in parts of the county. Check the risk for the parcel you want.
U.S. Forest Service wildfire hazard map: Very Low to High here
Storms
Hurricanes and strong tornadoes are rare here.
NOAA: no hurricane-strength storm within 50 miles since 1975; about 0.8 strong (EF2 or stronger) tornadoes a decade within 25 miles
Terrain
Flat, but the ground stays wet. Build on the higher, drier spot.
Slopes average about 1%, about 60 feet above sea level
Soil
Expect a costlier septic system, because the soil stays wet for long stretches. The county's soil test decides.
Sand, poorly drained (USDA soil survey). A mound, sand filter, or treatment unit typically runs $10,000 to $20,000
Road
Paved roads are close by.
Nearest paved road usually within about 0.9 miles (OpenStreetMap)
Check a Florida parcel, or plan the one you own
Get a free 0-100 off-grid score.
A step-by-step build plan, sizing your solar, water, garden, septic, heat, and buildings.
Is it legal here?
Zoning
We found no public zoning map for Nassau County, so call the county planning office with the parcel number to ask whether the land is zoned.
Building code
Florida Building Code mandatory statewide, updated on a 3-year cycle. Local amendments cannot reduce standards.
Rainwater
Collecting it is allowed.
Composting toilets
Allowed with a permit and an approved unit.
Water rights
Owners of land along a creek or lake can make reasonable use of its water.
Drilled to about 610 feet, with pump and pressure tank
Septic
$10,000 to $20,000
Mound, sand filter, or treatment unit
Solar and batteries
$17,000 to $36,000
Sized for a modest household
Road or driveway
$3,000 to $7,000
From the nearest road to a house site
Clearing
$1,000 to $3,000
A house site, solar, and garden
Total
$50,000 to $110,000
Before the house
Before you make an offer on land here
Flood map
Look up the parcel on FEMA's flood map.
Flood zones cover parts of the county. Building in one means flood insurance and extra permits.
Well cost
Get a driller's quote.
Wells here run near 610 feet, so the well is a large cost.
Soil test
Get a soil test before you count on septic.
The soil stays wet, which can rule out a standard system.
Nearby counties
101,501 people live in Nassau County, about 156.5 per square mile. It ranks tied for 34th of the 67 Florida counties we scored, and Florida ranks 33rd of 50 states.