Before You Buy
Know Your Ground
How to Quickly Find Sinkholes in Florida
Florida leads the country in sinkholes. Here's how to check for sinkhole history on a property in 10 minutes using free state databases — before you buy.
Florida has more sinkholes than any other state. If you're buying land in Florida, checking for sinkhole history takes 10 minutes and could save you from a very expensive problem.
Why Florida Has So Many Sinkholes
Florida sits on a thick layer of limestone bedrock. Rainwater is slightly acidic and dissolves the limestone over time, creating underground cavities. When the roof of one of those cavities collapses, you get a sinkhole. Central Florida is the most sinkhole-prone region in the state, particularly Hernando, Hillsborough, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sumter counties.
How to Check for Sinkholes on a Florida Property
Florida Sinkhole Database (FDEP)
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection maintains a sinkhole database you can search at ca.dep.state.fl.us/mapdirect. Search by address or coordinates. This shows documented sinkhole incidents near the property.
Florida Geological Survey
The FGS maintains sinkhole incident reports going back decades. You can request records for a specific area or parcel. This is the most comprehensive official source.
County Property Appraiser Records
Some Florida counties note known sinkhole activity in their property records. Check the county property appraiser site and look for any sinkhole notations on the parcel record.
Google Earth Historical Imagery
Pull up the property on Google Earth and use the historical imagery feature. Sinkholes often appear as circular depressions or areas of disturbed soil. This isn't definitive but it's a fast visual check.
What to Do If You Find Sinkhole History Nearby
Proximity to past sinkhole activity doesn't automatically mean your parcel will have one — but it warrants a geotechnical evaluation before you buy or build. A licensed geologist or geotechnical engineer can test the subsurface conditions and give you a real risk assessment. Cost is typically $500 to $2,000 depending on scope.
Bottom Line
Run the FDEP sinkhole database check on any Florida property you're seriously considering. It's free, it takes minutes, and it tells you whether you're walking into a known problem area.
A
Andrew
Co-founder, Compass Land USA
Andrew co-founded Compass Land USA after buying and selling land for years without needing a single bank. He's been on both sides of hundreds of owner-financed deals across five states.
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