The VA's May 1, 2026 appraisal fee and timeliness table sets a $700 baseline appraisal fee statewide in Florida — but 10 counties now carry a higher $800 fee and a longer 10-business-day turn time instead of the standard 6-7. If you're buying in Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Monroe, Okeechobee, Suwannee, or Walton County, here's what that means for your closing timeline.
The Full Florida Fee Table
Per the VA's Appraisal Fee Schedules and Timeliness Requirements page and its linked fee and timeliness table, effective May 1, 2026, Florida is split into three tiers:
| Area | Single-Family / Condo | Manufactured Home | 2-4 Unit | Timeliness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rest of Florida (default) | $700 | $750 | $850 | 7 business days |
| Brevard, Broward, Clay, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Marion, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Santa Rosa, Volusia | $700 | $750 | $850 | 6 business days |
| Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Monroe, Okeechobee, Suwannee, Walton | $800 | $850 | $950 | 10 business days |
The VA is explicit that these figures reflect VA-specific work assignments and expected service levels for its fee-panel appraisers, and it notes it "may temporarily increase appraisal fees and authorize extended timeliness requirements in some market areas as a reaction to market demand" — meaning these numbers can shift again as conditions change.
Why Some Counties Pay More
The higher $800 tier applies to a mix of rural Panhandle counties (Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Walton, Suwannee), the Treasure Coast's Indian River County, Okeechobee, and the Florida Keys' Monroe County. These areas generally have fewer VA fee-panel appraisers relative to demand or require more travel between assignments, which is consistent with the VA's broader mileage-fee policy for appraisers serving properties outside their normal coverage area. The practical result for a buyer: expect appraisal turnaround to take up to 10 business days in these counties, not the 6-7 days typical elsewhere in Florida.
Buying in one of the 10 counties? Plan your timeline with us first
If your target property is in Monroe, Walton, Indian River, or one of the other affected counties, let's build your contract timeline around the real appraisal turn time — not a generic 30-day close. Free eligibility check, no credit pull required.
Check My VA Eligibility — FreeWhat This Means for Your Contract Timeline
An extra 3-4 business days of appraisal turn time can matter when you're negotiating a purchase contract's closing date or appraisal contingency deadline. In the affected counties, ask your agent to build in the longer window from the start rather than assuming a standard timeline and requesting an extension later — extensions can weaken your position in a competitive offer. This is separate from the property-condition side of a VA appraisal; the fee and timeliness table governs how the appraiser is paid and how long they have to work, not what the appraisal evaluates.
Fees the Veteran Never Pays Directly
None of this changes who's responsible for paying the appraiser. Per the VA's fee schedule guidance, rush or priority fees "cannot be charged to the Veteran" and must be initiated by the lender, and late-payment fees on the appraiser's invoice also cannot be passed to the veteran — the lender that ordered the appraisal is responsible for payment even if the loan later transfers. The appraisal fee itself is typically a closing cost rolled into your overall closing-cost figure, which is covered in our VA closing costs guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Florida counties have higher VA appraisal fees in 2026?
Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Monroe, Okeechobee, Suwannee, and Walton counties carry an $800 single-family/condo fee and a 10-business-day timeliness window, versus $700 and 6-7 days elsewhere in Florida, per the VA's May 1, 2026 fee and timeliness table.
Does a higher appraisal fee mean I pay more out of pocket?
The appraisal fee is typically a closing cost, and the specific dollar amount is set by the VA's schedule for that county, not negotiated. It's one line item among your total closing costs, which your lender discloses upfront.
How much longer does an appraisal take in the higher-fee counties?
Up to 10 business days versus the standard 6-7 business days elsewhere in Florida, per the VA's posted timeliness requirements. Weekends and federal holidays don't count toward that window.
Can these fees and timelines change again?
Yes. The VA states it may temporarily adjust appraisal fees and timeliness requirements in specific market areas based on demand, and that these changes may not be permanent.
House-hunting in one of Florida's higher-fee VA appraisal counties? Take the quick eligibility check on our homepage or call Joe Pistone & Team — we'll help you build a realistic contract timeline around it, and for today's pricing, just ask Joe.
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, VA Appraisal Fee Schedules and Timeliness Requirements; VA Appraisal Fees and Timeliness Table (effective May 1, 2026).