St. Marks is an incorporated city in Wakulla County, built where the Wakulla River flows into the St. Marks River a few miles above Apalachee Bay. It had 274 residents at the 2020 Census and covers about 2 square miles. It is the closest of the Big Bend coastal towns to Tallahassee, and people who work in the capital can realistically commute from here.
The name comes from San Marcos de Apalache, the Spanish settlement and fort built here in the 17th century. The fort changed hands and was rebuilt several times. In 1818 Andrew Jackson seized it during his campaign into Spanish Florida and executed two British subjects there. In the 1830s a railroad linked St. Marks to Tallahassee to carry cotton to the Gulf. The old rail bed is now the 16-mile paved Tallahassee–St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, which ends in town. The modern city was incorporated in 1963.
Life here is built around the river: fishing, boating and a short run down to the bay. Low riverfront streets flood in strong storms, as they did in Hurricane Dennis in 2005 and again in Helene in 2024, so elevation matters on every property.
Idalia, Debby and Helene
The three recent Big Bend hurricanes all made landfall east of St. Marks: Idalia near Keaton Beach on August 30, 2023 (Category 3), Debby near Steinhatchee on August 5, 2024 (Category 1), and Helene just east of the Aucilla River mouth on September 26, 2024 (Category 4, 140 mph). Helene was the closest, and its surge covered Riverside Drive downtown.
National Weather Service survey crews measured high-water marks of about 2 to 3 feet above ground in St. Marks after Helene. Across Wakulla County, surge, freshwater flooding and wind caused minor to moderate structural damage. That is far less than the destruction in Taylor and Dixie counties, but still serious for low homes near the water.
Helene also exposed weak points in the city's sewer lift stations, which are vulnerable to flooding and power loss. The state awarded the city $210,000 to upgrade them, with work expected in 2026–2027, according to WTXL.
Flood zones, elevation and the 50% rule
Much of St. Marks lies in FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Area, because both rivers and the bay can push water into town. Look up each lot's flood zone and Base Flood Elevation (BFE, the expected height of a 1%-a-year flood) at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. The Wakulla County Property Appraiser has parcel records.
Under National Flood Insurance Program rules, if repair or improvement costs reach 50% of a building's market value, the whole building has to meet current flood standards. That usually means raising the lowest floor to or above the BFE plus any local freeboard (extra height). St. Marks is an incorporated city, so confirm with the city and Wakulla County which office reviews permits and floodplain compliance for a given address.
- Look up the flood zone and BFE by address at msc.fema.gov
- Ask for the elevation certificate
- Ask whether any substantial-damage determination was issued after Helene
- Check the permit history for storm repairs
Flood insurance
Homeowners policies do not cover flood. Lenders require flood insurance for mortgaged homes in the Special Flood Hazard Area, and it is available through the NFIP and private insurers. NFIP policies generally start after a 30-day waiting period and cap residential building coverage at $250,000. Get a quote early using the elevation certificate, since elevation drives the premium.
Water, sewer and septic
The City of St. Marks operates a central sewer system and has been seeking funding for water system improvements through the Florida Rural Infrastructure Fund. Outside city limits, many Wakulla County properties use private wells and septic systems. Confirm water and sewer service for each parcel, and check septic permits with the Florida Department of Health in Wakulla County where they apply.
River access, fishing and scalloping
The river gives boats a protected run to Apalachee Bay and the Gulf, and some riverfront lots have private docks. Check dock permits and water depth at low tide before buying. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge has additional boat ramps. Inside refuge pools, only non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors are allowed, from March 15 through October 15, and crabbing in refuge pools and ponds is prohibited.
St. Marks is in FWC's Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County bay scallop zone, which runs from St. Vincent Island to the Fenholloway River mouth. The 2026 season runs July 1 through September 24, with a bag limit of 2 gallons of whole scallops per person and 10 gallons per vessel. Check FWC for current rules.
St. Marks refuge, lighthouse and fort
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1931 to give migratory birds winter habitat, making it one of the oldest refuges in the country. It covers more than 86,000 acres in Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties and about 43 miles of Gulf coast. The visitor center is at 1255 Lighthouse Road (CR 59), off US 98. Entry is $5 per vehicle, and outdoor areas are open sunrise to sunset.
The St. Marks Lighthouse at the end of Lighthouse Road dates to 1842 in its current location. The refuge lists limited weekend hours for the keeper's quarters, subject to change. In town, San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park preserves the fort site and has a small museum of artifacts found nearby.
Schools, health care and distances
Students attend Wakulla County Schools, which assigns schools by address. Confirm zoning with the district. The nearest hospitals are in Tallahassee.
Approximate driving distances: Tallahassee about 20 miles via SR 363, Perry about 50 miles via US 98, and Gainesville about 150 miles.
Before you buy in St. Marks
- Look up the flood zone and Base Flood Elevation for the lot
- Get the elevation certificate and ask how the home fared in Helene
- Confirm permits and flood review with the city and Wakulla County
- Confirm sewer and water service, or check well and septic records
- Check dock permits and low-tide depth for riverfront lots
- Get a flood insurance quote before writing an offer
Buying a home in Florida: the basics
The same state rules apply in every town on this site. These are the ones buyers ask about most, with the laws behind them.
- Homestead exemption
- A home that is the owner's permanent residence on January 1 can qualify for a $25,000 exemption from all property taxes plus a second, inflation-indexed exemption of about $25,000 that does not apply to school taxes; apply to the county property appraiser by March 1. A larger exemption is on the November 3, 2026 ballot (CS/HJR 1F) and would start in 2027 if voters approve it.
- Save Our Homes cap
- Once a homestead exemption is granted, the home's assessed value can rise no more than 3% a year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. The cap resets after a sale, but up to $500,000 of the built-up savings can be carried to a new Florida homestead set up within three years.
- Property tax bills
- A sale resets the assessment to market value the following January, so the seller's current tax bill is not a guide to the buyer's. Bills go out in November, earn a 4% discount if paid that month (stepping down to 1% in February), and become delinquent April 1.
- No state income tax
- Florida's constitution bars a state tax on the personal income of residents. Property, sales and other taxes still apply.
- Documentary stamp tax
- The state charges 70 cents per $100 of the sale price on the deed, which the seller customarily pays in most of Florida. A financed purchase adds 35 cents per $100 of the loan plus a 0.2% intangible tax on the mortgage, usually paid by the buyer.
- Flood disclosure
- Sellers of residential property must give buyers a written flood disclosure at or before signing the contract. Since October 2025 it covers any flood damage the seller knows of during their ownership, any flood insurance claim, and any flood assistance received, such as FEMA aid.
- Flood insurance
- Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood. Citizens Property Insurance already requires separate flood coverage for homes in FEMA high-risk flood zones and homes with a replacement cost of $400,000 or more, and extends the requirement to most of its remaining homeowner policies on January 1, 2027.
- Insurance inspections
- Florida insurers must offer premium discounts for wind-resistant features, which are documented on the state's uniform mitigation verification inspection form (OIR-B1-1802). Many insurers also ask for a four-point inspection on older homes; that is insurer practice, not state law.
- Septic systems
- Septic systems are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, with permits still handled through county health department offices. State law does not require a septic inspection when a home sells, though a buyer can order one.
- Building near the water
- In a FEMA flood zone, repairs or improvements costing 50% or more of a building's market value generally trigger current flood-elevation rules under the county's floodplain ordinance. Docks and other structures over state-owned submerged lands need state authorization, usually through the Florida DEP.
Sources: Florida Constitution Art. VII §5; Florida Statutes §§193.155, 196.011, 196.031, 197.162, 197.333, 199.133, 201.02, 201.08, 253.77, 381.0065, 627.0629, 627.351(6)(aa) and 689.302 (2026 Florida Statutes); Fla. Admin. Code R. 69O-170.0155 (Florida Office of Insurance Regulation form OIR-B1-1802); FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, 44 CFR 59.1 and 60.3; CS/HJR 1F (2026 Special Session F); Florida DEP Onsite Sewage Program. Checked September 2026.
Thinking about St. Marks?
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Buying in St. Marks: what people ask.
How far is St. Marks from Tallahassee?
About 20 miles, mostly on SR 363 (Woodville Highway). It is the closest of the Big Bend coastal towns to the capital.
Did Hurricane Helene flood St. Marks?
Yes. The National Weather Service found high-water marks of about 2 to 3 feet above ground in town, and Riverside Drive was under water. Damage in Wakulla County was generally minor to moderate, much less than farther east.
Does St. Marks have city sewer?
The city runs a central sewer system, and the state funded lift station upgrades after Helene. Water service and connections vary, so confirm them for each property.
What is the 50% rule?
If repair or improvement costs reach 50% of a building's market value, the building has to meet current flood standards, usually by being raised. Confirm with the city and Wakulla County how it applies to an address.
When is scallop season near St. Marks?
St. Marks is in FWC's Franklin through northwestern Taylor County zone. The 2026 season runs July 1 through September 24.
Is the St. Marks Lighthouse open to visitors?
Yes. The lighthouse is at the end of Lighthouse Road in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, and the vehicle entry fee is $5. The refuge lists limited weekend hours for the keeper's quarters that can change, so check with the visitor center first.
Also near St. Marks.
Gulf of America Realty is an independent, Broker-owned brokerage in Perry, working all of Taylor County and the Big Bend coast. Its Broker, Sandra "Dandy" Osnos, has been Licensed in Florida since 1988 and a Broker since 1993. She relocated to Taylor County in 2022 and established Gulf of America Realty here after that. Whatever you are buying or selling, it is priced on what has actually closed nearby.
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