Florida

Santa Rosa County

Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Milton and Pace: from a Gulf beach and a bayside peninsula to a historic river town and a growing central corridor.

Beaches to woodlands

Santa Rosa County stretches from Navarre Beach on the Gulf, through the growth corridor along US 90 and I-10, to rural and wooded land in the north. The county uses the phrase “beaches to woodlands” itself, and it’s accurate.

Much of the county is unincorporated, including Navarre and Pace, so county government handles planning and development review there. Gulf Breeze and Milton are cities with their own municipal governments.

Anchors

NAS Whiting Field near Milton is a major naval aviation training installation. Pensacola State College has a campus in Milton and a center in Gulf Breeze. The county’s online maps are unusually useful, covering zoning, evacuation zones, school attendance zones and flood risk.

Communities

Gulf Breeze

City on the Fairpoint Peninsula

Gulf Breeze sits on a peninsula between Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound, connected to Pensacola by the bay bridge. It’s bayfront and soundfront rather than open Gulf, with the beach a short drive away across the sound.

Shoreline Park is the city’s main recreation complex, with a fishing pier, boat launch, boardwalk, exercise trail and sports facilities. The city runs its own utilities and has an ongoing septic-to-sewer program, so utility status can be a real question for some properties.

Navarre and Navarre Beach

Unincorporated south Santa Rosa County

Mainland Navarre and barrier-island Navarre Beach are different places to own a home. The mainland has substantial year-round residential development along US 98; the beach side is a county-managed coastal destination across Santa Rosa Sound.

The county-owned Navarre Beach Pier runs 1,545 feet into the Gulf. Beach properties call for their own flood, evacuation and insurance review, and condominium and short-term rental questions are most relevant near the beach.

Milton

City and county seat

Milton was incorporated in 1844, before Florida became a state, and its historic district has been on the National Register since 1987. Downtown sits on the Blackwater River, and the region is known for paddling and outdoor recreation.

Exterior changes to historic properties can require approval, so check before planning a renovation. Properties near the river need flood research. NAS Whiting Field is nearby, and the city’s planning emphasizes compact, walkable growth.

Downtown Milton and the bridge over the Blackwater River

Pace

Unincorporated central Santa Rosa County

Pace is centered on the US 90 corridor east of Pensacola, with I-10 nearby. It’s part of the county’s central growth area, with substantial subdivision and commercial development.

Because the landscape is changing, it’s worth looking at approved subdivisions, future land use and road projects in the county’s maps, not just what’s there today. Outside central utility service, confirm septic and well status.

Ownership considerations

Coast versus mainland
Beach and mainland properties carry different flood, evacuation and insurance profiles. Check each address separately.
Growth areas
In fast-growing central areas, review approved subdivisions, road projects and future land use.
Utilities
Confirm sewer, septic and water service, including Gulf Breeze’s septic-to-sewer program where it applies.
Historic Milton
Plan exterior changes to regulated historic properties around the city’s review process.

Official resources

Where to check parcels, zoning, flood status, taxes and school zones.

Santa Rosa County Government (opens in a new tab)County services, development, flood risk and beach resources.
Santa Rosa Planning & Zoning (opens in a new tab)Zoning, coastal construction and development information.
Santa Rosa GIS Maps (opens in a new tab)Zoning, evacuation zones, school zones and roads.
Santa Rosa Property Appraiser (opens in a new tab)Parcel and assessment records.
Santa Rosa Tax Collector (opens in a new tab)Property taxes and tax services.
Santa Rosa County District Schools (opens in a new tab)District, enrollment and attendance resources.
City of Gulf Breeze (opens in a new tab)Municipal services, permits, utilities and planning.
City of Milton (opens in a new tab)City government, parks and planning.
Milton Historic District (opens in a new tab)District boundaries and exterior review requirements.
Navarre Beach Pier (opens in a new tab)Pier information and rules.
FEMA Flood Map Service Center (opens in a new tab)Official flood hazard maps for any address.

Santa Rosa County questions

Is Navarre a city?

No. Navarre and Navarre Beach are unincorporated, so Santa Rosa County handles planning, zoning and beach services.

Is Gulf Breeze on the Gulf?

Not directly. Gulf Breeze is on a peninsula between Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. Gulf beaches are nearby across the sound.

How do I check the school zone for a Santa Rosa County address?

The county’s GIS maps include school attendance zones, and Santa Rosa County District Schools publishes enrollment information. Confirm the assignment directly with the district.

Where can I see planned development near a property?

Santa Rosa County Planning & Zoning publishes development and subdivision information through its maps, which helps show how an area is expected to change.

Talk with Valerie about Santa Rosa County

Tell me which parts of the county you’re considering and what matters most.

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