Leesburg Fire Assessment exemption applications due May 1

EUSTIS — Residents and property owners in Leesburg have until May 1, 2026, to submit applications for an exemption from the city's annual Fire Protection Services Special Assessment. The deadline applies to requests for the upcoming assessment period.

Completed exemption forms and any necessary supporting documentation can be delivered in person to the City Clerk’s Office at Leesburg City Hall or mailed to PO Box 490630, Leesburg, FL 34749. Applications for exemption must be filed each year.

The City of Leesburg established the annual fire assessment in 2015 to fund fire protection services for properties within the city limits. The assessment amount is determined by the classification of each property parcel and the number of billing units associated with it.

The Fire Protection Assessment Ordinance outlines specific exemptions for certain property types. These include:

• Homesteaded, owner-occupied residential parcels owned by low-income individuals, as defined by the ordinance, which may qualify for hardship assistance.
• Mobile home park and recreational vehicle park properties, based on an occupancy formula detailed in the ordinance.
• Property wholly owned by churches and primarily used for religious purposes.

Additional information regarding the assessment and the application forms are available on the city's website. Residents can find these resources on the Fire Department’s Annual Fire Protection Assessment page.