Just another day in paradise

Key Largo is the first of the fabulous Florida Keys and where many happy residents call home. Relax and live in our friendly and casual island environment surrounded by the beauty of the seas.

Want fish for dinner, select one of many famous Key Largo eating establishments for your freshly prepared catch or simply throw a line from your boat and catch your own dinner.

Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland but yet still be afforded great schools, medical care, parks, restaurants and shopping while maintain an easy driving distance to the Miami International airport, then Key Largo is for you. Our lifestyle is one of casual grace and we always welcome new neighbors.

Come stay for a weekend, week, month or year and you will want to join us. Our Chamber of Commerce has many friendly professional members to assist you in your home search, financing and closing, contact one today, Don’t let another sun set in Key Largo without you here.

For a complete list of our members see our member directory.

Additional Relocation Information:

KEY LARGO HISTORY

The small island of Key Largo is not only known for its beauty but for its rich history, as well. Not long after Christopher Columbus discovered the New World in 1492, adventurer Ponce de Leon, in search of that illusive fountain of youth, sighted the Florida Keys on Sunday May 15, 1513. There is no record that any of the ships even came on shore, but later other visitors did. The Spanish Explorers named the island CAYO LARGO, the "long rock shoal".

While most of eastern North America has had continuous development for the past 200 years, the Florida Keys, although discovered much earlier, remained mostly undeveloped until the middle of the twentieth century.

Pirates came and went, chased by a fledgling U. S. Navy Pirate Fleet, established here in 1822. Settlers followed while the native indian population, the Caloosa Indians, and other mainland tribes died out. Those early settlers farmed in Key Largo and the Upper Keys, and productive groves of Key limes, tamarind and breadfruit were common, as well as fields of pineapples. The lower part of Key Largo became known as "Planters" which is now the town of Tavernier. Mosquitos, combined with almost yearly hurricane disasters kept expansion of Key Largo’s small settlements of Planter, Rock Harbor, Basin Hills, and High Mangroves to a minimum.

Henry Flagler’s "railroad that went to sea", begun in 1902 and completed in 1912, did little for Key Largo communities except to shift transportation centers from the ocean (where coastal schooners had provided the only mainland contact) to railroad stops. This ceased with the destruction of the railroad by the Great Hurricane of 1935. The railroad property was then purchased by the state for the new highway, known ever since as Highway U.S. One or the Overseas Hwy.

The Key Largo area, so close to the mainland yet so isolated from the amenities of "civilization", has given its residents a strong sense of self reliance. Today, our water, electricity and supplies come from the mainland. Most of our businesses are locally and/or family owned and operated. Charter boats, dive shops, restaurants, lodging and some of the local media are .

Much of the famous movie "Key Largo" was filmed here in 1948 at what is today the Caribbean Club, a local watering hole. A number of other successful movies have also been filmed in Key Largo areas, for example: Drop Zone and Heartbreakers.

For additional historical keys information check out the website of the Historical Preservation Society at: www.Keyshistory.org.

KEY LARGO FACTS & FIGURES

Area - Elevations
Key Largo - 14.4 square miles 5,186 acres 8' average elevation

Land Coordinates
Key Largo 25° 05.1' N Latitude 80° 26.7' W Longitude

Population
Key Largo 12,886

State and Local Government Agencies
And General Information

The Florida Keys is located in Monroe County. There are five incorporated cities in the Florida Keys: Key West, Key Colony Beach, Layton, Islamorada and Marathon. The citizens living in unincorporated Monroe County towns include the residents of Ocean Reef, Key Largo, Tavernier and Big Pine Key/Lower Keys.

The Monroe County Commission, our legislative body, oversees normal city-like services. Other state agencies oversee county services: the School Board, our Aqueduct Authority (water), Sheriff, Tax Collector, Elections Supervisor, Property Appraiser and Mosquito Control - all are non-county agencies - not governed by the Commission.

For that reason, you’ll find a mixture of agencies in the list of telephone numbers below. Although governmental agencies are listed, you’ll also find several consumer-related agencies as well.

Automobile Insurance

Florida requires that after 90 days of legal residency, resident’s vehicles must be covered by Florida "no-fault" insurance. For more information, call 1-800-342-2762.

Automobile Registration

New residents must register their vehicles and obtain Florida license tags within 10 days of establishing legal residency, by the day they begin working in Florida, or by the time they register their children in school. In the Upper Keys, you may register your vehicle(s) and obtain license tags at the Plantation Key Government Center, MM 88.7 or the satellite office in Tradewinds Plaza. Their telephone number is 305-852-7150.

Boat Registration

Registration is required on all boats with motors, regardless of size (including jet-skis, etc.) A valid out-of-state registration of any pleasure craft is recognized for up to 90 days in Florida. After that, Florida registration is required. Fees vary according to the length of the boat. Newcomers from out of state should bring their title and/or registration. Licenses and registrations are obtained at the Plantation Key Government Center or the satellite office in Tradewinds Plaza. Their telephone number is 305-852-7150.

Driver’s Licenses

A driver’s license is required within 30 days of any driver who becomes a resident of Florida, is employed in Florida, or registers a child in a Florida public school. Driver’s licenses are issued at the Plantation Key Government Center or at the satellite office in the Tradewinds Plaza. Their telephone number is 305-853-3562.

Hunting and Fishing

Regulations require a non-resident to have a saltwater fishing license when fishing from either a boat or land. A freshwater fishing license is required for freshwater fishing for both non-residents and Florida residents. For complete rules and regulations refer to the information book given when purchasing a license.

Licenses are available from the Tax Collector’s Office (Plantation Key Government Center - 305-852-7150) or substations ranging from bait shops to drug stores and discount stores.

Hunting licenses allow the hunting of any animal or bird in season except on game reserves and posted private property without written permission. Due to the natural geography of the Keys, and numerous endangered species, very little hunting, if any, is done on the Keys.

For further information on freshwater fishing or hunting, call the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission at 407-640-6100. For emergencies or to report wildlife alert violations, call 800-432-2046. For information on saltwater fishing, call the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission at 800-DIAL-FMP.

Seat Belt Laws

Florida law requires all front seat occupants in cars, pickup trucks and vans operating on Florida roads to be buckled up. Any child five and under must be restrained by an approved car seat.

Voter Registration

To be eligible to vote, you must declare Monroe County as your place of permanent residence and be 18 years of age. There is no length of time required residency, however, the registration books close 30 days prior to an election. Qualified voters may pick up registration forms at the Chamber of Commerce, banks, libraries and the office of the Supervisor of Elections at Plantation Key Government Center, whose telephone number is 305-852-7106.

UTILITIES

Electricity

Electrical service is provided by the Florida Keys Electric Co-op - a member-owned utility. When you connect (or have billing transferred to your name), deposit and other information is required. As a Co-operative (member-owned), power is purchased at reduced rates from the mainland and enjoy a relatively lower rate than elsewhere in Florida. The Co-op’s main office is located in Tavernier (MM 91.5) at 91605 Overseas Highway, and can be reached at 305-852-2431.

Gas

No pipe-line gas is available in the Keys. Household utility service is provided by various propane tank service systems, one example is Homestead Gas Company who can be reached at 451-4413. In addition, various agencies (located in the telephone book) provide small tank service filling for bar-b-ques and RV’s.

Recycling

Your solid waste bill includes a component to finance the County’s recycling efforts. Blue recycling bins are supplied by the solid waste franchise and curbside pickup is scheduled weekly. Curbside pickup is scheduled weekly.

Solid Waste

In Monroe County, the County Government has issued franchises for solid waste (household and commercial) pick-up. You (or your landlord) are billed annually with county taxes for service. Your household entitlement consists of: 2 household garbage pick-ups per week; 1 pick-up per week of yard trash and recycles, and on-call pick-up of household "white goods" (sofas, refrigerators, etc.) Call number below for pick up days and regulations. The Upper Keys franchisee is Keys Sanitary Service who can be reached at 305-451-2025.

Telephone

Telephone service is provided by BellSouth. For home service, call 305-780-2355 and business service call 305-780-2800. Calling from out of town dial 800-753-0710. Telephone directories can be obtained at the Chamber of Commerce.

Television

In the Upper Keys, television service is obtained by one of two methods: franchised cable system or satellite dish providers. Check your yellow pages for current companies servicing the Keys.

Water

Water service is provided by the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, a state agency, operated by an elected Board of Directors. Deposits are required for connection of service. Connection is arranged at the Upper Keys office, at 91620 Overseas Highway, MM 91.6, 305-852-8068.

Hurricanes and Preparedness

In almost any area of the United States, one can expect some sort of natural disaster: tornados in the mid-West, floods along almost any river or stream, "nor-easters" in New England, "Santa Anas" in California, earthquakes along the Pacific coast, and avalanches in almost any snow-prone area.

South Florida and the Keys are no exception, except for one very important factor: you generally know well enough in advance to do something about protecting yourself and your personal property during a hurricane.

Hurricane Andrew (‘92) and Hurricane Georges (‘98) have been the only major storms in South Florida in the past 30 years. Periods of Keys history have had runs of severe storms for several years, and even several severe storms in one year.

In moving to the Keys, one must not fear a hurricane, but be prepared in the event one does happen. Once you’re here, should a hurricane threaten, multitudes of information will be available for you, however, just so you’ll be prepared, listed below, you will find some basic facts.

1. Hurricane shelters are not for personal escape - evacuation to the mainland remains your only viable alternative. Additionally, shelters are only capable of withstanding Category 1 and 2 storms (learn about these "categories" when you are here) - in the most deadly storms (category 3, 4, and 5) shelters will be closed.
2. Shelters are only for safe haven, as a last resort. After a storm, they serve as temporary shelter. Do not expect meals, comfort or medical care, absolutely no pets, alcohol, or weapons are allowed in shelters.
3. After you arrive, get a list of "things to do" from local lumber stores, newspapers, etc., (particularly during August and September). These lists provide information as to stocking of food supplies, boarding up of structures, safety precautions, reserves of batteries, gasoline and lighting supplies and "before" and "after" tips.
4. All Monroe County residents are issued car decals identifying occupants as county residents. They are obtainable at the Sheriff’s Substation on Plantation Key (MM 87). Following a hurricane, roadblocks keep out "sight-seers" and others who might take advantage of storm effects, therefore your sticker will provide return permission (when allowed).
5. Don’t listen to "old timers" "who survived Hurricane David" (a very weak storm passing some 100 miles away) - The Keys have not experienced a "killer" hurricane since Donna hit on Labor Day in 1959. Andrew (8/92) passing some 30 miles to our northeast and Hurricane Georges (9/98), touching ground in the Lower Keys some 100 miles to our south, left little damage in Key Largo, although power was out for several days and emergency supplies were at a premium.
6. Do learn about hurricanes, be prepared for hurricanes, and take advice from official sources should a hurricane threaten.
7. Plan to attend the annual Hurricane Preparedness seminar sponsored by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce each year. Call the Chamber for exact dates and location.

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