8929 E Gulf to Lake Hwy, Inverness, FL 34450

NOW OFFERING WITH PRICE IMPROVEMENT

8929 E Gulf To Lake Hwy, Inverness, FL 34450

Prime 3 Bay Auto / Marine Service Shop

Alternative Uses: Restaurant / Bar / Office / Retail

Building Size: 4,010 SF

Lot Size: .78 Acres

Zoning: CLC & CLR Commercial

Highway Frontage: 300’ On SR 44 / On The Lake

AMAZING LOCATION, IN INVERNESS, CITRUS COUNTY, FL, TAMPA MSA, Just 15 Min From I-75/Florida Turnpike! Seize the opportunity to own your slice of a growing Central Florida Real Estate. Positioned along the high-traffic corridor of State Road 44 in Inverness, Florida, this fully renovated and affordably priced commercial property presents a rare investment opportunity with a unique competitive edge—direct access to the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes. The property comprises a 4,010-square-foot concrete block structure, originally a mechanics facility, now modernized to support a wide range of commercial uses. Key features include three 10’x12’ grade-level roll-up doors, 12-foot ceiling heights ideal for service operations, and 3-phase electric power to accommodate heavy-duty equipment. A two-story build-out provides flexibility for office use or potential live/work arrangements. Recent updates include a new roof and comprehensive interior renovations, enhancing both functionality and long-term value.

Situated on a 0.78-acre lot, the site benefits from over 300 feet of visibility along Gulf to Lake Highway (SR 44), which sees an average daily traffic volume of approximately 18,000 vehicles. Zoned Coastal Lakes Commercial (CLC), the property allows for diverse commercial applications, including marine and automotive service facilities, contractor operations, retail establishments, and restaurant or bar concepts. The abundance of parking and open yard space further supports adaptability for high-traffic or equipment-intensive operations.

What distinctly sets this property apart is its rear access to the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes—Citrus County’s largest freshwater system encompassing over 22,000 acres and 15 interconnected lakes. This lakefront position not only provides direct water access for marine-related services and recreational uses but also enhances visibility and appeal for destination-driven businesses. It creates a natural platform for adaptive reuse projects such as a waterfront restaurant, bar, or experience-based commercial concept targeting boaters, tourists, and locals alike.

In terms of location, the property is strategically placed just 3.2 miles from Downtown Inverness, 9.1 miles from Floral City, 20.8 miles from Crystal River, and 21.3 miles from The Villages—one of the fastest-growing residential communities in the country. This central access point enables efficient service to a broad consumer base, from long-term residents and retirees to transient recreational users and seasonal visitors. Citrus County itself, home to approximately 153,600 residents as of the latest census data, is poised for sustained expansion, with projections indicating a population nearing 350,000 by 2030 under the county’s Land Development Code. As part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area—the 18th largest in the United States—the area is increasingly recognized as a high-potential real estate market.

From an investment perspective, the property’s combination of strategic highway frontage, robust utility infrastructure, and unique water access positions it for long-term viability across multiple commercial verticals. Whether leveraged for a marine repair operation, automotive service center, contractor headquarters, or transformed into a lifestyle-oriented venue such as a waterfront restaurant or taproom, the site aligns well with both existing market needs and emerging growth trends. Its zoning flexibility, renovation quality, and proximity to expanding population centers make it a compelling choice for both users and developers seeking a value-driven asset with upside potential in one of Central Florida’s most dynamic and naturally beautiful submarkets.

Growth Outlook: For 8929 E Gulf to Lake Hwy, these trends mean the surrounding market for its services will likely expand. A larger population of lakefront homeowners and anglers will need marine services; more retirees with vehicles will need auto services; and generally more people in the area means more traffic on SR 44 (boosting visibility) and more potential patrons for any business established there. Demographically, the older skew may favor uses like boat/RV repair or casual dining (as retirees have leisure time), whereas if younger families start moving in over time, there could be additional demand for, say, recreational entertainment or contractor services. The Citrus County economic base is still heavily oriented toward services, retail, and healthcare (with a large regional hospital in Inverness and many medical offices serving the senior population). Unemployment is low, and job growth should follow population growth, albeit the county will likely remain a relatively low-density, semi-rural market with slow-and-steady development rather than rapid urbanization.

Zoning and Allowable Uses – Coastal Lakes Commercial (CLC)

This category designates those areas suitable for commercial development within the coastal, lakes, and river regions. The commercial uses allowed in this category are water-related, water-dependent, or necessary for the support of the immediate population. The designation is intended for a single commercial use or business on a single parcel of property. Commercial centers are not allowed, but multiple activities operated by a sole entity are allowed. This requirement is not intended to limit the number of structures as long as the development meets all requirements of this LDC. Area Requirements: Maximum Lot Coverage –50%. Floor Area Ratio (non-residential uses only).

Allowed Uses: Under CLC zoning, a wide range of commercial activities is permitted, largely comparable to the General Commercial (GNC) uses, but often with an emphasis on water-dependent or tourist-oriented uses. For example, retail stores, marine sales and service, auto/RV repair, contractors’ shops, professional offices, restaurants and bars, and similar general commercial uses are typically allowed by right in CLC (similarly to GNC zoning) The zoning is quite flexible in supporting business opportunities – a county document notes CLC zoning “offers an expansive array of opportunities” including everything from gas stations and convenience stores to offices and eateries. In the case of the subject property, the listing explicitly markets it for “marine, auto, home services, or retail entrepreneurs”, indicating those uses are envisioned and permitted. Outdoor storage yards, boat yards, or small-scale light industrial uses may also be allowable if ancillary to a principal commercial use (for instance, a contractor’s equipment yard or boat storage combined with a retail/office component could fit the code).

Waterfront Use Considerations: Because the site has lake access, it could be utilized as a marine service center, marina, or even a waterfront dining/entertainment venue, all of which align with CLC’s purpose. Notably, other properties with CLC have been approved for resort and hospitality uses: for example, a redevelopment in Ozello found that CLC zoning “permits the proposed restaurant and retail uses” of a waterfront resort (though adding lodging units required special approval). This suggests restaurants, bars, and retail are clearly within the allowed uses, while multi-family or residential components (like condos or apartments) are not outright permitted without a zoning change or conditional use.

Development Standards: Any new development or significant alteration on the site would be subject to Citrus County’s land development regulations (setbacks, parking, stormwater, etc.). The CLC district likely has standards similar to other commercial zones, with perhaps additional buffering or aesthetic requirements if adjacent to residential or environmental features. Given the site’s waterfront, environmental permitting (for any docks or shoreline improvements) would also come into play. The property is not within Inverness city limits, so County standards apply exclusively. One benefit noted in a comparable listing just outside Inverness is lower property taxes in the unincorporated area which also applies to 8929 E Gulf to Lake.

Logistic Details:

County Road 486 runs entirely along West Norvell Bryant Highway. It runs West to East from SR 44 east of Crystal River into US-41 in Hernando, just south of the southern terminus of SR 200. The route was once the former SR 486. County Road 486 spans 4 lanes, is almost entirely a divided highway, and is flanked by a parallel bicycle path on the south side.

County Road 491 is Lecanto Highway, a bi-county South to North road that begins at the Hernando-Citrus County Line in Oak Grove near the Withlacoochee State Forest and ends at SR 200 in Stoke's Ferry, just south of the intersection with the northern segment of CR 39. It was formerly designated as SR 491.

County Road 44 (often marked as County Road 44W) exists as the western tip of old Florida State Road 44, south of "Downtown" Crystal River. The suffix "W" was most likely added to not confuse this section with State Road 44, to the north, and to show its location by being west of US 19 and US 98(SR 55). As with the majority of these types of 'coastal spur' routes, in West Central Florida, it is county-maintained.

U.S. Route 19 (US-19) runs 264 miles (425 km) along Florida's West Coast from an interchange with U.S. Route 41 in Memphis, Florida, south of Tampa, and continues to the Georgia border north of Monticello, Florida. Newly 6 lane Highway was constructed from the Hernando County line to Fort Island Trail and US 19 in Crystal River, Florida.

Coastal & Lakes Commercial District (CLC)

This category designates those areas suitable for commercial development within the coastal, lakes, and river regions. The commercial uses allowed in this category are water-related, water-dependent, or necessary for the support of the immediate population. The designation is intended for a single commercial use or business on a single parcel of property. Commercial centers are not allowed, but multiple activities operated by a sole entity are allowed. This requirement is not intended to limit the number of structures as long as the development meets all requirements of this LDC. Area Requirements:

Maximum Lot Coverage –50%. Floor Area Ratio (non-residential uses only) – 0.3.

Coastal & Lakes Residential District (CLR)

This category recognizes lawful unrecorded and recorded subdivisions within the coastal, lakes, and river regions of the County. Density shall be limited to the maximum provided by the final development order approved for the underlying subdivision plat. Replanting to accomplish clustering and/or development consistent with current standards will be permitted provided gross density is not Increased. Area Requirements: Maximum Lot Coverage – 40%, except for lots of records that are less than 10,000 square feet in these areas shall not exceed 50%. For lots greater than 10,000 square feet but less than one (1) acre in size, an extra 10% of ISR may be added provided the same is a non-vertical improvement (i.e., walkways, decks, driveways, pool decks, and like or similar improvements). Floor Area Ratio (non-residential uses only) – 0.2.

Inverness:

Inverness is a city and the county seat of Citrus County, Florida, United States. It is near the 10,950-acre (4,430 ha) Flying Eagle Preserve. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,543. Inverness is located in eastern Citrus County, on the western shore of the connected Tsala Apopka and Henderson lakes. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.7 square miles (19.9 km2), of which 7.6 square miles (19.7 km2) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.2 km2), or 1.01%, is water. Within the city are 330 acres (130 ha) of land reserved for passive and active park usage.

Suncoast Parkway:

The Suncoast Parkway recently opened was a $135 Million Dollar expansion that extends 13 miles north from US-98 to SR 44 which features 15 new bridges, electronic tolling gantries, and the extension of The Suncoast Trail part of the Florida's Statewide Greenways and Trail System. The Suncoast Parkway is just 68 Miles 1 hour and 15 mins from Tampa making it a great commuting Highway for the workforce seeking to be outside of the Tampa traffic. The Veterans Expressway and Suncoast Parkway is a north–south toll road near the Florida Gulf Coast. Maintained and operated by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, this 68-mile transportation corridor extends from State Road 60 in Tampa, north to State Road 44 near Lecanto.

Citrus County Growth:

Citrus County, Florida's estimated population is 155,582 with a growth rate of 1.29% in the past year according to the most recent United States census data. Citrus County, Florida is the 34th largest county in Florida. The 2010 Population was 141,173 and has seen a growth of 10.21% since this time. Citrus County's current LDC allows for approximately a population of 350k residencies. Given the expansion of the Suncoast Parkway and the 6-lane expansion of US 19, we are in the path of tremendous growth. Currently, Citrus County has 60,000 vacant parcels of land prime for development. The County and incorporated Cities have plans for extensive utility expansion throughout the county including the expansion of the Crystal River Airport Runway 5000 feet to allow for larger aircraft to land and take off including a newly funded 75 acres industrial complex granted by the state to expand utilities, road reconstruction to support eighteen wheelers and to include environmentally friendly and energy conservation features.