Ocala Palms is a gated 55+ golf community in northwest Ocala, zip code 34482, along US Highway 27 between I-75 and the World Equestrian Center. It has more than 1,000 single-family and villa homes built from 1993 to 2006 around an 18-hole, par 72 course and a 19,000 square foot clubhouse. Owners pay a mandatory monthly assessment to the company that runs the amenities, plus a separate cable covenant fee, so read both before you make an offer.
Where Ocala Palms is
Ocala Palms sits along US Highway 27 (NW Blitchton Road) in northwest Marion County, just west of I-75. Homes carry Ocala 34482 addresses on streets such as NW 21st Street, NW 21st Loop, NW 50th Avenue, NW 50th Circle, NW 55th Avenue Road, NW 18th Street, and NW 26th Lane. The location puts you a few minutes from the interstate and a short drive east of the World Equestrian Center at 1750 NW 80th Ave.
Zip code 34482 is mostly horse country, farms, and acreage. Ocala Palms is one of the denser, lower-maintenance options in it. For the rest of the zip code, start with the 34482 zip code guide, and for a nearby club community at a very different price point, see Golden Ocala.
How the community is set up
This is the part most buyers miss. According to the community's own welcome information (January 2025), Ocala Palms is a deed-restricted Planned Unit Development governed by recorded Covenants and Restrictions. It is not run like a typical HOA. Instead, a private company, Ocala Palms Operations LLC (OPO), owns, maintains, and manages the common property, including the clubhouse, amenities, and roads. The original developer was Venture & Associates.
You will still see a monthly figure in the "HOA" field of MLS listings. That number is usually the OPO assessment. What it covers, per the welcome information:
- Use of the clubhouse and amenities
- The 24-hour front gate attendant
- Weekly curbside trash pickup
- Common area maintenance
Two more costs come with the home. New residents pay a one-time community orientation fee to OPO at closing, and a mandatory monthly covenant fee to Homeland Optical Technology for a basic cable TV package. Golf is not included in the assessment.
The community is marketed and operated as a 55+ community. Age-qualification rules, leasing rules, and occupancy rules are set by the governing documents, so read them before you write an offer.
Golf, clubhouse, and amenities
The golf course is owned and operated by OPO, separate from the residents' association. The welcome information describes it as open to the public, with play at separate fees and seasonal and yearly memberships available.
- Golf: 18 holes, par 72, about 6,500 yards, with a driving range, putting green, and pro shop. Third-party course directories list it as semi-private or public daily fee and show a 1994 opening.
- Clubhouse: about 19,000 square feet, with a ballroom, card room, billiards room, library, fitness center, catering kitchen, and arts and crafts room.
- Pools: an outdoor pool with spa and sundeck, plus an indoor pool.
- Courts and games: three tennis courts with pickleball setups, six bocce courts, six shuffleboard courts, a horseshoe pit, table tennis, and a dart room.
- RV storage: available on site for an additional fee.
Amenities and fees change. Confirm what is open today and current pricing with OPO before you count on any of it.
What the homes look like
Ocala Palms is resale only. There is no builder selling new homes inside the gates. Based on 55places community data (October 2026), homes run from about 1,050 to 2,654 square feet, with 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 to 3 baths, and 2 to 2.5 car garages. Most are concrete block and stucco, with some frame construction.
- Villas: the smallest plans, roughly 1,050 to 1,400 square feet, often 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.
- Single-family homes: mid-size and larger plans, some on golf course or pond lots.
Most homes here are 20 to 30 years old. That age drives three things buyers should check: roof age, HVAC age, and the condition of plumbing and water heaters. Insurers often ask for a 4-point inspection on homes of this age, and a wind mitigation report on concrete block homes can help with premiums. Get both during your inspection period.
What the market looks like here
55places (October 2026) put typical asking prices in the high $200,000s to low $300,000s and listed monthly fees of about $198 to $295. Treat that as a snapshot, not a valuation. Price per square foot swings with plan size, golf frontage, updates, and roof and HVAC age, so compare a villa to villas and a pool home to pool homes. For county-wide trends, see the Ocala market report.
Cost of ownership checklist
Before you sign, request:
- The recorded Covenants and Restrictions and any rules adopted under them.
- The current OPO assessment, the orientation fee, and the cable covenant fee in writing, plus any balance owed.
- Utility details. The welcome information lists water from Ocala Palms Utilities LLC and electric and sewer from the City of Ocala. Ask for recent bills.
- Property tax history from the Marion County Property Appraiser and the current bill from the Marion County Tax Collector. A sale price well above the seller's assessed value usually means a higher bill after closing.
- Insurance quotes based on the 4-point and wind mitigation reports, and flood zone confirmation.
If it will be your primary residence, read the Florida homestead exemption guide and file by the deadline.
For sellers
Buyers in Ocala Palms compare you against other gated 55+ communities across Ocala, so the details carry weight. Have the roof, HVAC, and water heater ages ready, along with permits for any updates, a recent wind mitigation report, and the current OPO and cable fee amounts. A pre-listing 4-point inspection removes a common reason deals stall. Price against recent sales of the same plan type, and remember that winter brings more seasonal buyers to Ocala.
For investors
Start with the Covenants and Restrictions. Age-qualification rules, leasing minimums, and approval steps decide whether a rental plan works at all. Budget for the OPO assessment and the cable fee, which continue whether or not the home is occupied. Talk with a CPA about how a rental fits your situation. Rental demand is never guaranteed.
Getting around: approximate drive times
Typical off-peak estimates from the US 27 area near the community. Check a mapping app for a specific address.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| I-75 at US 27 (Exit 354) | About 2 to 3 miles | 5 to 8 min |
| World Equestrian Center (1750 NW 80th Ave) | About 3 miles | 6 to 10 min |
| Downtown Ocala square | About 6 miles | 15 to 20 min |
| Paddock Mall area (SR 200) | About 7 miles | 15 to 20 min |
| Gainesville (UF area) | About 35 miles | 40 to 45 min |
Schools
Public school zoning in Marion County is assigned by address. For any home, check the Marion County Public Schools zoned school locator. The Ocala schools page explains school choice options.
Financing and first steps
If you are using VA benefits, read the VA buyer guide and confirm with your lender how the community's fees are treated in your approval. To compare Ocala Palms with other age-qualified options, see Ocala 55+ communities and communities near WEC.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ocala Palms in zip code 34482?
Yes. Homes in Ocala Palms carry Ocala, FL 34482 addresses on streets such as NW 21st Loop, NW 50th Avenue, and NW 55th Avenue Road.
Is Ocala Palms a 55+ community?
Yes. The community's welcome information describes it as a 55+ community, and it is gated with a 24-hour gate attendant. Age-qualification and occupancy rules are set by the governing documents, so read them for the specific home.
Does Ocala Palms have an HOA?
Not a typical one. It is a deed-restricted Planned Unit Development with recorded Covenants and Restrictions. A private company, Ocala Palms Operations LLC, owns and manages the clubhouse, amenities, and roads and charges a mandatory monthly assessment. MLS listings often show that assessment in the HOA field.
What does the monthly fee in Ocala Palms cover?
Per the welcome information, the OPO assessment covers clubhouse and amenity use, the 24-hour gate attendant, weekly curbside trash pickup, and common area maintenance. A separate monthly cable covenant fee and a one-time orientation fee at closing also apply. Golf is not included.
Is the Ocala Palms golf course open to the public?
Yes. The welcome information says the 18-hole, par 72 course is open to the public at separate fees, with seasonal and yearly memberships available.
Can you build a new home in Ocala Palms?
Ocala Palms is a resale community. Homes were built from 1993 to 2006, and there is no builder selling new homes inside the gates.
How far is Ocala Palms from the World Equestrian Center?
About 3 miles, or roughly 6 to 10 minutes by car in typical traffic. The World Equestrian Center is at 1750 NW 80th Ave, west of the community.
What should I inspect when buying in Ocala Palms?
Roof age, HVAC age, water heater, plumbing, and electrical panel, since most homes are 20 to 30 years old. Ask for a 4-point inspection and a wind mitigation report, which insurers commonly request.
Which public schools serve Ocala Palms addresses?
School zoning in Marion County is assigned by address. Use the Marion County Public Schools zoned school locator to confirm the zoned schools for any specific property.
Your local guide
Cristian Gonzalez, REALTOR®, eXp Realty · FL License #3633800
Born and raised in Marion County and a military Veteran, Cristian works with buyers and sellers across Ocala with a strategy-first approach: what a home costs to own, what it will take to maintain, and how it fits your long-term plan. In Ocala Palms, that means reading the Covenants, the OPO assessment, and the cable covenant before the offer, not after it.
I don't just find homes, I engineer your wealth.
Related Ocala resources
Sources
- Welcome to Ocala Palms information (January 2025): governance, OPO, fees, utilities, golf, clubhouse, amenities
- 55places: Ocala Palms community data (home count, sizes, construction, price and fee ranges; accessed October 2026)
- GolfN: Ocala Palms Golf & Country Club (semi-private, 1994) and Stymie: course details
- World Equestrian Center Ocala FAQ (address)
- Marion County Property Appraiser and Marion County Tax Collector
- Marion County Public Schools: Find your zoned school
General information only, not legal, tax, insurance, or lending advice. Covenants, fees, amenities, golf access, utilities, zoning, and school assignments change; confirm with Ocala Palms Operations, the governing documents, Marion County, the Marion County Property Appraiser, Marion County Public Schools, a CPA, an attorney, an insurance agent, or a licensed lender. Market figures are third-party snapshots and drive times are estimates. Equal Housing Opportunity.