Iguana Damage in Palm Beach County: What Buyers Should Check

What Iguanas Actually Damage

The FWC green iguana profile, checked October 28, 2026, identifies burrowing as a cause of damage to seawalls, canal banks, sidewalks and foundations. The agency also identifies landscaping damage. That establishes a real concern to investigate; it does not establish what caused a crack at a particular home.

• Seawall and canal bank: ask a qualified marine contractor or engineer about observed movement, loss of soil or other signs that need investigation.
• Pool deck and pavers: note settling and uneven surfaces for inspection; do not assume every hollow area is an iguana tunnel.
• Foundation and driveway: have concerning changes evaluated by the appropriate qualified professional.
• Landscaping: separate plant damage and routine grounds work from questions about structural support.

Photograph concerns from a stable location and ask for records. Avoid testing a suspect edge by walking onto it or probing into a void.

A Wellington Example: Ask for the Entrance Records

For a community entrance beside a canal, ask who owns the bank and paved approach, what repairs were performed and whether an engineer or contractor documented the cause. A repaired entrance should prompt a records question rather than a conclusion about every nearby lot.

Apply that same approach to an individual waterfront home: request the scope of work, invoices and any available inspection or permit records. Ask what was repaired and whether the underlying cause was addressed. A contractor's written findings are more useful than an informal attribution to wildlife.

Removal Rules, Costs and Who Pays

FWC's current guidance says humane removal on private land requires landowner permission and compliance with anti-cruelty requirements. It prohibits relocating captured green iguanas for release elsewhere in Florida. FWC also says possession of live captured green iguanas for control requires a permit; use its current guidance and ask a professional wildlife operator about the proposed service.

Get a property-specific written estimate separating wildlife work, repeat visits, ground restoration and any structural repair. Ask who will perform each part, what follow-up is included and which approvals may be needed. Removing an animal and repairing a wall are different jobs.

Check ownership boundaries and the association's governing documents before assigning a bill to an owner or an HOA. Ask the manager about shared-bank maintenance, repair plans, reserves and any assessment discussions. Ask your insurance agent or insurer to review the actual policy and proposed loss; do not assume either coverage or exclusion.

So Is the Coyote Your Friend?

A 2026 Journal of Urban Ecology study at Montgomery Botanical Center in Miami-Dade County identified iguanas among coyote food items and found seasonal changes in diet. This was research at a particular site, not a test showing that coyotes protect Palm Beach County seawalls.

Keep the wildlife observation separate from your inspection and maintenance decisions. A coyote sighting does not tell you whether burrowing is active or whether a bank is sound.

FWC's coyote guidance says coyotes can prey on cats and small dogs. Keep pets from roaming, secure pet food and garbage, and follow the agency's current advice for reducing conflicts. Do not attract coyotes to the property as pest control.

What I Would Tell You To Do

Start with a stable, safe viewing position and ask your home inspector to identify concerns that need a specialist. For a seawall or bank concern, arrange the appropriate qualified evaluation while you still have time to act under the contract. Brian can help coordinate real estate questions; an engineer or qualified contractor evaluates the structure.

• Ask the seller for prior wildlife-service, seawall and bank-repair records.
• Compare the repair scope with current observations and ask about warranties or unresolved work.
• Check where the property boundary and common-area responsibilities fall.
• Ask the insurer about the policy's treatment of the particular condition.
• Have an attorney advise on disclosure obligations and any unresolved legal issue.

For ongoing management, review FWC's homeowner assistance material with your wildlife professional. Have a qualified professional evaluate suspected voids or structural movement before filling holes or altering the bank; cosmetic filling can obscure a condition that needs attention.