Water Restrictions: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers
How do water restrictions rules compare between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers, FL?
Cape Coral and Fort Myers have similar restriction levels.
Cape Coral, FL
Lee County
Unincorporated Lee County limits landscape irrigation to set days by address and bans watering from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round under Ordinance No. 24-01, supplementing the SFWMD Year-Round rule (FAC 40E-24). A stricter one-day schedule runs February through May.
View full Cape Coral rules →Fort Myers, FL
Lee County
Fort Myers Code of Ordinances Chapter 90, Article III (Water Shortage Regulations) enforces year-round landscape irrigation limits aligned with SFWMD Chapter 40E-24, F.A.C. Irrigation is prohibited daily between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Even-numbered addresses may water Thursday and/or Sunday; odd-numbered addresses may water Wednesday and/or Saturday. Hand watering with a self-cancelling nozzle is allowed at any time. Penalties reach $500 per day per violation.
View full Fort Myers rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cape Coral | Fort Myers |
|---|---|---|
| No-watering hours | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily | - |
| Odd addresses (Jun-Jan) | Wed and/or Sat | - |
| Even addresses (Jun-Jan) | Thu and/or Sun | - |
| Feb 1 - May 31 | One day per week | - |
| Ordinance | Lee County No. 24-01 | - |
| City Authority | - | Ch. 90, Art. III — Water Shortage Regulations |
| State Authority | - | SFWMD Ch. 40E-24, F.A.C. |
| Prohibited Hours (City) | - | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily |
| Prohibited Hours (SFWMD) | - | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily |
| Even Addresses | - | Thursday and/or Sunday |
| Odd Addresses | - | Wednesday and/or Saturday |
| Hand Watering | - | Any time w/ self-cancelling nozzle |
| Penalty | - | Up to $500/day |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cape Coral FAQ
What days can I water my lawn in unincorporated Lee County?
June-January: odd addresses water Wednesday/Saturday, even addresses Thursday/Sunday. February-May a stricter one-day schedule applies (odd Saturday, even Sunday). No watering 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Are there exceptions to the watering days?
Yes. Low-volume and micro-irrigation, hand watering with a self-shutoff nozzle, and rain barrels or cisterns may be used any day, though reclaimed-water and hand watering still avoid the 9 a.m.-5 p.m. window.
Fort Myers FAQ
What days can I water my lawn in Fort Myers?
Year-round: even-numbered addresses on Thursday and/or Sunday; odd-numbered addresses on Wednesday and/or Saturday. Irrigation is prohibited daily between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM under City Ordinance Chapter 90, Article III.
Can I water by hand any time?
Yes. SFWMD Chapter 40E-24, F.A.C., expressly allows hand watering at any time provided the hose has a self-cancelling (shut-off) nozzle. Low-volume drip and micro-jet irrigation are also exempt from the day/time schedule.
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