Outdoor Kitchen Permits: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers
How do outdoor kitchen permits rules compare between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers, FL?
Cape Coral, FL
Lee County
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Cape Coral require building, electrical, plumbing, and gas permits from the city's Building Division and must comply with the 2023 Florida Building Code (8th Edition) and the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and seawall/canal proximity rules from the Land Development Code Article 5 also apply. Coastal wind-load and FEMA flood-zone requirements often add elevation and anchoring obligations for properties in Zone AE or VE.
View full Cape Coral rules →Fort Myers, FL
Lee County
No data available yet for Fort Myers.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cape Coral | Fort Myers |
|---|---|---|
| Building Code | Florida Building Code 2023 (8th Ed.) | - |
| Setbacks | LDC Art. 5 Ch. 2; 25 ft from seawall | - |
| Wind Load | ~170 mph ultimate design wind speed | - |
| Gas Permit | Licensed gas contractor required | - |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of building permit fee | - |
| Flood Zone | VE requires breakaway/elevated utilities | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cape Coral FAQ
Do I need a permit for a built-in outdoor kitchen in Cape Coral?
Yes. Any permanent installation with gas, plumbing, electrical, or a roof structure requires building permits and trade permits from the Cape Coral Building Division. Freestanding portable grills on a patio do not require permits, but built-in counters with hard-piped gas or water do.
How close to my canal seawall can I build an outdoor kitchen?
Cape Coral's Land Development Code requires a 25-foot setback from the seawall (mean high water line on the canal side). An outdoor kitchen built closer than that requires a variance and may not be approvable due to flood and seawall load considerations.
Fort Myers FAQ
No FAQs available.
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