Cape Coral has extensive vacant lot maintenance requirements due to the large number of undeveloped lots in the city. Vacant lot owners must maintain their properties to prevent overgrowth, standing water, and blight conditions.
Vacant lots must be mowed and maintained to keep vegetation below 10 inches. Standing water that creates mosquito breeding habitat must be addressed. Debris, trash, and construction materials must be removed. The city conducts proactive inspections of vacant lots and responds to complaints. Out-of-state and absentee lot owners are responsible for maintenance and must arrange for regular mowing service. Cape Coral has one of the highest ratios of vacant lots to developed lots in Florida, making vacant lot maintenance a major enforcement priority. The city may perform abatement mowing and charge the property owner.
Overgrown vacant lots receive violation notices with compliance deadlines. Failure to comply results in the city mowing the lot and placing a lien for the cost of abatement plus administrative fees. Repeat offenders may be mowed proactively and billed. Daily fines of up to $250 may be imposed through Special Magistrate proceedings.
Cape Coral, FL
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Cape Coral, FL
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Cape Coral, FL
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Cape Coral, FL
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Cape Coral, FL
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Cape Coral, FL
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See how Cape Coral's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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