Renting your home to visitors? See Vacation rental rules (owners) — registration, taxes and city rules.
Pets
Dogs & cats: license, rabies, leash
Lee County requires rabies vaccination and a county license tag for dogs and cats.
Tell me more
- Rabies shots and the county license are handled through your vet or Lee County Domestic Animal Services.
- Dogs must be under control on a leash in public places unless inside a posted off-leash dog park.
- Pick up after your pet — waste rules and fines are in the city and county codes.
- Dog parks may require registration; check the park's posted rules first.
Required: rabies vaccine & county license
Florida law requires rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets; Lee County requires a pet license tag.
Tell me more
- Vaccinate dogs, cats and ferrets from 4 months old, by a licensed vet.
- Buy the Lee County license at your vet or through Domestic Animal Services; it's tied to the rabies vaccine.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Dog parks & dog beaches
Cape Coral has off-leash dog parks; Lee County runs a dog beach at Bonita Beach Dog Park.
Tell me more
- Most Lee County beaches don't allow dogs — use the designated dog beach.
- Check each park's rules for vaccination tags and hours.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Wildlife & heat
Alligators, toads and heat are real risks for pets here.
Tell me more
- Keep dogs away from freshwater edges; alligators live in canals, ponds and lakes.
- Cane toads are toxic to dogs — see the Danger Zone page for what to do.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Heat
Never leave a pet in a parked car — it heats up fast even in winter sun.
Tell me more
- Walk early morning or evening.
- If pavement is too hot for the back of your hand for 7 seconds, it's too hot for paws.
- Always carry water.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Cane toad first aid
If your dog mouths a cane toad, act right away.
Tell me more
- Rinse the mouth with running water, pointing the nose DOWN so the dog doesn't swallow it.
- Wipe the gums with a damp cloth.
- Then call your vet or an emergency vet right away.
- Signs: drooling, red gums, pawing at the mouth, stumbling, seizures.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Pet ER
Two 24/7 emergency vet hospitals in Fort Myers, plus the pet poison line.
Tell me more
- VEG ER for Pets — 5010 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers. Open 24/7.
- BluePearl Pet Hospital — 9500 Marketplace Rd, Fort Myers. Emergency 24/7.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — 24/7, a consultation fee may apply.
Shelling
Live shells are off-limits
Empty shells are fine to collect; shells with a living animal inside are protected.
Tell me more
- Taking live shells requires a Florida saltwater fishing license and state limits apply — and some places ban it outright.
- Sanibel prohibits collecting any live shell, sand dollar, starfish or sea urchin.
- If something moves or has an animal inside, put it back in the water.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Sewer & UEP
Mandatory sewer hookup
When city sewer reaches your street, connecting is required — not optional.
Tell me more
- You must connect within 180 days of the city's certified-mail letter saying service is ready.
- Your septic tank must then be properly abandoned by a licensed contractor.
- One-time connection fees are charged per 10,000 sq ft of land.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
UEP assessments
The Utilities Extension Project brings water, sewer and irrigation lines to older neighborhoods and bills owners an assessment.
Tell me more
- Assessments follow the property — ask the seller whether one is paid off or still on the tax bill.
- Check the city's UEP map to see if and when your area is scheduled.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
What the UEP is
Cape Coral's Utilities Extension Project brings city water, sewer and irrigation water to neighborhoods still on wells and septic.
Tell me more
- The city extends lines area by area on a published schedule.
- Owners in a project area pay a special assessment for the new lines, usually payable over years on the property tax bill or up front.
- Once service is available, owners must connect within the time the city sets, and pay connection and plumbing costs.
- Check whether a home has an open or future UEP assessment before you buy — it follows the property.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Septic systems
Homes not yet on sewer use septic tanks, which are regulated by the state.
Tell me more
- Florida's septic program is run by the Department of Environmental Protection.
- Repairs, replacements and new systems need a state permit.
- Ask for pump-out and inspection records when buying a home on septic.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Wells & irrigation water
Many homes use a private well for irrigation; the city supplies reclaimed water in served areas.
Tell me more
- Reclaimed (irrigation) water is not for drinking — pipes and spigots are marked purple.
- Lawn watering follows city-set days and hours.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Hurricane alerts
Get alerts & know your zone
Evacuation orders are issued by zone, so you need to know yours before a storm.
Tell me more
- Sign up for AlertLee, Lee County's official emergency alert system, for texts, calls and emails.
- Look up your evacuation zone on Lee County Emergency Management's site — zones, not cities, decide who leaves.
- Follow the National Hurricane Center for official watches and warnings.
- Hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30.
Cape Coral
Zoning: what you can build where
Every lot has a zoning district that sets its use, setbacks, height and lot coverage.
Tell me more
- Look up your lot's zoning on the city's map before buying, building or adding on.
- Setbacks (how close you can build to the lot lines and the canal) differ by district and by waterfront vs. dry lot.
- Variances and rezonings go through public hearings, which take time.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Building permits
Roofs, windows, A/C, pools, fences, sheds, generators and remodels generally need a permit.
Tell me more
- Apply online through Development Services; work must pass city inspections.
- All work must meet the Florida Building Code, including hurricane wind-load rules.
- Homeowners may act as their own contractor on their own home under the owner-builder rule, with limits.
- Unpermitted work can surface at sale and may need to be permitted after the fact or removed.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Docks, lifts & seawalls
Waterfront structures have their own permit and size rules.
Tell me more
- Docks and boat lifts need a city permit; how far they can extend depends on canal width.
- Seawall repair or replacement needs a permit and may need state or federal environmental approval.
- Ask the city which approvals apply to your canal before hiring a marine contractor.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Flood zone rebuilding (50% rule)
Big repairs or remodels in a flood zone can require raising the whole house.
Tell me more
- If improvements or storm damage repairs cost 50% or more of the building's value, the house must be brought up to current flood rules.
- This often means elevating the home or rebuilding — check before you buy an older home in a flood zone.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Burrowing owls
Cape Coral has Florida's largest burrowing owl population, and they're protected.
Tell me more
- Disturbing an owl or its burrow is against state law.
- Building on a lot with burrows may need an FWC permit — check vacant lots before you plan construction.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Everyday code rules
Parking, boats, trailers, RVs, lawn care, noise and irrigation days are all regulated.
Tell me more
- Parking boats, trailers and RVs at a house is restricted — read the code before storing one in the driveway.
- Lawn irrigation is limited to set days and hours.
- Code violations are handled by the city's Code Compliance division and can bring fines.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Fort Myers Beach
Zoning & the Land Development Code
Fort Myers Beach is its own town with its own zoning and building rules — separate from Lee County and Cape Coral.
Tell me more
- The Town's Land Development Code sets uses, setbacks, height and density for each district.
- Much of the island is in high-risk coastal flood zones, so elevation rules shape most new building.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Building & rebuilding after hurricanes
Permits come from the Town, and the 50% flood rule applies to repairs.
Tell me more
- Repairs, rebuilds and new homes need Town permits and must meet the Florida Building Code.
- Storm damage repairs at 50% or more of the building's value require bringing the home up to current flood elevation.
Sea turtle lighting
During nesting season, lights visible from the beach must be shielded or off at night.
Tell me more
- Nesting season runs roughly May 1 – October 31.
- Beachfront homes and rentals must keep lights from shining onto the sand.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Beach & rental rules
Beach use, pets, noise and vacation rentals are regulated by the Town.
Tell me more
- Beach rules (pets, glass, structures left overnight) are in the Town code — check before you go.
- Short-term rentals may need registration and must follow Town rules; check before listing.
Sources · checked Sept 27, 2026
Plain-language summary, not legal advice. Exact numbers (setbacks, dock lengths, fines, dates) are in the official codes linked above and change — confirm with the city or town before you act.