City of Cape Coral

Are there any programs to help with the cost of Assessments, Betterment, Impact Fees and the cost of Utility Connection?
Yes. The Hardship Deferral Program is to provide a method whereby permanent City of Cape Coral residents whose total household income is at or below a certain level, as established by the United States government, can defer payment of all or a portion of their sewer, potable water, mandatory seawall and irrigation water special assessments or betterment fees, and/or water and sewer impact fees until such time as their property is sold or transferred or they no longer qualify for deferral according to the guidelines established in the Hardship Resolution in force. NOTE: Hardship deferral shall only be available for homesteaded properties and for those fees that are billed directly by the City. Fees that are included in the property tax bill as a non-ad valorem assessment are not eligible for the City’s hardship deferral program.

There is also Utility Connection Grant monies available to assist very low, low and moderate income families who qualify according to their income. Approved applicants will have their plumber bill for the water/sewer connection, the meter fee and the septic abandonment fees paid by the grant (up to $2,000).

How do I qualify for these programs?
The Income Guidelines of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development provides you with the information to determine if you qualify for Hardship and for The Utility Connection Grant. Each Program has its own table.

Click here for the Hardship Income Guidelines
Click here for the Utility Connection Grant Income Guidelines

How can I get an application?
You can click on the below links or you can pick up an application at City Hall, Customer Billing Services. You can also contact the Hardship Clerk at 239-574-0401 ext. 2433 and ask to have an application mailed to you.

To apply for Hardship deferral click on the Hardship Application
To apply for grant assistance click on the Utility Connection Grant

How much money will I receive?
With the Hardship Deferral Program you receive no money. A percentage (between 10% and 100%) of your yearly bill will be deferred until such time as the property is sold or transferred or you no longer qualify for deferral. The undeferred portion of your yearly bill is still due and payable.

If you qualify for the Utility Connection Grant Program, the grant will pay the cost for the connection directly to the plumber. The meter fee and septic abandonment permit fee will be credited to your utility bill accordingly. The grant assistance is a gift up to $2,000 and there are no costs to you.

Is there any cost associated with Hardship Deferral Program?
There is a 1% Administrative Fee of the total deferred amount. During the deferral period, interest still accrues on the deferred amount.

If I qualify for Hardship how long will my assessments be deferred?
The deferrals are good until there is a change of ownership or the applicant does not pay current any undeferred amounts.

Do I have to re-apply each year for the Hardship Program?
Yes, each year requires updated information to re-qualify. As your income changes each year so may your deferral percentage change.

If I qualify for grant assistance for utility connection, will I have to pay back the money?
The Utility Connection Program is funded through federal funds and does not have to be paid back.

Can I get any help with the Assessments on my tax bill?
The Tax Collector does have several assistance programs. Please contact the Tax Collector’s Office at 239-339-6000 for more information.

Do I have to pay the assessments if my land is vacant?
Yes. Assessments are due irregardless if the property is vacant or improved.

How do I pay my assessments?
Assessments can be paid by check or credit card. (Credit card payments are accepted either by mail or by phone).

If I sell the property, do I have to pay off the assessment?
No. The City does not require the assessment to be paid in full upon transfer of the title, but does require that the assessments are paid current at that time. The new owner will assume responsibility for payment of any remaining assessment amount.
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What will happen if I do not pay the assessment?
You should be aware that City Council has taken more aggressive action on delinquent accounts, including foreclosure.

I currently claim a deduction for property taxes on my income tax return each year. Can I claim a deduction for my assessment?
This is a question for your tax consultant.

How do I change my mailing address for the assessments?
You need to notify the Lee County Property Appraiser’s website at Lee County Property Line www.leepa.org. The City will receive the change in your mailing address via the weekly update received from the Property Appraiser’s office.

What is the Lot Mowing Program?
The City’s lot mowing program provides benefit to the citizens of Cape Coral by controlling vegetation, growth and inhabitation of vermin. In addition, the Lot Mowing Program funds the removal of invasive or harmful non-native plant species.

What period does the lot mowing charges cover?
The period is from January 1st through December 31st each year.

How many mowing’s are there for the year?
There are 7 mows each year, with the exception of those parcels that are located in an eagle’s nesting zone, which could get as few as 4 mows if the eagles are nesting. The mowing’s, beginning in early April are done every 5-6 weeks, with the final mowing occurring in December. No mowing’s are scheduled for the dry months, January through March.

How often are Lot Mowing Program fees billed?
Lot mowing fees, billed annually on December 28th, are due within 60 days of the bill date or a 1% penalty accrues monthly until the balance is paid in full. The charges are $3.00 per lot per mowing cycle or $42.00 for the typical 10,000-sq.ft parcel. Two delinquent notices are mailed each year and accounts are liened for delinquent balance amounts.

I only have 1 lot. Why am I being charged for 2?
The Lot Mowing fee is based on an equivalent lot or each 5,000 sq. ft. of a parcel and rounds to the nearest whole lot. Therefore, a 12,000 sq. ft. parcel would be billed $3 times 2 (2.2 equivalent lots, rounded) times 7 mows or $42.00.

I don’t want the city to mow my lots. Is the program mandatory?
Per City Ordinance 111-03 Sec. 9-81, all unimproved real property in the city shall be included in the city Lot Mowing Program. Individual property owners may request an exemption from the program upon submission to the City Manager, or his/her designee, a written statement, postmarked within 60 days of the date of the annual December bill. Property Owners are to indicate in the written statement that they are requesting an exemption from the Lot Mowing Program, stating that they intend to ensure that their property will be routinely mowed so that the height of grass, weeds and underbrush thereon will not exceed 12 inches in height. The City Manager or his/her designee may revoke an exemption if the property owner fails to keep the property mowed as required. Send exemption request to: City of Cape Coral, Customer Billing Services Division, and P.O. Box 150006, Cape Coral FL 33915-0006.

What do I do if building takes place during the year?
Your lots will continue to be mowed until the lots are scrapped and building commences. At that time, the mowing is automatically ceased. Upon the owner’s request, a credit refund may be issued for any mowing that has been billed but not performed.

If I sell my lot, do I need to notify the city?
No, ownership changes are received and updated on a weekly basis from the Lee County Property Appraisers Office.

If I have a complaint about the vacant lots, who do I contact.
Any complaints should be directed the City of Cape Coral’s Citizens Action Center, 239-574-0425.

What does the Stormwater fee pay for?
The monies collected from the stormwater fees are used to improve the City’s drainage system and perform canal dredging/maintenance.

Why do we have to pay stormwater fees if it is vacant land?
Every property in the City is billed for stormwater regardless if it is vacant or improved. A good stormwater management program ensures that the environment, the quality of life, and property values are protected.

Our property doesn’t flood. Why do we have to pay stormwater fees?
Your property may not be flooding as a result of the stormwater effort.

Why is my neighbor’s stormwater bill less?
The stormwater fee is based on the square footage of the property - therefore a 3-lot parcel would be charged more than a 2-lot parcel.

How often is stormwater fee billed?
The stormwater fee is billed once a year as a non ad valorem tax on the Lee County Tax bill.

When did the stormwater program begin?
The Stormwater program began in 1990.

What are ERU’s?
ERU’s are Equivalent Residential Units or 10,000 sq. ft, which is the standard unit used to calculate developed residential property’s stormwater fees.

Why are my ERU’s more than last year, but the property is the same size?
When there is any improvement done to the property such a building, a house, or adding on to a commercial building, the area of the parcel that allows water to enter directly into the ground is reduced. This results in a new stormwater fee calculation that charges more for area that causes stormwater runoff due to buildings, driveways, sidewalks, etc.

What is the billing period?
The billing period is October 1st through September 30th.

My delinquent stormwater fee was paid on my property tax bill, can you release any liens that were put on my property?
Prior to billing delinquent stormwater accounts on the tax bill, all liens for those delinquent amounts were released.

What is my account balance?
You will need your account number and temporary PIN number located on your billing statement to access your account balance online. Click on CLICK2GOV Utilities to view your account balance online. If you do not know your account number or PIN number, you can call Customer Billing Services at 239- 574-7722.

I had a recent name change. How do I go about changing my name on the utility account?
We would need legal documentation such as a marriage license, divorce papers, etc to have your name changed on the utility account. You can send this to us via mail, fax (239)242-3898, or you can bring the documentation in person to City Hall.

My wife/husband (family member) is deceased. How do I remove their name from the utility account?
We would need a copy of their death certificate in order to remove the name from the account.

Is there a new account charge or a deposit?
No new account charge is assessed on new accounts, however deposits, refundable after 24 months of good account history. New account applicants may be exempt from a deposit requirement if they are a new customer with a written statement from another utility company that previously provided service to the customer stating that the new customer’s account did not have, during the preceding 12 months, more than one late payment, paid with a check refused by the bank, had utility service discontinued for non-payment, tampered with a meter or used utility service in a fraudulent or unauthorized manner. A customer who has had a previous utility account with the City may be exempted from paying a customer deposit if their previous account history meets the above stated criteria.

Where are you located? What is your physical address?
Our physical address is 1490 Pine Island Rd NE, #10E Cape Coral, FL.

Can I have my utility account bill deducted from my credit card or bank account each month?
At this time, we are unable to made an automatic deduction for your utility account bill from a credit card. However, we do accept credit card (Visa or Master Card) payments over the phone or you may make payment using the Click2Gov Utilities online payment system. You will need to use the temporary PIN number provided on the front of your utility bill to obtain your personal PIN number for future online payments of your utility bill. We also have a Direct Pay program that automatically deducts your utility bill from your checking account. To sign up for the checking account deductions, we would need a copy of a voided check and the City’s Direct Pay application form completed. For questions go to Direct Pay FAQ’s. Click here for the Direct Pay Application.

I am certain that I did not use that much water on my last utility bill. What can be done to check the meter?
First, check all toilets and valves for any visible or silent leaks. If you have a pool, check your equipment or solar paneling for any visible leaks. Upon your request call 239-574-7722, select option 6, a field representative will visit your property to verify that the read is correct and check for any meter dial movement that could identify that there may be a leak on the property.

Do I have a grace period to pay my utility bill?
Yes, payment must be received in our office no more than 5 days after the due date stated on your utility bill. Any payments received after the 5-day grace period will result in a $5.00 late charge on your next bill.

What days can I water my lawn?
This is based on your address being even or odd. You can find this information on the back of your billing statement or click here for the watering schedule.

Can I make a payment at any other location in the City?
Yes, there are several drop locations – at all Publix stores located in the City of Cape Coral and at City Hall.

Who is eligible for Direct Pay?
Residential and commercial customers are eligible.

How does Direct Pay work?
Every month, your water/sewer bill will be deducted from your bank account. Once activated your bill statement will display the message “Bank Draft – Do Not Pay”.

Will I still receive a monthly bill?
You will receive a monthly bill that details your account activity.

What date are the funds deducted from my bank account to pay the bill?
Approximately 20 days after the bill date on the bill statement, the payment will be deducted from your bank account. Funds must be drawn from a US bank.

How long does it take to set up Direct Pay?
The enrollment process takes up to 60 days, depending on when we receive your authorization form and your billing cycle.

Can I cancel my Direct Pay account?
Yes. You may withdraw from the Direct Pay program by checking the appropriate box called Discontinue Direct Pay on the authorization form. Withdrawal from the plan will occur after the current utility bill has been processed by your financial institution.

Can I change my account information with this form?
Yes. You may change bank accounts by completing a new authorization form and enclosing a VOIDED check from the new bank account once the current utility bill has been processed by your financial institution.

What happens with Non-Sufficient Funds?
Direct pay payments returned for insufficient funds will incur up to a $40 fee and, upon the second occurrence, automatic removal from this payment program will occur.

The authorization form is also located on the back of your utility bill. Just click on the Direct Pay application, fill out the necessary information, sign the form, attach a voided check and mail it to the City of Cape Coral. The application is also now located on the back of your utility bill. Adobe Acrobat is needed to download the application. Click here to download Adobe Acrobat software.

Where do I send the application?
Send the completed application (and a voided check, if required) to:
City of Cape Coral
Customer Billing Services
PO Box 150006
Cape Coral, FL 33915-0006

Where can I obtain a schedule of water & sewer impact fees and meter installation costs?
Click here to for Utility Rates.

What is the difference between assessments and betterment?
Assessments are one-time fees charged to all, including vacant parcels in the assessment area. These fees are due after the assessment project is approved by council. The amount of the assessment is calculated to reimburse the costs of the assessment project, including finance/bonding fees, by charging a per equivalent lot (5,000 sq. ft.) fee on each parcel within the assessment project area.

Betterment is a one-time fee charged to properties that are not located in an assessment project area, but have City services for water, sewer and/or irrigation available. The amount of the Betterment fee is determined by multiplying the Betterment rate times the square footage of the parcel and is due at the time of development.

Both assessment and betterment fees may be paid in installments, billed annually with interest.

Is there an interest rate charged for financing impact fees?
Yes, the impact fee loan will accrue interest at the prime rate, plus 2%, existing at the end of the month preceding the date the impact fee loan is initiated.

When we connect to City Services, does the City make the connection or does the property owner have to hire a plumber?
It is the property owner’s responsibility to have the connection completed.

Can we choose not to connect to City utilities?
Connection to City utilities for water and sewer is mandatory if the utilities are available to the property. Connection to irrigation water is optional. However, the irrigation assessment is due whether or not you use the service.

Who do I contact to ask if City utilities are available on a parcel?
Contact the City’s Public Works Utility Expansion at 239-574-0730.

Who do I contact to ask if my parcel is in a utility expansion area?
Contact the City’s Public Works Utility Expansion at 239-574-0730.