New Construction / Utility Extension Connections FAQs
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 the city council and billed/paid through the annual property tax bill. 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.) or a per parcel (10,000 sq. ft) rate on each parcel within the assessment project area.
Contribution In Aid of Construction (CIAC) 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 irrigation available. Utilities are available because they were paid by a developer to bring city water, sewer, and irrigation to the area for their project. Per Ordinance 108-22, Contribution in Aid of Construction (CIAC) is calculated by determining the number of equivalent parcel(s) (EP) for the property. An EP is 10,000 square feet and is the standard unit used in calculating the Line Extension Assessment. The EP is calculated by dividing the parcel sq footage by 10,000 and rounded to the tenth. This is then multiplied by the most recently adopted UEP rates set forth by city council.
Properties containing homes or businesses will be required to connect to the City’s potable water and wastewater systems when services become available. At the present time, connection to the irrigation system is mandatory in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer area. All properties in the project area must be connected to the new system within 180 days from NOA. Undeveloped parcels are required to connect to utilities during construction, prior to receiving the certificate of occupancy.
When the construction is complete and the utilities have passed inspection and are placed in service, homeowners will receive a Notice of Availability (NOA) letter from the city and must connect to the new system within 180 days.
To complete the connection to the new service, contact a local, City of Cape Coral licensed plumber (or owner/builder if applicable). They will coordinate the connection process and explain their procedure. For additional questions, please contact New Construction at 239-242-3853 or uepnewconst@capecoral.gov.
The plumbing contractor or homeowner (owner/builder) can obtain the permit for a 5/8” water meter for a typical residential home online at www.capecoral.gov. Currently the meter installation fee is $325.00, the utility account deposit is $225.00 (based upon a utility credit check) and septic abandonment permit fee is $100.00. *Rates are subject to change. These fees must be paid prior to connecting to the new utilities. After payment is received, city personnel will physically install the water meter followed by inspection of the water, sewer, and/or irrigation service connections completed by the property owner’s plumber.
Please see Chapter 19 of the City Code of Ordinances regarding the requirements to connect. These are available on the city website or municode. Section 19-2.5 pertains to the connection to the water, sewer and irrigation systems.
In reference to plumbing codes for service laterals, please see the 2023 Florida Building Code-plumbing, available on the city website under building codes.