Do you need a permit?
It depends on the tree
Cape Coral has no standalone tree removal permit, and its code expressly carves "the removal of a single tree on a developed parcel" out of the definition of clearing vegetation — so taking down one tree in your own yard is not regulated clearing. Beyond that, clearing trees and vegetation requires a site improvement permit, and the city describes its Land Clearing and Fill permit as commercial only. There is no diameter threshold anywhere in the code that triggers a removal permit.
What's protected in Cape Coral
- Heritage Trees — a Florida native canopy tree with a 20-inch caliper DBH or larger. The replacement obligation applies only to sites other than single-family or duplex.
- Trees required by the landscape approval in effect when your home was permitted
- Prohibited invasive exotics, which must be removed rather than preserved
- Burrowing owl burrows — a separate protection with its own affidavit on many residential permits
Fees, penalties, and the ordinance
- Ordinance
- Cape Coral Land Development Code Art. 5 Ch. 3 Sec. 5.3.2 (land clearing, filling, excavation); Art. 5 Ch. 5 (Landscaping); definitions at Art. 11 Sec. 11.2
Worth knowing
- The key definition, Sec. 11.2: "Clearing of Vegetation, means removal of plants and or topsoil and vegetative materials in preparation for development, but not including mowing and cutting of brush for maintenance, the removal of dead or diseased plants or the removal of a single tree on a developed parcel."
- The city's Land Development Division labels the relevant permit "Land Clearing and Fill - Commercial ONLY," noting the division handles commercial land development except permitting for single-family homes and duplexes.
- Sec. 5.3.2(F) exempts removal of invasive plants without soil disturbance, and land clearing for agricultural uses.
- Prohibited invasive exotics must be removed from development sites entirely. Table 5.5.9 names 20 species including all Australian pines, Melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, Earleaf acacia, Carrotwood, Chinese tallow, Java plum, Air potato and Old World climbing fern.
- If you remove a tree required by the landscape rules in effect when your home was built, Sec. 5.5.16 requires replacement.
- Cape Coral does not regulate mangroves — the city refers residents to the Florida DEP.
- Palms count as trees and toward required tree minimums; there is no palm-specific removal exemption.
- Before digging or clearing, check for burrowing owl burrows. Report harassment or burrow destruction to FWC's 24-hour hotline, 1-888-404-3922.
What we could not confirm
We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.
- — Whether a homeowner removing more than one tree from a developed lot must file a site improvement permit. The city publishes no homeowner-facing tree removal guidance at all, and the code and the Land Development Division page point in slightly different directions.
- — The fee. No line item named tree removal, land clearing or vegetation removal appears in either published fee schedule.
- — Penalties for unpermitted removal, and whether Cape Coral recognises the Fla. Stat. 163.045 exemption.
- — Which phone number is current — two city pages give (239) 574-0401 and (239) 573-3167.
- — Any DBH threshold triggering a removal permit. There is not one in the code.