Doing Business in Cape Coral

NEWS YOU CAN USE

 

Click here to view the latest seminars and workshops for Small Businesses
 

Economic Development Office
The Economic Development Office is responsible for helping businesses. Click here to view our strategies and our report card.
Cape Coral Prospector
Looking for commercial space or land? Want to find out the demographics around a particular location? Click here
Connect Cape Coral
We are revising Connect Cape Coral
so you can locate one of our 7,000 licensed businesses.

We appreciate your patience.
Multi-Media
Economic Development
P.O. Box 150027
Cape Coral, FL 33915-0027

1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
Cape Coral, FL 33990

phone: 239-574-0444
fax: 239-574-0452

Cape Coral Permits & Licenses

As do most communities, Cape Coral has established a system of licenses and certificates to ensure that businesses comply with building codes, land use, Cape Coral zoning and life safety regulations. Two City departments are primarily responsible for Cape Coral, Lee County Business licenses and permits: the City Clerk and the Department of Community Development (DCD).

  • The Certificate of Occupancy (CO) indicates that the structure in which the business is housed is habitable. The CO is issued by the Permitting/Building Services Division.
  • The Certificate of Use (CU) indicates that the business location is consistent with zoning regulations and that inspections have been completed. The CU is issued by City Clerk after approval by the zoning section of the DCD Planning Division.
  • The Business Tax Receipt (BTR) is an annual tax for exercising the privilege of engaging in business. The BTR is issued by the City Clerk.

Typically, eligible home-based businesses may be granted a Business Tax Receipt by the City Clerk without consideration of Certificates of Occupancy or Use.

However, when businesses intend to locate in leased or purchased facilities, the Business Tax Receipt will not be granted until the CO and CU inspections are completed. Therefore, businesses may wish to apply for all at the same time.

To facilitate cost-effective decisions about selecting locations, businesses are advised to consult with the zoning section of the DCD Planning Division to determine whether there are any issues, before entering into a lease or purchase agreement on the property.

In addition, one of the significant factors in considering applications for Certificates of Use is the business classification used by the City. An incorrect or incomplete classification may result in confusion or delay. Therefore, businesses may wish to pay particular attention to working with City staff to ensure that their business classification accurately represents the nature and extent of their services or products.

In all events, the City administration wants to facilitate accurate and rapid processing of business applications.



Copyright 2010 by The City of Cape Coral
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