In order to provide better service to boaters using the five boat ramps in Cape Coral*, help alleviate an abundance of boat ramp traffic, and provide funding for additional security and future ramp improvements, the Boat Trailer Parking program officially went into effect in the fall of 2005.
This program requires boaters to either pay a $10 daily fee to park their boat trailers while they are out on the water, or Cape Coral resident may purchase an annual decal for only $50 allowing them to park their boat trailers as many times as they wish over the course of the year. There is also a provision for commercial Cape Coral businesses to purchase annual decals for $100 each. This provision applies to for-profit businesses, based in Cape Coral, which provide guide services, boat trips, construction and other services on the water.
* NOTE: The City of Cape Coral began selling new boat trailer parking decals on September 1, 2011, and the new decals are now valid for one year from the date of purchase.
The Yacht Club Boat Ramp, Horton Boat Ramp and Rosen Park Boat Ramp have electronic machines that generate a ticket when $10 is inserted indicating the date and time of expiration, which is valid for 24 hours from issue date and time. These machines accept quarters, $1 and $5 dollar bills, as well as all major credit cards for the boater’s convenience. At the other two ramps, BMX Boat Ramp and Burnt Store Boat Ramp, there is a drop box for collection of the $10 parking fee. At these locations, boaters without annual decals are instructed to place $10 cash in the envelope provided, tear off the tab and place it in the vehicle window facing out, then insert the envelope with payment in the security drop box. Cape Coral Park Rangers & Law Enforcement personnel patrol the five park locations daily and must issue violation tickets to any vehicles/trailers that do not pay the daily fee or have a current resident or commercial decal.
Boaters who wish to go out on the water for more than the normal 24 hours should contact the Harbor Master / Marine Services Division at the Cape Coral Yacht Basin (239-574-0809) in advance of their journey. The Harbor Master will collect $10 for each additional 24 hour period and provide a special permit to place in the vehicle window. This permit alerts Law Enforcement that the vessel is still out. When boaters are out for longer than the normal period or time previously arranged, the coast guard may be notified for the boater’s safety.
Annual parking decals are only available to Cape Coral residents and Cape Coral based businesses, and they are valid one year from the date of purchase. They may be purchased at the Parks & Recreation counter in City Hall (239-573-3128), at the Harbor Master’s location within the Yacht Club Community Park, or at the front counter of the Yacht Club Ballroom with cash, check, or credit card.
REQUIRED TO BRING:
- Drivers license and vehicle registration
- Boat registration
- Proof of Cape Coral residency (i.e. local utility bill) w/ corresponding name/address on it.
* Cape Coral’s five official boat ramps include the Yacht Club Boat Ramp, located within the Yacht Club Community Park, Burnt Store Boat Ramp, located just north of Pine Island Road on Burnt Store Road, BMX Boat Ramp at the NE intersection of Skyline Blvd and Trafalgar, Horton Boat Ramp located next to the Midpoint Bridge on Everest Parkway, and the new Rosen Park Boat Ramp located along the Chantry Canal just east of 24th Ave. There are also undeveloped dirt ramps around Cape Coral on the canals, but those ramps are not permitted for public use as they can be very dangerous. Many of them are also privately owned or used solely by the City’s Public Works Department for maintenance of the canals, so offenders could end up with trespassing violations.
For additional information about the Boat Trailer Parking Program or for boater assistance, please contact the Cape Coral Harbor Master at (239) 574-0809.