Cape Coral, Florida zoning

A plain-language summary of the Cape Coral zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on Municode, last reviewed July 4, 2026.

Zoning districts

R-1Residential
Single-Family Residential
Established to encourage and protect single-family development and to permit other uses generally compatible with single-family residential uses (Sec. 4.1.2.A.1). This is the dominant district in Cape Coral by land area; the city is built out largely as pre-platted single-family lots. Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
RMLResidential
Residential Multi-Family Low
Accommodates multi-family housing while transitioning to and protecting adjacent single-family neighborhoods; acts as a transition zone from lower density residential to higher density residential or non-residential uses. Should only be established where City water and sewer service is available (Sec. 4.1.2.A.2). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
RMMResidential
Residential Multi-Family Medium
Accommodates multi-family housing at higher density than RML; also acts as a transition zone from lower density residential areas to non-residential land uses or zoning districts (Sec. 4.1.2.A.3). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
REResidential
Residential Estate
Provides areas for single-family dwellings, typically on parcels of 40,000 square feet or more, in areas of the city that are rural in character; permits keeping of some domesticated livestock for use by occupants (Sec. 4.1.2.A.4, Sec. 4.2.4). This is the only district where a detached guest house is permitted (Sec. 5.2.11). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
AResidential
Agricultural
Accommodates agricultural activities and operations, which may include crop cultivation, breeding, raising or keeping of livestock or fur-bearing animals, dairy farming, and apiculture, plus accessory uses customarily incidental to those activities (Sec. 4.1.2.A.5). Non-residential uses in the A district require a minimum of 5 acres (Sec. 4.2.5.C). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
CCommercial
Commercial
Designed to encourage and facilitate commercial activities serving a relatively large trade area on major thoroughfares, meeting the needs of motorists and consumers through automobile-oriented commercial activity (Sec. 4.1.2.B.1). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
PCommercial
Professional Office
Encourages compatible development of major professional and related office complexes; may serve as a transition between commercial corridors and nearby residential uses (Sec. 4.1.2.B.2). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
IIndustrial
Industrial
Accommodates manufacturing, fabrication, warehousing, and other related activities that typically utilize large work forces, generate semi-tractor trailer traffic, and may produce external impacts such as noxious smells, smoke, or noise (Sec. 4.1.2.B.3). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
INSTSpecial purpose
Institutional
Allows development of nonprofit or quasi-public uses such as religious institutions, libraries, public or private schools, hospitals, or government-owned or -operated structures (Sec. 4.1.2.B.4). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
PVSpecial purpose
Preservation
Identifies environmental resources or natural features intended to remain in a predominately natural or undeveloped state, providing resource protection and opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education (Sec. 4.1.2.B.5). The city's GIS zoning layer also carries a distinct 'Preservation Regulated by FLU' (PRFLU) designation for land preserved through the Future Land Use Map rather than base Preservation zoning; treat a PRFLU GIS result as review-gated, not as a direct match to the PV base district. Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
CCMixed use
Commercial Corridor
Implements the Pine Island Road Master Plan recommendations; promotes retail, office, limited warehouse and light manufacturing, multi-family residential, and large-scale commercial retail uses (Sec. 4.1.2.C.1). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
NCMixed use
Neighborhood Commercial
Creates walkable, mixed-use environments with a range of commercial and housing choices near each other and quality usable public spaces; uses form-based design standards with development options based on parcel size and its own use-area allocation table, Table 4.2.12 (Sec. 4.1.2.C.2). Dimensional standards are set per Table 4.2.12, not the citywide Table 4.1.3.B; this pack has now fetched and verified Table 4.2.12 directly (see below). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
MX7Mixed use
Mixed-Use Seven Islands
Implements master plan recommendations for the Seven Islands area in northwestern Cape Coral, consistent with the Seven Islands Sub District, allowing a flexible, coordinated multi-use neighborhood approach beyond what standard districts permit (Sec. 4.1.2.C.3). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
MXBMixed use
Mixed-Use Bimini
Promotes redevelopment and enhancement of the Bimini Basin area consistent with the Downtown Mixed Future Land Use classification and the Bimini Basin Revitalization and Implementation Plan; encourages mixed-use work, live, shop, and play development serving the city and region (Sec. 4.1.2.C.4). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
SCMixed use
South Cape
Promotes redevelopment of the traditional commercial center of Cape Coral into a compact, walkable, mixed-use destination district; includes special infill provisions for various lot sizes (Sec. 4.1.2.C.6, Sec. 4.2.15). Dimensional standards vary by location within the district per Sec. 4.2.15.D; exact values by sub-area are review-gated. Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
PUDSpecial purpose
Planned Unit Development
Planned unit development districts; uses and dimensional standards are established individually in each PUD's adopting ordinance and development order (Sec. 4.2.16). Confirm the current zoning map, the specific PUD ordinance, and any development order conditions before acting.

Code	Name	Category	Summary
R-1	Single-Family Residential	Residential	Established to encourage and protect single-family development and to permit other uses generally compatible with single-family residential uses (Sec. 4.1.2.A.1). This is the dominant district in Cape Coral by land area; the city is built out largely as pre-platted single-family lots. Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
RML	Residential Multi-Family Low	Residential	Accommodates multi-family housing while transitioning to and protecting adjacent single-family neighborhoods; acts as a transition zone from lower density residential to higher density residential or non-residential uses. Should only be established where City water and sewer service is available (Sec. 4.1.2.A.2). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
RMM	Residential Multi-Family Medium	Residential	Accommodates multi-family housing at higher density than RML; also acts as a transition zone from lower density residential areas to non-residential land uses or zoning districts (Sec. 4.1.2.A.3). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
RE	Residential Estate	Residential	Provides areas for single-family dwellings, typically on parcels of 40,000 square feet or more, in areas of the city that are rural in character; permits keeping of some domesticated livestock for use by occupants (Sec. 4.1.2.A.4, Sec. 4.2.4). This is the only district where a detached guest house is permitted (Sec. 5.2.11). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
A	Agricultural	Residential	Accommodates agricultural activities and operations, which may include crop cultivation, breeding, raising or keeping of livestock or fur-bearing animals, dairy farming, and apiculture, plus accessory uses customarily incidental to those activities (Sec. 4.1.2.A.5). Non-residential uses in the A district require a minimum of 5 acres (Sec. 4.2.5.C). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
C	Commercial	Commercial	Designed to encourage and facilitate commercial activities serving a relatively large trade area on major thoroughfares, meeting the needs of motorists and consumers through automobile-oriented commercial activity (Sec. 4.1.2.B.1). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
P	Professional Office	Commercial	Encourages compatible development of major professional and related office complexes; may serve as a transition between commercial corridors and nearby residential uses (Sec. 4.1.2.B.2). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
I	Industrial	Industrial	Accommodates manufacturing, fabrication, warehousing, and other related activities that typically utilize large work forces, generate semi-tractor trailer traffic, and may produce external impacts such as noxious smells, smoke, or noise (Sec. 4.1.2.B.3). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
INST	Institutional	Special purpose	Allows development of nonprofit or quasi-public uses such as religious institutions, libraries, public or private schools, hospitals, or government-owned or -operated structures (Sec. 4.1.2.B.4). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
PV	Preservation	Special purpose	Identifies environmental resources or natural features intended to remain in a predominately natural or undeveloped state, providing resource protection and opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education (Sec. 4.1.2.B.5). The city's GIS zoning layer also carries a distinct 'Preservation Regulated by FLU' (PRFLU) designation for land preserved through the Future Land Use Map rather than base Preservation zoning; treat a PRFLU GIS result as review-gated, not as a direct match to the PV base district. Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
CC	Commercial Corridor	Mixed use	Implements the Pine Island Road Master Plan recommendations; promotes retail, office, limited warehouse and light manufacturing, multi-family residential, and large-scale commercial retail uses (Sec. 4.1.2.C.1). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
NC	Neighborhood Commercial	Mixed use	Creates walkable, mixed-use environments with a range of commercial and housing choices near each other and quality usable public spaces; uses form-based design standards with development options based on parcel size and its own use-area allocation table, Table 4.2.12 (Sec. 4.1.2.C.2). Dimensional standards are set per Table 4.2.12, not the citywide Table 4.1.3.B; this pack has now fetched and verified Table 4.2.12 directly (see below). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
MX7	Mixed-Use Seven Islands	Mixed use	Implements master plan recommendations for the Seven Islands area in northwestern Cape Coral, consistent with the Seven Islands Sub District, allowing a flexible, coordinated multi-use neighborhood approach beyond what standard districts permit (Sec. 4.1.2.C.3). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
MXB	Mixed-Use Bimini	Mixed use	Promotes redevelopment and enhancement of the Bimini Basin area consistent with the Downtown Mixed Future Land Use classification and the Bimini Basin Revitalization and Implementation Plan; encourages mixed-use work, live, shop, and play development serving the city and region (Sec. 4.1.2.C.4). Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
SC	South Cape	Mixed use	Promotes redevelopment of the traditional commercial center of Cape Coral into a compact, walkable, mixed-use destination district; includes special infill provisions for various lot sizes (Sec. 4.1.2.C.6, Sec. 4.2.15). Dimensional standards vary by location within the district per Sec. 4.2.15.D; exact values by sub-area are review-gated. Confirm the current zoning map before acting.
PUD	Planned Unit Development	Special purpose	Planned unit development districts; uses and dimensional standards are established individually in each PUD's adopting ordinance and development order (Sec. 4.2.16). Confirm the current zoning map, the specific PUD ordinance, and any development order conditions before acting.

Rules by topic

Common questions

Get the full picture for your property

Enter an address. We identify the zoning district and assemble what the ordinance says about it: permitted uses, dimensional rules, accessory structures, and the approval process.

District identification is free. The full brief is $79.