Assessments & Finance

Assessment Information

The Cape Coral City Council enacted Ordinance No. 8-99 on March 8, 1999, to provide for the creation of assessment areas, and to authorize the special assessments that will fund the construction of certain utility improvements to benefit property within an extension project area.  Essentially, this ordinance ensures that “growth pays for growth” and that only property owners who benefit from property improvements pay the assessment.

 

The special assessments have been proposed to fund construction of potable water, wastewater and irrigation facilities and finance related capital facility expansion charges.  The special assessment for each parcel of real property will be based upon (1) the number of “equivalent parcels” attributable to such parcel for the purposes of financing the facilities and (2) the number of “equivalent residential units” (“ERUs”) attributable to each parcel for the purposes of the related capital facility expansion charges.  The number of equivalent parcels is comprised of 10,000 square feet.  The ERU is the standard unit in calculating the expected demand on the utility system relative to a typical dwelling unit.  You may receive an adjustment to your assessments if your property is a “hammerhead” parcel (hammerhead shaped lots are typically located at the end of cul-de-sacs), or an institutional tax-exempt parcel (those parcels with a Department of Revenue Property Use Classification Code between 70 and 79). 

For a more detailed explanation of the methodology used to calculate the assessments, please refer to the Initial Resolutions (35-23, 36-23, and 37-23). 

These can be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office or on the City website at www.CapeCoral.gov

Initial Prepayment

You may elect to prepay any or all of your assessments in full to avoid temporary and permanent financing costs. The initial prepayment period for the North 1 West project is from March 23, 2023, to September 30, 2023.

Initial prepayments for a standard 10,000 sq ft lot site receiving all three services:

.

 

Interim Prepayment

You may elect to prepay any or all of your assessments in full to avoid permanent financing costs The Interim prepayment period for the North 1 West project is October 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024.

Interim prepayments for a standard 10,000 sq ft lot site receiving all three services

Amortized Payment

If not paid during the Initial or Interim Prepayment Option, the assessment will default to the 30-year amortized payment option. It will automatically be billed on your property tax bill as a non-ad valorem assessment.  

Maximum annual installments (30-year term default) for a standard 10,000 sq ft lot site receiving all 3 services:

For property owners wishing to elect a 20 or 25 year term, the Amortized Payment Election Form included with the assessment notice must be returned by July 31, 2024.   

Amortized assessment installments are transmitted to the Lee County Tax Collector annually and are comprised of principal, interest, collection costs and statutory discount recovery cost components.  The estimated maximum annual interest rate for the Amortized option is 6.5%.

You may prepay any of the remaining assessment components at any time (referred to as the Adjusted Prepayment Amounts) but may not make partial payments.  After July 31 of each year, the revised Adjusted Prepayment Amount plus the annual installment due on the next tax bill will be due in order to pay the assessment in full.  Keep in mind that any annual amounts already forwarded to the Tax Collector for collection will continue to be due and payable to the Tax Collector even if you have not yet received your tax bill.

Maximum annual installments (20 or 25 year term) for a standard 10,000 sq ft lot site receiving all 3 services:

Hardship

Hardship Deferral Option is a program to provide a method whereby permanent City of Cape Coral residents can defer payment of all or a portion of North 1 West special assessments. City residents whose total household income is at or below a certain level, as established by the United States Government, may apply for the hardship program option each year. The deferral would remain in effect until such time that the property is sold, any portion of ownership is transferred, any portion of the property is refinanced, or the applicant no longer meets the guidelines of the program.

  • The following requirements apply to the City’s Hardship Deferral Program:
  • The specific special assessment resolution must contain a provision for the hardship program.
  • The program is only available for owner-occupied single family homes, condominiums, or duplexes.
  • The property owner must be a current, full-time resident of the City of Cape Coral.
  • The owner’s property must qualify for a homestead tax exemption.
  • All property tax payments must be current, or the property owner must have a current homestead tax payment deferral.
  • The property must not be subject to any pending or threatened foreclosure action, and the mortgage payments must be current.
  • The applicant must contact the lender and request that the lender send directly to the City verification of the balance and status of all mortgages and loans on the property.
  • The applicant and the occupants of the property must meet the income criteria for the program, as separately established by City resolution.

With the Hardship Deferral Program, a percentage of your annual installment/bill will be deferred. The percentage deferred will be based upon program qualifications. The remainng portion of your yearly installment/bill is still due and payable.

The 2023 income guidelines for the Hardship Deferral Program are expected by April 2023.

Depending on your annual income, deferrals could range from 10% to 100%. Interest will still accrue on the outstanding balance, and, when your property changes ownership, all deferred amounts become due. Hardship deferrals are granted for one year only. You must reapply each year. The application deadline is April 15th of each calendar year.

For more information about the City’s Hardship Deferral Program, or to apply, please call (239) 242-3851, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

QUICK GUIDE TO THE UTILITY
CONNECTION GRANT PROGRAM

Purpose of Program
The purpose of this program is to assist income qualified homeowners with the cost of connecting to City utilities when they become available. The funding is provided by the US Department of HUD Community Development Block Grant and is subject to availability.

Homeowner Benefit
Homeowners will receive a one-time grant for the connection to the City’s water, sewer, and irrigation systems.

Eligible Applicants
Must meet income guidelines. These limits are based on the income and assets of all residents in the household and adjusted on an annual basis. (See Income Guidelines Chart below)

 

The home must be the primary residence of the client.

Must have legal right to reside permanently in the United States.

The homeowner must be current on monthly mortgage payments and maintain homeowners and flood insurance (if applicable).

Calculated homeowner assets (as defined by US Department of HUD) cannot exceed $20,000.

The homeowner may not be under contract with a licensed plumber to connect the property to City services. The City of Cape Coral has a contract with a licensed plumber to complete all grant connections.

Eligible Properties

Free standing single family homes, condominium units, and duplexes that have a separate strap # and fee simple ownership.

Funding

Qualified buyers will receive assistance in the form of a grant from the City of Cape Coral.

Qualifying Items

  • Payment to plumber for connection of home to utility
  • Abandonment of septic tank
  • Septic Abandonment Fee
  • Meter Fee

Homeowner Maximum Assistance
A maximum grant award of $4,000 is available per property.

Application and Program Information

  • Applications will be submitted on line at: TBD

    or in person at:

    Cape Coral City Hall
    1015 Cultural Park Blvd
    Cape Coral, FL 33990

    Submission of an application does not ensure you will be awarded funding. Funding is limited and is awarded on a first come, first approved basis.


    PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS PROGRAM AND IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANYTIME AT THE DIRECTION OF PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS AND THE US DEPARTMENT OF HUD.

MENU