The city's fence fees are published
Cape Coral makes the permit side of a fence easy to budget. The City of Cape Coral's miscellaneous permit fee schedule, effective January 1, 2026, lists residential fences at $107 and concrete fences at $328. The city adds a 2.5% surcharge to permits associated with enforcing the Florida Building Code, and a first re-inspection costs $48 per discipline. Materials and labor are separate and depend on the length, height and style of the fence.
Check the contractor
Florida contractors either hold a state certificate of competency, shown by a license number beginning with C, or a registration, beginning with R, which limits them to the local jurisdictions where they met competency requirements. Ask for the number and look it up with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Wind matters
NOAA's engineering weather data for Fort Myers lists a 50-year basic wind speed of 140 mph. Solid privacy fences act like sails. Ask each contractor:
- how the fence is designed for wind, and whether post spacing and depth reflect it;
- whether a design with gaps, or panels that can be removed before a storm, makes sense for your yard;
- how gates will be secured during storms.
Step-by-step
1. Confirm your property line with a survey or plat. 2. Call Florida's one-call service so utilities are marked. 3. Check city permit rules and any HOA requirements. 4. Collect quotes on the same layout. 5. Pull the permit and install, confirming the line before posts go in. 6. Final inspection, then walk the fence and test every gate.
Canals, seawalls and pools
Fences along canals need to stay clear of seawalls and easements. Pool barriers have strict safety rules on height, gaps and self-closing gates. Ask the city about both before choosing a design.
Comparing quotes
Ask for:
- length, height and material;
- post size, spacing, depth and setting method;
- gate count, width and hardware;
- removal of old fencing;
- permit fee plus the surcharge.
Heavy rain
NOAA lists a 100-year rainfall rate of 4.5 inches per hour. Fences that block drainage swales can flood a yard or a neighbor's. Ask the contractor how water will flow under or around the fence.
Records
Keep the survey, permit, contract and warranty together, along with photos of the finished fence for insurance.
Materials in salt air
Near open water, salt air corrodes steel hardware and some fasteners quickly. Ask what the hinges, latches and screws are made of, and whether stainless or coated hardware is included. Aluminum and vinyl fences resist rot and insects; if you choose wood, ask about treatment for ground contact and termites.