Planting near utility infrastructure.
Cape Coral Land Development Code § 5.5.7
in effectSection 5.5.7. - Planting near utility infrastructure.
Landscaping shall not interfere with or obstruct any existing or proposed pad-mounted transformer, overhead or underground utility line, utility service, fire hydrant, or fire appurtenance.
A. Overhead power lines. Canopy tree branches or palm tree fronds within ten feet of existing overhead transmission or distribution lines, measured radially from the line, shall be subject to trimming or removal by the power company as necessary to maintain public overhead utilities in accordance with the National Electric Safety Code (NESC). No canopy trees or palm trees shall be planted closer to an overhead transmission or distribution line than as specified by the Minimum Separation Distance Between Center of Trees and Overhead Transmission or Distribution Lines indicated in Table 1. In order to avoid conflicts with power lines and avoid the need for removal or pruning that would harm or distort their natural shape, it is recommended that no canopy trees or palm trees should be planted closer to an overhead transmission or distribution line than as specified by the Recommended Separation Distance Between Trees and Overhead Transmission or Distribution Lines indicated in Table 1. The separation between a tree and an overhead transmission or distribution line shall be the distance from the center of the tree at ground level to the closest point on the ground that is within the vertical plane of an overhead transmission or distribution line at rest. A species of canopy tree or palm tree that is not listed in Tables 5.5.7.A and 5.5.7.B shall not be planted within 20 feet of existing overhead transmission or distribution lines without the prior written consent of the Department of Community Development Director.
Table 5.5.7.A: Minimum Separation Distance Between Palm Trees and Overhead Transmission or Distribution Lines | | |
PALMS | | |
Common Name | Botanical Name | Minimum Separation Distance (in feet) Between Center of Trees and Overhead Transmission or Distribution Lines | Recommended Separation Distance (in feet) Between Center of Trees and Overhead Transmission and Distribution Lines
Allexandra Palm | Archontophoenix alexandrae | 10 | 13
Areca Palm | Chrysalidocarpus lutecens (Dypsis lutescens) | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Bamboo Palm | Chamedorea spp. | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Cabbage Palm (Sabal Palm) | Sabal palmetto | 8 | 13
Canary Island Date Palm | Phoenix canariensis | 15 | 21
Chinese Fan Palm | Livistonia chinensis | 8 | 13
Christmas Palm | Adonidia merrilii (Veitchii merrillii) | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Coconut Palm | Cocos nucifera | 10 | 21
Date Palm | Phoenix dactylifera | 10 | 21
Dwarf Palmetto | Sabal minor | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
European Fan Palm | Chamaerops humilis | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Fishtale Palm | Caryota mitis | 8 | 14
Foxtail Palm | Wodyetia bifurcata | 8 | 15
Lady Palm | Rhapis excelsa | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Macarthur Palm | Ptychosperma macarthuri | 8 | 14
Majesty Palm | Ravenea glauca | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Needle Palm | Rhapidophylium hystrix | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Paurotis Palm (Everglades Palm) (may grow to 25 feet) | Acoelorrhaphe wrightii | No minimum distance | 13
Pindo Palm | Butia capitata | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Pygmy Date Palm | Phoenix roebellini | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Queen Palm | Syagrus romanzoffianum | 9 | 18
Royal Palm | Roystonea spp. | 10 | 21
Saw Palmetto | Serenoa repens | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Senegal Island Date Palm (Reclinata Palm) | Phoenix redinata | 8 | 16
Silver Palm | Coccothrinax argentata | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Solitare (Alexander) Palm | Pychosperma elegans | 8 | 14
Thatch Palm | Thrinax spp. | No minimum distance | No minimum distance
Washingtonia Palm (Mexican Washington Palm) | Washingtonia robusta | 8 | 13
Table 5.5.7.B: Minimum Separation Distance Between Canopy Trees and Overhead Transmission or Distribution Lines | | |
CANOPY | | |
Common Name | Botanical Name | Minimum Separation Distance (in feet) Between Center of Trees and Overhead Transmission or Distribution Lines | Recommended Separation Distance (in feet) Between Center of Trees and Overhead Transmission and Distribution Lines
Bald Cypress | Taxodium distichum | 15 | 30
Black Olive (also see Shady Lady Black Olive) | Bucida buceras | 20 | 30
Cassia fistula | Cassia fistula | 15 | 30
Gumbo Limbo | Bursera simaruba | 15 | 30
Jacaranda | Jacaranda mimosfolia | 20 | 30
Laurel Oak | Quercus laurifolia | 15 | 30
Live Oak | Quercus virginiana | 20 | 30
Mahogany | Swietenia macrophylla | 15 | 30
Pigeon Plum | Cocoloba diversifolia | 8 | 10
Slash Pine | Pinus elliottii | 15 | 30
Southern Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | 15 | 30
Wild Tamarind | Lysiloma bahamensis | 25 | 35
Yellow Poinciana | Peltophorum pterocarpum | 15 | 20
Drake Elm | Ulmus parvifolia | 15 |
Red Maple | Acer rubrum | 15 | 30
Satin Leaf | Chyrsophyllum oliviforme | 12 | 15
Shady Lady Black Olive | Bucida buceras "Shady Lady" | No minimum distance | 15
Tabebuia, pink or yellow | Tabebuia spp. | 10 | 15
Source: City of Cape Coral, Florida, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Land Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/cape_coral/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=ART5DEST_CH5LA_S5.5.7PLNEUTINFetched: 11/4/2026