Existing trees.
Cape Coral Land Development Code § 5.5.8
in effectSection 5.5.8. - Existing trees.
A. Generally. Except for trees on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's list of Category I invasive exotics of those tress listed in Table 5.5.9, existing trees may be used to meet the minimum tree requirements for the site if they are indicated on the landscape plan (when a landscape plan is required), have a minimum diameter at breast height (DBH) of two inches, and are properly protected during any clearing or construction on the property.
Developers are encouraged to preserve existing heritage trees. For any site other than a single-family or duplex site, if during development or any time throughout the life of the development, regardless of change in ownership or use(s), any heritage tree is removed or damaged, it shall be replaced with a Florida native tree that meets the quality of materials standards in this article, with a minimum caliper of six inches measured at a height of 12 inches above the ground, with a height not less than 20 feet; however, this requirement shall not increase the total number of trees otherwise required for the site by more than 10%.
B. Protection of trees during development activities. Prior to any land preparation or other development activities, a protective barrier shall be established around all trees that are not to be removed, as follows:
1. The protective barrier shall enclose at least that area within a radius of one foot for every inch of caliper DBH around the tree.
2. The protective barrier may encompass more than one tree, and shall be established with a barrier as follows:
a. Posts shall be implanted in the ground deep enough to be stable and with at least three feet visible above ground.
b. The protective posts shall be placed not more than six feet apart and shall be linked together at a height of at least three feet by rope, chain, silt fence fabric, or orange safety fence at least three feet in height, or any combination thereof.
3. Required protective barriers and perimeter lines shall remain in place until all construction activity, except landscaping within the protected area, is terminated.
C. Construction activity limitations.
1. No attachment, wires (other than supportive wires), signs or permits may be fastened to any tree that is not to be removed.
2. Landscaping activities within the area of the protective barrier (before and after it is removed) shall be accomplished with manual labor or light machinery that, if self-propelled, is not designed to bear the weight of the operator. Such light machinery may include string trimmers, walk-behind lawn mowers, or chainsaws. Except as necessary to perform landscaping activities as described above, no construction personnel shall enter the area within the protective barrier. Further, no equipment, tools, construction materials, debris of any kind, or more than six inches of soil shall be placed within the protective barrier.
3. If fill is deposited adjacent to a protective barrier, a suitable temporary or permanent retaining structure shall be constructed to prevent siltation within the area of the protective barrier.
4. If it can be reasonably accomplished, water, sewer, and other utility lines should be routed around the protective barrier of trees that are not to be removed. If a line cannot reasonably be routed around the protective barrier, the line shall be tunneled beneath the area and shall be offset to one side of the trunk to prevent damage to the main tap roots.
D. Exempt trees. This subsection shall not apply to trees grown at commercial nurseries, as part of their stock.
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_S5.5.8EXTRFetched: 11/4/2026