The Annexation Application is the form the City of Cape Coral Planning Division uses when a property owner asks the city to annex property into its boundaries. It is listed among the Planning Division applications and documents, alongside the other Cape Coral permit and approval applications. The six-page PDF holds a requirements checklist, the application itself, an Acknowledgement Form and an Authorization to Represent Property Owner(s). On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the city publishes the original form and takes the application.
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What is Annexation Application – Cape Coral, FL?
The Annexation Application is the City of Cape Coral form that a property owner or applicant completes to request annexation of property into the city. It is issued by the Planning Division of the city's Department of Community Development.
The form is a package, not a single page. It contains:
- an Annexation Application Requirements checklist (legal description, letter of intent, deed of ownership and other items);
- the application, with property, owner, applicant and authorized representative information and a notarized signature block;
- an Acknowledgement Form, covering hearings, the appeal period and fees;
- an Authorization to Represent Property Owner(s), used when someone else presents the request;
- the Annexation Regulations, Section 3.5.1.
According to those regulations, annexations are considered when they implement the Comprehensive Plan, increase the city's inventory of non-residential lands, remove enclaves or result in a logical extension of city boundaries. Proposed annexations are reviewed under Chapter 171, Florida Statutes, and the effective date of an annexation also follows Chapter 171. The form refers to hearings before the Hearing Examiner and City Council. The printed revision is "Last revised_06_24_2021 (subject to change)".
Who needs to file Annexation Application – Cape Coral, FL?
Owners of property in an area proposed for annexation use this form. Under Section 3.5.1 of the Annexation Regulations printed on it, an annexation application may be initiated in two ways: by the City Council, or by a petition of one or more owners of property within the area proposed for annexation.
- Property owners: list every owner in the Property Owner(s) Information block and sign. If the owner does not hold the property in a personal name, the owner signs all applicable forms in a corporate capacity.
- Applicants: the Applicant Information block is for an applicant who is different from the owner.
- Authorized representatives: a representative completes the Authorized Representative Information block. The Authorization to Represent Property Owner(s) form names the person giving the presentation before the Hearing Examiner and City Council. If the representative is an attorney, the attorney may sign the application and the Acknowledgement Form, and the Authorization to Represent form is not required.
The form does not say who outside these groups may file.
When to file Annexation Application – Cape Coral, FL
File the Annexation Application when an owner, or an applicant acting for the owner, is ready to petition the City of Cape Coral to annex the property. The form prints no filing deadline or season.
After you file, timing follows the process described on the form. Hearing dates are confirmed when you receive the Notice of Public Hearing that gives the day and time of any applicable hearings. Any decision by the city is subject to a thirty (30) day appeal period, and work performed during that period or during an appeal is done at the applicant's risk. The effective date of an annexation follows Chapter 171, Florida Statutes.
Documents you need
- Legal description of the property: item 1 of the Annexation Application Requirements checklist.
- Letter of Intent: item 2 of the checklist.
- Deed of Ownership: item 3 of the checklist.
- Copy of any deed restrictions on the property, if there are any.
- Survey signed and sealed with the revised legal description of City territorial boundaries, if applicable.
- Aerial map showing surrounding zoning and land uses for 300 feet from the property boundaries, excluding roads and canals.
- Existing County zoning and maximum allowable densities for the property.
- Authorization to Represent Property Owner(s), signed by every owner, when a representative other than an attorney acts for the owner.
- Copy of the corporation papers, if an owner is a corporation; the form asks you to list all owners and supply them to the Planning Division.
- Notarization of all signatures on the application, the Acknowledgement Form and the Authorization to Represent form.
How to fill out Annexation Application – Cape Coral, FL
Check the requirements list
On page 1, review the Annexation Application Requirements: legal description, letter of intent, deed of ownership, notarized typewritten application, survey, aerial map and County zoning with maximum allowable densities.
Enter the property information
Under Property Information, enter the Project Name, Location/Address, Strap Number, Unit, Block, Lot(s), Plat Book, Page, Future Land Use and Current Zoning.
List every property owner
Under Property Owner(s) Information, enter each owner's name, phone, email, address, city, state and zip. A second owner block is provided.
Add applicant and representative
Complete Applicant Information only if the applicant differs from the owner. Complete Authorized Representative Information only if you have a representative.
Sign the certification block
On page 3, enter the corporation or company name if applicable, then the owner and applicant names (typed or printed) and signatures. A corporate owner signs in its corporate capacity.
Complete the notary section
Leave the State, County, date, identification and notary lines for the notary. The form accepts physical presence or online notarization.
Complete the Acknowledgement Form
On page 4, enter the day and month of the acknowledgment, the corporation or company name, the owner's printed name and signature, and have the signature notarized.
Fill in the Authorization to Represent
If someone else will present the request, enter that person's name, the Unit, Block, Lot(s), Subdivision or legal description, and each owner's printed name, signature and title, notarized. An attorney can sign instead.
Assemble the supporting documents
Gather the legal description, letter of intent, deed, any deed restrictions, the survey if applicable, the aerial map, County zoning information and corporation papers if an owner is a corporation.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Check names, parcel details and signature lines against your documents. Then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and have it notarized before submitting it.
How to submit Annexation Application – Cape Coral, FL
The City of Cape Coral Planning Division encourages applicants to submit online through the CSS online portal. The Annexation Application form itself prints no separate submission address or portal. It prints the Planning Division's contact details: Tel. (239) 574-0553, Fax (239) 574-0591 and P.O. Box 150027, Cape Coral, FL 33915-0027.
- Online: use the CSS online portal, as the Planning Division's applications page encourages.
- Questions: the Planning Division lists [email protected] for help with an application.
- Fees: an application fee based on acreage applies, plus advertising costs, and the Acknowledgement Form says recording costs are also the applicant's responsibility. The amount is not stated here; call the Planning Division at (239) 574-0553. The form says fees are submitted to the City of Cape Coral with the application. The city's page says that once the application is received it is reviewed for completeness and invoiced. It adds that the city never requests payment by electronic funds transfer, wire transfer or third-party payment apps such as Venmo, Cash App, PayPal or Zelle.
Signatures must be notarized before you submit. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving signatures un-notarized. The form states that all signatures must be notarized, and the applicant's portion must be typewritten.
- Omitting the copy of deed restrictions when the property has any; the form says a copy will be required.
- Signing in a personal name when the owner holds the property through a corporation; the owner must sign all applicable forms in a corporate capacity.
- Sending a survey that is not signed and sealed, or without the revised legal description of City territorial boundaries, where it applies.
- Drawing the aerial map to the wrong distance or including roads and canals; it must show zoning and land uses for 300 feet from the property boundaries, excluding roads and canals.
- Naming only some owners on the Authorization to Represent form; the note says to list all owners.
- Submitting a corporation as owner without a copy of the corporation papers.
- Paying by wire transfer, electronic funds transfer or a third-party payment app; the city says it never requests payment that way.
- Starting work during the thirty (30) day appeal period or during an appeal and assuming it is protected; the form says such work is at the applicant's risk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cape Coral Annexation Application?
It is the City of Cape Coral Planning Division form owners use to request that property be annexed into the city. The package includes a checklist, the application, an Acknowledgement Form and an Authorization to Represent Property Owner(s).
Who can start an annexation in Cape Coral?
Under Section 3.5.1 of the regulations printed on the form, an annexation application may be started by the City Council or by a petition of one or more owners of property within the area proposed for annexation.
Does the Annexation Application have to be notarized?
Yes. The form states that all signatures must be notarized, and the applicant's portion must be typewritten. The notary block accepts physical presence or online notarization.
What documents go with the Annexation Application?
The checklist lists a legal description, letter of intent, deed of ownership, a copy of any deed restrictions, a signed and sealed survey if applicable, an aerial map covering 300 feet, and existing County zoning with maximum allowable densities.
Is there a fee to apply for annexation in Cape Coral?
Yes. The form says an application fee based on acreage applies, plus advertising costs paid by the applicant, and the Acknowledgement Form adds recording costs. Call the Planning Division at (239) 574-0553 for the amount.
Can I use a representative to present my annexation request?
Yes. Complete the Authorized Representative Information and an Authorization to Represent Property Owner(s). If the representative is an attorney, the attorney may sign the application and Acknowledgement Form, and the authorization form is not required.
Can I appeal an annexation decision?
The Acknowledgement Form says any decision by the city is subject to a thirty (30) day appeal period. Work done during that period or during an appeal is completed at the applicant's risk.
Can I fill out the Annexation Application online on FillingPDF?
Yes, you can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of Cape Coral and does not file the application; submission follows the city's channels.
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