The Application - Change of Occupancy (F-DCD-1028) is the City of Cape Coral Building Division form a tenant completes for a change of occupancy where No Work being done, before a Certificate of Use is obtained. It is one of the documents a business needs for a Cape Coral permit, and it comes with a Tenants' Checklist of plans that must accompany the application. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the city publishes the original form in its Permit Document Center.
Last updated
What is F-DCD-1028?
The Application - Change of Occupancy (F-DCD-1028) is the City of Cape Coral Building Division form that a tenant completes, with no work being done, before obtaining a Certificate of Use for a space.
The two-page document has a tenant and property section, a note on how a change of occupancy is handled, an office-use block for the Building Reviewer, and a Tenants' Checklist. The form states that a change of occupancy requires the applicant to pull a building permit under FBC 2020, Chapter 1, Section 105. At that time a plans examiner decides whether any work is needed to bring the space into compliance. If work is required, a design professional or licensed contractor is needed to help with the application. If the plans show that work will be done, a Remodel permit is required.
That last point separates this form from the remodel paperwork. The city's Permit Document Center lists Application - Addition/Remodel under Remodel / Tenant Build-Out, and it lists a separate Change of Occupancy Guideline among its building construction guidelines.
The form also records fees. It prints an application fee, paid when the tenant submits a complete application, and an electric fee, paid when the permit is issued to an electrician. It adds that additional road impact fees may apply, to be determined by Transportation. The form does not print an address for submission.
Who needs to file F-DCD-1028?
Tenants who are taking over or opening a business in a space in Cape Coral and need a change of occupancy, with no work being done, complete this form. The form is labeled as completed prior to obtaining a Certificate of Use.
It asks whether you are relocating an existing business in Cape Coral or whether the business is new to Cape Coral, so both situations use it. The tenant information block asks for the business name and the applicant's name.
Plans are the tenant's job. The form says the plans must be prepared by the applicant, and that the city's customer service representatives cannot prepare them. The items needed can be found on past building plans provided at the City Clerk, or through your landlord or owner.
If the plans show that work will be done, this form is not enough: a Remodel permit is required. When work is needed to bring the space into compliance, a design professional or licensed contractor will be needed to assist you.
When to file F-DCD-1028
Complete this form before you obtain a Certificate of Use; the form says it is "completed prior to obtaining a Certificate of Use." A change of occupancy requires you to pull a building permit, and a plans examiner then decides whether any work must be done to bring the space into compliance.
The form prints no calendar deadline. It does state when the money is due: the application fee is paid when the complete application is submitted by the tenant, and the electric fee is paid when the permit is issued to an electrician. An application is complete only with the attached Tenants' Checklist, which the tenant must complete in order to submit it.
Documents you need
- Four (4) legible copies of plans, as the Tenants' Checklist requires; the tenant must complete the checklist in order to submit the application.
- Site Plan that clearly shows parking available, handicap parking and the accessible route.
- Proposed Floor Plan (it may need to be enlarged) showing the location and size of bathrooms and offices, sinks and drinking fountains, exit lights and emergency lights, and fire extinguishers.
- On the floor plan, the location of all fixed items and furniture for your business that will be present at opening: shelves, counters, tables, half/knee walls, displays, desks, chairs, copiers and similar.
- On the floor plan, the UL Listed Fire Wall Rating for all walls bordering your unit, and the neighboring business that Zoning (or the Landlord) provided on the first page.
- A written description of your business, so the reviewers understand your needs.
- A Ventilization Schedule prepared by a mechanical contractor, only when the type of business requires it.
How to fill out F-DCD-1028
Confirm this is the right form
The form is headed No Work being done and is completed prior to obtaining a Certificate of Use. If your plans will show work, a Remodel permit is required instead.
Enter the tenant information
Under TENANT INFORMATION, fill in Business Name, Applicant's Name, Mailing Address, City, State, Zip, Phone #, Fax and Email.
Enter the property information
Under PROPERTY INFORMATION, give the Property Owner, Site Address, Building unit #, City, State and Zip. Add Block, Lot, Unit, Phone #, Fax and Strap # where you have them.
Add employees and square footage
Enter the Number of employees and the Square footage of the space.
Mark relocating or new business
Check Yes or No for Relocating an existing business in Cape Coral and for Business new to Cape Coral.
Skip the office-use section
The OFFICE USE ONLY block holds occupancy information provided by the Building Reviewer, including last tenant occupancy, proposed occupancy and parking spaces. The tenant does not complete it.
Complete the Tenants' Checklist
Prepare four legible copies of a site plan and a proposed floor plan showing the items the checklist lists, and mark each item as you add it. Write a description of your business in the lines provided.
Print, sign and date the form
Enter the Printed Name of Applicant, sign and add the date. The Issued by line is for the city.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check each entry against your plans and the checklist, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it with the plans as described under How to submit.
How to submit F-DCD-1028
Submit the completed form to the City of Cape Coral Building Division together with the Tenants' Checklist and your plans; the form names no mailing address, portal or appointment rule of its own.
- Package: the checklist must be completed by the tenant in order to submit the application. It calls for four (4) legible copies of plans, including a site plan and a proposed floor plan, and a written description of your business.
- Plans: copies of the floor plan are available from the City Clerk, as the form notes.
- Application fee: it applies and is paid when the complete application is submitted by the tenant. The electric fee is paid when the permit is issued to an electrician, and road impact fees may apply. Ask the Building Division for the current amounts.
- Where to find the form: the city publishes it in its Permit Document Center at https://www.capecoral.gov/departments/development_services/permitting_services_division/permit_document_center.php.
Contact the Building Division to confirm how it receives applications. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the city's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting the application without the completed Tenants' Checklist; the form says the checklist must be completed by the tenant in order to submit.
- Providing fewer than four (4) legible copies of the plans.
- Leaving out the UL Listed Fire Wall Rating for the walls bordering your unit, or the neighboring business listed on the first page.
- Omitting fixed items and furniture, such as counters, shelves, desks or copiers, from the proposed floor plan.
- Expecting city customer service representatives to draw the plans; the form says the plans must be prepared by the applicant.
- Treating the work as a change of occupancy only, when the plans show work will be conducted; a Remodel permit is then required.
- Leaving out the Ventilization Schedule from a mechanical contractor when the type of business requires one.
- Assuming the fees listed are the only ones; the form says additional road impact fees may apply, to be determined by Transportation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cape Coral Change of Occupancy application?
It is Form F-DCD-1028, a City of Cape Coral Building Division form completed when a tenant needs a change of occupancy with no work being done. It is completed prior to obtaining a Certificate of Use and comes with a Tenants' Checklist of required plans.
How many copies of plans do I need for a change of occupancy in Cape Coral?
Four (4) legible copies. The Tenants' Checklist requires a site plan and a proposed floor plan showing bathrooms, offices, sinks, exit and emergency lights, fire extinguishers, fixed items and furniture, and the fire wall rating.
Is there a fee for the Cape Coral change of occupancy application?
Yes. The form prints an application fee, paid when the tenant submits a complete application, and an electric fee, paid when the permit is issued to an electrician. Road impact fees may also apply. Ask the Building Division for the current amounts.
Who prepares the plans for the change of occupancy?
You do. The form says the plans must be prepared by the applicant and that city customer service representatives cannot prepare them. Floor plans are available from the City Clerk, and past building plans or your landlord or owner can supply the details.
What if work is needed in the space?
A plans examiner decides whether work is needed to bring the space into compliance. If it is, you will need a design professional or licensed contractor. If your plans show that work will be done, a Remodel permit is required.
Where do I find the fire wall rating for my unit?
It should be on the floor plan you get from the City Clerk. The form says the UL listed rating may also be stenciled on the wall above the ceiling tiles, usually in large red print. For older buildings, ask your owner or landlord about testing.
Can I fill out the Change of Occupancy application online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the form to the City of Cape Coral; you submit it through the city's channels.
Ready to fill out F-DCD-1028?
Fill out F-DCD-1028 now