The TCO TCC Application is the City of Cape Coral form used to request a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) or a Temporary Certificate of Completion (TCC) for a commercial project that is not yet ready for its final Certificate of Occupancy. It is one of the Cape Coral permit documents listed in the city's Permit Document Center, and the instructions and conditions are printed on pages 2 through 4 of the application. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the application itself goes to the city as described below.
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What is TCO TCC Application – Cape Coral, FL?
The TCO TCC Application is the City of Cape Coral form that a commercial project owner or contractor files to request a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) or Temporary Certificate of Completion (TCC) when the majority of construction is complete and only minor issues remain.
The city's Development Services Department publishes the form. It exists because all new construction, residential and commercial, requires a final Certificate of Occupancy (CO), which is issued when all construction is complete and all building inspections are approved. A TCO or TCC may be approved only in certain circumstances, and only for commercial projects.
The two certificates differ:
- Commercial TCO: allows occupancy before the entire work covered by the permit is complete, provided the portion occupied can be occupied safely. The Building Official determines how long it is valid, and the form's conditions say an issued TCO is effective for 30 calendar days only.
- Commercial TCC: is proof that a structure or system is substantially complete and, for certain types of permits, is released for temporary use and may be connected to a utility system. It does not grant authority to occupy a building, such as a shell building, before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
The form applies to permits inspected by the city and to permits inspected by a private provider. A TCO or TCC does not waive or relieve compliance with any applicable code, law, permit condition or required correction; all outstanding items must still be completed.
Who needs to file TCO TCC Application – Cape Coral, FL?
Owners, owner/builders and contractors on commercial projects in the City of Cape Coral use this application when they cannot yet request a final CO because the majority of construction is complete and only minor issues remain. The declaration at the end of the form is signed by the owner and the contractor.
Conditions the form attaches to the request:
- The reason must be a specific and significant hardship. A TCO is not allowed for reasons of convenience.
- The structure must be deemed safe to occupy, with all required final inspections of structural, electrical, gas, plumbing, mechanical and fire systems approved.
- Where an owner/builder applies (commercial projects only), the notarized letter is signed by the applicant. Otherwise the Licensed Qualifier signs it.
- Permits inspected by a private provider have additional requirements.
Residential projects are not covered: the form states that a TCO and TCC may be approved for commercial projects only. Applicants who need a final CO instead of a temporary certificate do not use this form.
When to file TCO TCC Application – Cape Coral, FL
File the application when you cannot request your final CO because construction is mostly complete and only minor issues remain. The form sets a minimum processing time of three (3) business days for the initial review, so submit it well before you need to occupy the building.
A TCO, if issued, is effective for 30 calendar days only. An extension application must be renewed by the applicant at least 3 business days before the TCO expiration date, and all fees must be paid. An extension is not guaranteed. It must be requested in a letter listing the outstanding items and the time frames to complete them.
Failure to receive an extension results in immediate vacation of the building or structure. The Building Official may shut off electric and water utilities, and a Code Compliance order may start enforcement action, including daily running fines.
Documents you need
- Notarized letter on company letterhead signed by the Licensed Qualifier (signed by the applicant when an owner/builder applies on a commercial project), stating the detailed reason for the TCO request as a specific and significant hardship.
- In the notarized letter: a detailed description of the remaining work, a reasonable estimate of the time to complete all outstanding items, and the planned use of the building during the 30-calendar day period.
- In the notarized letter: the statement "The City of Cape Coral will not be held responsible in any form for any damage or liability as a result of the issuance of the TCO."
- Commercial property: a letter signed and sealed by the Design Professional of Record certifying the site is safe, ready for occupancy, substantially complete and code compliant, with the reason for the request and the completion timeframe.
- Where applicable: a letter of acceptance from the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) accepting work done in the State right-of-way.
- Private provider inspected permits: a private provider compliance report and a private provider final report card listing any outstanding inspections not signed off; if the building is not complete, the report card must include a TCO inspection by the private provider firm.
- TCO extension: a request in letter form listing the outstanding items and the time frames for completion.
How to fill out TCO TCC Application – Cape Coral, FL
Enter the permit numbers
Fill in the Permit # and the Master/Shell Building Permit #. The form asks the applicant to complete all applicable items and to type or print clearly.
Describe the commercial project
Enter the Commercial Project/Building Name and the Project Street Address.
Enter the applicant's contact details
Fill in Applicant Name, Company, Applicant Mailing Address, City, Zip Code, Phone #, Alternate # and Email Address. The city may send notices about the certificate to the email address on the application.
State why you cannot request a final CO
Answer "Reason why you are unable to request your Final CO?" Describe a specific and significant hardship; the conditions say convenience is not accepted.
Check the certificate you are requesting
Check the Commercial TCO box, the Commercial TCC box, or both as your request requires. The TCO covers occupancy; the TCC does not grant authority to occupy.
Prepare the letters and reports
Read the conditions on pages 2 through 4 and gather the notarized hardship letter, the Design Professional of Record letter and, where they apply, the FDOT acceptance letter and the private provider reports.
Sign the declaration on page 4
The owner and the contractor each sign, and each prints a name, under the penalties-of-perjury declaration that they have read the instructions and that the facts stated are true (F.S. 92.525(c)(2)).
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the permit numbers, address and contact details against the permit file. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it with the attachments as described under How to submit.
How to submit TCO TCC Application – Cape Coral, FL
Completed applications may be dropped off or emailed to the City of Cape Coral Development Services Department; the form names no other channel.
- Drop off: Development Services Department, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33990.
- Email: [email protected].
- Phone for questions: (239) 574-0606.
Send the application with the notarized letter and the other items the form's conditions require. A non-refundable fee applies to each TCO application and to each 30-calendar day extension, due and payable before processing; ask the department for the current amount. All fees, including associated permits on the parcel, must be paid before the TCO is issued, and solid waste fees for the current month are added.
Before approval, an inspector visits the site for a structural inspection. The CO Desk then prepares the TCO for the Building Official's signature and notifies the permit holder when it is ready. Notices about suspension or revocation may be sent by letter or by email to the address on the application. For fire and life safety questions, the Cape Coral Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management Services Division of Life Safety can be reached at 239-242-3264. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Requesting a TCO for convenience; the form allows it only for a specific and significant hardship.
- Submitting a notarized letter that omits the remaining-work description, the completion estimate, the planned use during the 30-calendar day period or the required City of Cape Coral liability statement.
- Having the letter signed by the wrong person: the Licensed Qualifier signs it on company letterhead, or the applicant signs for a commercial owner/builder.
- Applying for a TCO or TCC on a residential project; the form says they may be approved for commercial projects only.
- Not paying all fees, including associated permits on the parcel, before the TCO is issued.
- Treating a Commercial TCC as permission to occupy; it does not grant authority to occupy a building before a certificate of occupancy.
- Waiting until the last days of the 30-calendar day TCO to ask for an extension; the request is due at least 3 business days before expiration and is not guaranteed.
- Sending an extension request that is not in letter form or does not list outstanding items and time frames.
- Leaving the owner and contractor signature and printed name lines blank on page 4.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TCO TCC Application used for?
It is the City of Cape Coral form for requesting a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) or Temporary Certificate of Completion (TCC) on a commercial project. It applies when most construction is complete and only minor issues remain, before a final Certificate of Occupancy can be requested.
Can a residential project get a TCO or TCC in Cape Coral?
No. The application states that a TCO and TCC may be approved for commercial projects only. All new construction, residential and commercial, still requires a final Certificate of Occupancy once construction is complete and all building inspections are approved.
How long is a Cape Coral TCO valid?
An issued TCO is effective for 30 calendar days only. You may apply for an extension at least 3 business days before it expires, and approval is not guaranteed. The extension request must be in letter form and list outstanding items and completion time frames.
Where do I submit the TCO TCC Application?
Drop the completed application off at the Development Services Department, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33990, or email it to [email protected]. The form names no other channel. You can call (239) 574-0606 with questions.
How long does the city take to review a TCO request?
The form gives a minimum processing time of three (3) business days for the initial review. An inspector then visits the site for a structural inspection, and the CO Desk notifies the permit holder when the TCO is ready for the Building Official's signature.
Is there a fee for the TCO TCC Application?
Yes. The form says each TCO application and each 30-calendar day extension carries a non-refundable fee, due before processing. All fees on the parcel must also be paid before the TCO is issued. Call (239) 574-0606 for the current amounts.
What documents do I need with a TCO request?
You need a notarized letter on company letterhead stating the hardship, remaining work, timeframe and planned use. Commercial projects also need a signed and sealed letter from the Design Professional of Record. Private provider permits add a compliance report and final report card.
What happens if my TCO expires without an extension?
The building or structure must be vacated immediately. Electric and water utilities may be shut off at the Building Official's discretion, and a Code Compliance order may begin enforcement action, including daily running fines.
Can I fill out the TCO TCC Application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the application to the City of Cape Coral; you deliver or email it through the city's channels.
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