Local Information for Service Providers by County

Local Service Providers are by county and listed below in alphabetical order.  Click on the link below for your area and quick reference for utilities and other local services.

LEE COUNTY

Electric Service

• • • Cape Coral: LCEC.net / 239-656-2300

    • Fort Myers: fpl.com

Items you will need for electric service:

• Visit the office BEFORE 3pm for same day service

• Driver’s license

• Social security number

• Deposit (deposits can be waived with qualifications so don't forget to ask)

If rental unit- copy of the lease

Water Service

• Cape Coral: City of Cape Coral / 239-574-0401

• Fort Myers: City of FT Myers / 239-321-8100

Items you will need for water service:

• On the day of closing, no sooner, and BEFORE 4 pm, have your attorney or title co. fax a copy of the deed to your property to FKAA to ensure water service that day

• Driver’s license

• Social security number

• Deposit (deposits can be waived with qualifications so don't forget to ask)

If rental unit- bring a copy of the lease

Internet/Cable/Telephone

• Comcast – www.comcast.com / Call: 1-800-266-2278

• Century Link - www.centurylink.com / Call: 800-339-1811

Garbage Service

• Waste Pro USA: 239-945-0800 / www.WasteProUSA.com453-1700

• Refuse & Recycling: 239-321-8050

Homestead Exemption

• Homestead Exemption Rules

The Florida Homestead Exemption provides significant property tax benefits to qualifying homeowners on their primary residence. Key rules include residency requirements, application deadlines, tax reduction amounts, and limits on assessment increases.

• Eligibility Requirements qualify, you must meet the following criteria as of January 1st of the tax year for which you are applying:

  • Ownership: You must hold legal or beneficial title to the property (a recorded deed or title).

  • Residency: The property must be your permanent residence or the permanent residence of a dependent. You must be a permanent resident of Florida and cannot claim a residency-based exemption in another state or county.

  • Documentation: You (and your spouse, even if they are not on the deed) must provide your Social Security Number and a valid Florida Driver's License or ID card with the homestead address. Other documentation, such as Florida vehicle registration, voter registration, or a utility bill, may also be required.

  • Occupancy: The property must be occupied as your primary home. Renting out the home generally disqualifies it from the exemption, though military members with PCS orders may have exceptions.

  • Application Process and Deadlines

• Initial Application: You must file an initial application (Form DR-501) with your county's property appraiser's office. Many counties allow you to apply online.

• Filing Deadline: The deadline to file for the current tax year is March 1st. Late filings are sometimes permitted through early September, but it is best to file by the March 1st deadline.

• Automatic Renewal: Once approved, the exemption typically renews each year automatically, provided your residency and ownership status haven't changed. It is your responsibility to notify the property appraiser of any changes.

• Key Benefits

• Property Tax Reduction: The exemption can reduce the property's assessed value by up to $50,000.

  • The first $25,000 is exempt from all property taxes, including school district taxes.

  • An additional exemption of up to $25,000 (for properties with an assessed value over $50,000) applies to non-school taxes only. The amount of this second exemption is adjusted annually for inflation.

  • Save Our Homes (SOH) Assessment Cap: This constitutional amendment limits annual increases in your home's assessed value to the lesser of 3% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI) change, beginning the year after you receive the exemption. This cap helps protect long-term homeowners from large tax hikes due to rapidly rising market values.

• Portability: If you move to a new Florida home, you can transfer (or "port") your accumulated SOH benefit (the difference between your old home's market value and its assessed value) to the new property. You must apply for portability (Form DR-501T) at the time of your new homestead application, within three years of abandoning your previous homestead.

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• Additional Exemptions

Florida offers further exemptions for specific groups, which may require separate applications and proof of status:

• Seniors: Homeowners 65 and older may qualify for an additional exemption based on household income limitations set annually by the state.

• Disabled Persons/Veterans: Exemptions are available for individuals with disabilities, and for disabled veterans (or their surviving spouses), with the potential for a full tax exemption in cases of total and permanent service-connected disability.

• Widows/Widowers: A $5,000 exemption is available for Florida residents who are widowed.

Post Office

• 800-275-8777

Local Hospitals

• Cape Coral Hospital / 239-574-2323

Libraries

Vehicle Registration

Lee County Tax Collector’s Office – https://www.leetc.com/vehicles-vessels

New residents must register their vehicles and obtain Florida license tags within 30 days of establishing legal residency or by the day they begin work in Florida or by the time they register their children in school.

Items you will need:

• Proof of vehicle ownership

• Proof of insurance

• Previous out-of-state title and registration

• A state form that includes the vehicle registration umber and odometer reading

• Valid driver’s license and a second form of personal identification

• The vehicle you are registering

Boat Registration

• Lee County Tax Collector’s Office – https://www.leetc.com/vehicles-vessels

Registration is required on all boats with motors, regardless of size. A valid out-of-state registration of any pleasure craft is recognized for up to 90 days in Florida. After that, Florida registration is required. Fees vary according to the length of the boat.

Items you will need:

• Title and/or registration

• Valid driver’s license and a second form of personal identification

Obtaining a Florida Driver's License

Lee County Tax Collector’s Office - - https://www.leetc.com/driver-licenses

• New residents are required to pass only a visual examination if they have a valid driver’s license from another state - an appointment is recommended

• A new license costs $20 and is valid for 6 years; License renewal is $15; Replacement cost is $10

• Drivers must be at least 16 y.o. to qualify for a driver’s license and 15 y.o. to get a restricted operators permit

Items to bring:

• Proof of Social Security Number – Such as: SSN Card, W-2 Form, Pay Check, DD-124 or School Record

• Valid out-of-state driver’s license

• Passport, Residents Card, etc. must be valid and not expired

Obtaining a Florida Voter Registration Card

You may register at any bank or library in Monroe County or call the voter registration office in your community.

Office locations:

• Call: 239-533-8683

• https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home

Schools and Colleges

• Lee County Schools / 239-574-2323

Fishing and Hunting License Information

Licenses are available from Lee County Tax Collector’s offices or substations ranging from bait shops

City Government Offices

Local City Offices:

• City Hall - 

• Cape Coral Parks and Recreation / 239-573-3128

County Government Offices

Lee County Government Center

State Government

State of Florida Government - http://www.state.fl.us/

Law Enforcement

Lee County Sheriff's Office

City Police Departments

• Non Emergency Call: 239-574-3223

Florida Highway Patrol

• 1-800-240-0453, Statewide cell number: *FHP

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

  • 1-888-404-FWCC

Airports

• Southwest Regional Airport (RSW) / 239-768-1000

• Page Field Airport 239-590-6600

• Punta Gorda Airport 941-639-1101

Chamber of Commerce

• Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce / 239-533-6900

Hurricane and Severe Weather Preparation Information

• Monroe County Emergency Management: 490 63rd Street Ocean, Suite 150 Marathon: (305) 289-6018, 1-800-427-8340

• National Hurricane Center - http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

• For up-to-date emergency and weather related information tune into:

• Local radio

• Cable TV, channel 5 and 78

• NOAA weather radio:

Newspapers

• News-Press.com

• Cape Coral Daily Breeze / 239-574-1110