Update 4/25/23 – The Cape Coral City Council has imposed a moratorium on accepting applications or issuing permits for new self-storage developments until at least January 2024. City officials will use that time to determine where in the city they believe self-storage facilities are appropriate, according to the source.

“We just want to make sure we’re putting them in the right places,” Hayden said. ‘We don’t want to give up our prime commercial frontage on the main corridors, where we know the businesses that we really want to bring here should be.”

Project applications that are already being processed through the system will be allowed to move forward. Self-storage accounts for 11% of commercial space in the city, the source reported.

3/16/23 – The Cape Coral, Florida, City Council will discuss placing a moratorium on all self-storage permits, site plans and development through Jan. 13, 2024, during a public hearing on April 5. Though city officials acknowledge there is demand for the service, they believe storage facilities are occupying too much prime real estate and being developed too close together, according to the source.

Councilmember Tom Hayden told the source he believes the city needs time to better plan for self-storage projects. “When you’re a 92% residential community like Cape Coral, there’s going to be a need for storage space,” Hayden said.

There is currently 1.5 million square feet of self-storage within the city, with another 1.05 million square feet either in permitting or under construction, the source reported.

Potential restrictions are being considered within all zoning districts. In some areas, such as along Burnt Store Road, officials will also consider road setbacks and distance between facilities.

2/23/23 – Officials in Cape Coral, Florida, are considering whether to add new regulations on self-storage development. They’re expected to discuss the matter this week, according to sources.

A new clause in the legislation would require that new self-storage projects be at least 1,000 feet from any existing storage facility. It would also add stipulations for developments along Pine Island Road, a busy corridor that has experienced business growth in recent years. The front property line for a storage facility would need to be less than 170 feet wide. Storage would also be prohibited from being developed on Burnt Store Road.

Cape Coral has about 20 existing self-storage facilities, according to sources.

Sources:
WINK, 9-Month Moratorium on New Self-Storage Facilities in Cape Coral
ABC 7, Cape Coral Possibly Halting Construction of Future Self-Storage Facilities
ABC 7, City of Cape Coral to Discuss New Regulations for Self-Storage Units
NBC 2, City of Cape Coral to Discuss New Regulations for Self-Storage Units