ON MONDAY AND THROUGH VALENTINES WEEKEND. COMING UP IN JUST A BIT. >> THE LACK OF RAIN IS TURNING OUR LAWNS BONE DRY. AND ALTHOUGH WATER RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE IN 5 OF OUR 6 COUNTIES, NOT EVERYONE IS FOLLOWING THE RULES TO KEEP OUR WATER RESERVES FROM RUNNING OUT. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER DYLAN BEARING CONTINUES OUR TEAM COVERAGE IN CAPE CORAL WITH JUST HOW MANY VIOLATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN HANDED OUT. >> PEOPLE IN PARTS OF NORTH CAPE CORAL ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THEIR SPRINKLERS AT ALL DUE TO THE WATER SHORTAGE. AND EXPERTS TELL ME IF THE AQUIFER REACHES A NEW ALL-TIME LOW PERMANENT HARM COULD BE DONE. >> CAUSES THE CITY MORE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY’RE OUT. SENDING PEOPLE OUT TO CHECK FOR PEOPLE, THE WATER AND THEY SHOULD. AND THAT IS REBELS MESSAGE TO HIS NEIGHBORS OVER USING THEIR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS. >> IN NORTH CAPE CORAL, THE SPRINKLERS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE RUNNING DURING THE DAY. AND IF YOU GET CAUGHT, IT COULD COST YOU. THE CITY OF CAPE CORAL HAS SEEN 1922 CODE VIOLATIONS SINCE THE WATER RESTRICTIONS TOOK EFFECT. CITY SAID WARNINGS WERE ISSUED FOR FIRST-TIME VIOLATORS WITHOUT A FINE. THE SECOND TIME COST YOU $200. PEOPLE ON PRIVATE WELLS IN THE AREA OF NORTH CAPE BETWEEN NELSON ROAD AND NORTHEAST 24TH AVENUE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THEIR SPRINKLERS. MANY PEOPLE HAVE LANDSCAPERS CUT THEIR GRASS YEAR-ROUND. BUT DEAN CAR WITH CAPE CORAL LAWN CARE SAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE NOT CUTTING IT WIN. >> IT DOESN’T NEED TO BE DONE. YOU KNOW, NOTHING’S GIVE IT FOREVER. BUT IT’S IT’S DEFINITELY GOOD TO TO NOT DO IT TOO MUCH. >> THOSE OF YOU ON CITY WATER SHOULD REMEMBER TO FOLLOW THE RULES ON WHAT DAYS YOU SHOULD WATER YOUR LAWN. IF NOT, YOU COULD BE FINED AS WELL
Water restrictions in north Cape Coral lead to code violations
Updated: 7:37 PM EST Feb 13, 2026
Residents in north Cape Coral are facing fines for violating water restrictions as the city deals with a water shortage that could cause permanent harm if the aquifer reaches a new all-time low.Rick Bell urged his neighbors to be mindful of their irrigation system usage, saying, “Water when you can and when you can’t. You know, it causes the city more problems because they’re sending people out to check for people, the water, and they shouldn’t.”Sprinklers are not supposed to be running during the day, and violations can result in fines. Since the water restrictions took effect, the city of Cape Coral has recorded 1,922 code violations. The city issues warnings for first-time violators without a fine, but a second violation costs $200.Residents on private wells in the area between Nelson Road and Northeast 24th Avenue are prohibited from using their sprinklers. Many people have landscapers cut their grass year-round, but Dean Carr from Cape Coral Lawn Care advised, “But, like I said, make sure that you’re not cutting it when it doesn’t need to be done. You know, I’m not saying to skip it forever, but it’s definitely good to not do it too much.”Those on city water should also adhere to the rules regarding watering days to avoid fines.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Residents in north Cape Coral are facing fines for violating water restrictions as the city deals with a water shortage that could cause permanent harm if the aquifer reaches a new all-time low.
Rick Bell urged his neighbors to be mindful of their irrigation system usage, saying, “Water when you can and when you can’t. You know, it causes the city more problems because they’re sending people out to check for people, the water, and they shouldn’t.”
Sprinklers are not supposed to be running during the day, and violations can result in fines. Since the water restrictions took effect, the city of Cape Coral has recorded 1,922 code violations. The city issues warnings for first-time violators without a fine, but a second violation costs $200.
Residents on private wells in the area between Nelson Road and Northeast 24th Avenue are prohibited from using their sprinklers. Many people have landscapers cut their grass year-round, but Dean Carr from Cape Coral Lawn Care advised, “But, like I said, make sure that you’re not cutting it when it doesn’t need to be done. You know, I’m not saying to skip it forever, but it’s definitely good to not do it too much.”
Those on city water should also adhere to the rules regarding watering days to avoid fines.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.