Cape Coral is taking new steps to address code violations, a concern raised by residents at the WINK Listens event this summer. The city is now posting signs outside problem properties to show where code officers are actively working on violations.
In a statement, the city told WINK News, “These signs are intended to encourage faster compliance, promote fairness and accountability, and indicate where the city is acting on confirmed violations.”
Maria Morris, a Cape Coral resident, said she’s grateful for the signs but remains skeptical about their effectiveness. She believes that educating potential buyers before purchasing a home in Cape Coral would be more beneficial, as many people are unaware of the city codes they might be violating.
“You’re not allowed to have an RV out front or in your backyard. You’re not allowed to have chickens and roosters,” Morris said. “Here we’re a small town, so there are things that the people are unaware of when they buy the house. So my suggestion would be, have the real estate people, when they’re doing a transaction, hand out the top 10 codes [violations].”
The city also said that posting the notice at the property helps expedite the compliance process and solve the violation more quickly. Neighbors like Morris hope to see a lasting change.