Process

Construction

What is the right-of-way?

Now lets go back to one of the terms mentioned earlier—right-of-way. This term refers to land owned by a public entity and reserved for infrastructure projects. In Cape Coral, the City actually owns about the first 15 feet of most yards.
  • Planning and Design
  • Pre-Construction
  • Construction
  • Post Construction
Click for larger diagram.A diagram is probably the best way to describe what the City can utilize and what other utilities such as the phone company, the cable company and the electric company, have access to and what belongs exclusively to property owners.

On a typical street, the City has a total of 50 feet of right-of-way, with 25 feet on either side of the center of the street. Most streets are now about 20 feet wide. This means that the City’s right-of-way extends 15 additional feet into the yards on either side. Beyond that, there is a 6-foot utility easement on both sides for cable, phone, electric, etc. The utility companies don’t actually own this segment, but property deeds give them the right to enter this area to construct and maintain utility lines. The standard for separation and depth of each of the utilities is prescribed by code.

In general, building codes require that a house be set back an additional 24 feet from the utility easement.  These are typical residential conditions with normal width streets.  Your specific lot may have minor variations that would be detailed in your deed and lot survey.
 
Since all the utility work will be done in this City owned right-of-way, items such as trees, mailboxes, decorative driveways and sprinkler systems are of concern.

Concerns

  • Trees
  • Mailboxes
  • Decorative Driveways
  • Sprinkler Systems

Individual trees such as this one on the North Loop project can sometimes be successfully avoided. This is the exception rather than the rule however.

Residents will be asked to relocate any special irreplaceable landscaping from the ROW prior to the start of construction.

Every attempt will be made to avoid disturbing decorative driveways and special landscaping. The ability to do this however is influenced by many variables. The depth of the gravity sewer trench, the soil conditions, the amount and type of traffic, the presence of rock or high water tables all contribute to our ability to avoid these obstacles.
Click for larger diagram.Click for larger diagram.
After the actual construction of the utility lines is finished the post construction phase begins. This is a very important time for individual residents. Remember—the City lines stop at the right-of-way, therefore, owners are responsible for connecting their houses to the City’s line. Once our construction is complete, property owners will receive a notice that they should proceed with hooking up the City lines.

The first step is applying to the City Customer Service Division for permits for water and wastewater hook-ups and septic tank abandonment.

Once permits are obtained, property owners may have a licensed plumber make the water and wastewater connection and the required septic system abandonment.

When complete, your new connections must be inspected by the City, and Lee County must inspect your septic tank.

The City will provide property owners with a detailed list of instructions to guide them in making the connections, getting the permits and inspections and establishing service.