Irrigation contractors working in Cape Coral have faced big changes over the past year with the rollout of Ordinance 46-23, a scaled-down version of Appendix F to the Florida Plumbing Code. While intended to conserve water and improve system efficiency, the new rules have put added pressure on local contractors.
Joseph Marconi, Plans Examiner III with the City of Cape Coral, recently shared clarifications on what’s now required for irrigation plans:
Key Requirements for Your Irrigation Plan
- CAD Drawings & Site Plans
Irrigation designs must be layered over an approved/surveyed site plan. Hand-drawn plans are still allowed for residential projects, but CAD may soon become mandatory for all. - Full System Details
Plans must show head locations (accurate counts), identified zones, pipe sizing (mains and laterals), controllers, point of connection (POC), sensors, and valves. - Component Documentation
Every component used must be listed on the City’s irrigation worksheet, with matching spec sheets uploaded for each item. - Design Standards
- Systems must not exceed 5 fps velocity (e.g., 1″ Sch 40 PVC limited to 12 gpm).
- 70% distribution uniformity (DU) required on all irrigated areas.
- Head-to-head coverage (square, triangular, or rectangular spacing) required.
- Separate zones for planting beds and tree/root bubblers.
- Systems must not exceed 5 fps velocity (e.g., 1″ Sch 40 PVC limited to 12 gpm).
- Additional Notes
Projected watering schedules may be required on future commercial submissions.
What This Means for Irrigation Contractors
Jobs approved last year may no longer pass review under the current ordinance. Residential approval rates have improved (about 75% in 2025, up from 10–20% in 2024), but commercial reviews remain more restrictive and subject to ongoing revisions.
The City acknowledges the strain these changes have created, but the ultimate goal is better water conservation and long-term system performance. Contractors should expect CAD requirements, stricter commercial reviews, and more detailed documentation to become standard.
At Creek Engineering, we stay on top of regulatory shifts like these so our partners in Southwest Florida can keep projects moving without costly delays. If you need guidance on irrigation compliance in Cape Coral or elsewhere in the region, we’re here to help.
Click here to learn more about our GIS Mapping Services for irrigation contractors.
