In short
- A boat davit and hoist rules calculator checks your plan against Cape Coral Land Development Code section 5.4.6: a davit base at least 5 ft from the side lot line, reach over the water of no more than 25% of the waterway width or 30 ft (whichever is less), and nothing higher than 8 ft above mean high water when not in use.
- Pick davit or overhead hoist, then enter the setback, waterway width, reach and height. Mooring pile height and distance are optional.
- Each row shows pass, or the amount over or short. The result also tells you whether the 25% rule or the 30 ft cap sets your reach limit.
- Wind rating, electrical permit and lift capacity are separate questions; links are below.
On this page
This boat davit and hoist rules calculator is for Cape Coral canal-front owners who are planning a davit, a swinging lift or an overhead hoist and want to know whether the numbers fit the city code before a drawing is made. It uses only your own measurements and section 5.4.6 of the Land Development Code, with no prices. It supports our Cape Coral dock and boat lift permit checklist and the dock construction code calculator.
En español: calculadora de reglas para pescantes y grúas de botes en Cape Coral
| Check | Your plan | Result |
|---|
What it means
Example: davit base 8 ft from the side lot line, reaching 18 ft into a canal 100 ft wide, highest point 7.5 ft above mean high water when stowed, mooring pile 6.5 ft above mean high water, boat 13.5 ft from the neighbor's line.
How each check is worked out
- Side setback.
The davit base center is 8 ft from the side lot line against a 5 ft minimum: 8 - 5 = 3 ft to spare.
- Reach.
25% of 100 ft is 25 ft, and 25 ft is less than 30 ft, so 25 ft is the limit. A reach of 18 ft leaves 7 ft to spare. On a canal 120 ft wide or more the 30 ft cap takes over.
- Height.
A stowed height of 7.5 ft against 8 ft above mean high water leaves 0.5 ft.
- Mooring pile (optional).
A pile top 6.5 ft above mean high water against 8 ft leaves 1.5 ft.
- Boat distance (optional).
A moored boat 13.5 ft from the adjacent property line against a 10 ft minimum leaves 3.5 ft.
What the Cape Coral code says about davits and hoists
| Rule | Requirement | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Davit side setback | At least 5 ft from the side lot line to the center of the davit base | 5.4.6.B.1 |
| Davit reach | No further into the waterway than 25% or 30 ft, whichever is less (includes swinging lifts extended over the water) | 5.4.6.B.2 |
| Height | Overhead hoists, davits or machinery no higher than 8 ft above mean high water when not in use | 5.4.6.B.3 |
| Lift in a u-shaped dock | An electrical permit is required to install a lift in an existing u-shaped dock | 5.4.6.A |
| Floating dock or lift | Anchored so it does not impede neighboring waterfront property | 5.4.6.C.2 |
| Mooring pile height | No higher than 8 ft above mean high water | 5.4.5.C |
| Moored boat distance | No closer than 10 ft to the adjacent property line | 5.4.5.D |
Source: City of Cape Coral Land Development Code, Article 5, sections 5.4.5 and 5.4.6. We summarize it for planning; the current text and later amendments are what the reviewer uses. Dimensions for floating docks themselves are in section 5.4.3.
This is a rules check, not an approval. A davit or hoist also needs a plan review and the right permit, and the maker sets the lift rating. For how far the dock itself may reach into the canal, see our dock projection calculator.
Lift weight is a different question: see the boat lift capacity calculator, and for water depth under the boat the dock tide clearance calculator.
Questions to ask your davit or lift builder
- Where is the reach measured from on the drawing? Ask for the extended arm length as a dimension from the water's edge and from the lot line.
- Is the base center 5 ft or more from the side lot line? Ask for the dimension to the center of the base, not the edge.
- What is the stowed height above mean high water? Ask for the top of the hoist or machinery in its resting position.
- Does the lift need an electrical permit? It does for a lift in an existing u-shaped dock.
Next step: get a written quote
This tool checks planning numbers, not the price or the job. We are a referral service, not a dock builder; we connect visitors with independent local providers. Use the form below to ask independent local contractors for a written quote, and read how to choose a seawall contractor first.
Sources
- City of Cape Coral Land Development Code, section 5.4.6, parts B and C: davits, hoists and floating docks (pg. 160 of the code).
- City of Cape Coral Land Development Code, sections 5.4.5 and 5.4.6.A: mooring piles and lifts in a u-shaped dock (pg. 159 of the code).
Frequently asked questions
How close to my side property line can a boat davit go in Cape Coral?
Section 5.4.6.B.1 of the Land Development Code sets the minimum side setback for a davit at 5 ft, measured from the side lot line to the center of the davit base.
How far can a davit reach over the water in Cape Coral?
Under section 5.4.6.B.2, a davit, including a swinging lift when extended over the water, may not extend further than 25% into the waterway or 30 ft, whichever is less. On a canal 100 ft wide the limit is 25 ft; on a waterway 120 ft wide or more it is 30 ft.
How high can a boat hoist or davit be in Cape Coral?
Section 5.4.6.B.3 says overhead hoists, davits or machinery may not exceed 8 ft above mean high water when not in use.
Does a boat lift in an existing dock need a permit?
Section 5.4.6.A says an electrical permit is required to install a lift within an existing u-shaped dock. Our permit checklist covers the rest of the paperwork.
How high can a mooring pile be?
Section 5.4.5.C says pilings shall not be higher than 8 ft above mean high water, and 5.4.5.D says a watercraft moored at a quay or pile may not be closer than 10 ft to the adjacent property line. Both are optional checks in this tool.
Does this replace a plan review?
No. It compares your planned numbers with the code text. The city reviewer and your permit drawings decide, and floating docks and lifts must also be anchored so they do not impede neighbors (section 5.4.6.C.2).