Cape Coral moves to require 2‑hour firewall for new commercial shell buildings to reduce tenant retrofits

Cape Coral staff told the Committee of the Whole on Oct. 15, 2025, that multiple recent projects required substantial tenant retrofits after the initial permit and construction because the city’s baseline firewall rating for new commercial shell buildings typically allowed only a 1‑hour partition. Staff recommended requiring a 2‑hour firewall assembly for new commercial multi‑tenant buildings; council members generally supported pursuing a local code change if the state fire marshal does not adopt the change statewide.

Deputy city staff and the fire department explained the operational problem: many strip centers are designed and permitted as a single occupancy (often business/mercantile), which allows a 1‑hour partition. When a later tenant wants a different use — a restaurant, light industrial or…