Sanibel City Council approves property height increase

Reporter: Tiffany Rizzo Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:

Sanibel City Council members unanimously voted yes to change the building codes for future property projects.

Sanibel residents are accustomed to low buildings with natural views, but after Hurricane Ian impacted the island, building codes needed to be updated.

The change is now set to a sea level height requirement of 45 feet, an increase from 35 feet.

Sanibel community leaders met Monday to discuss building height changes for future homes and businesses to better protect from storm surges.

Building height on the island is regulated by the Sanibel Plan, Charter and Code.

The Sanibel City Council meeting being held on Nov. 20, 2023. Credit: WINK

The Sanibel City Council said it wanted to remain true to the code, and the intended changes were not made to be drastic.

The Sanibel City Council held the meeting at 8 a.m., at the BIG ARTS building located on 900 Dunlop Rd.

City Council members agreed to a no minimum requirement, but there is a set maximum in respect to height.

The flexibility of the new code will depend on the type and location of future properties on the island.

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