Cape Coral Community Fridge faces code enforcement warning, owner seeking clarification

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A Cape Coral business owner says a community fridge set up to help people in need is now facing uncertainty after the city issued a code compliance warning at the property.

For the past five to six years, refrigerators, racks and storage bins outside Lee County Plumbing and Supply on Southeast 47th Terrace have served as a place where neighbors can leave food, clothing and other items for anyone who might need them.

Owner Dionne Lopez says the idea has always been simple; take what you need and leave what you can.

“For the last five or six years we saw people in the community needing help food-wise, so we decided to put out refrigerators so nobody goes hungry,” Lopez said.

Lopez says neighbors and local businesses often donate meals, groceries and leftovers, allowing people to stop by and pick up food at any time.

“People get off work late, they check their bank account and don’t have the money for food. They can stop by here and grab something to eat,” Lopez said.

But earlier this week, Lopez says she found code enforcement notices posted on her door.

The notices give the property owner five days to address the violations or face a possible $150 citation.

According to the notices, the city cited several issues at the property, including garbage and litter near the dumpster, outdoor storage that must be screened, appliances stored outside the building, and barbed wire fencing behind the property.

Lopez says she wants to work with the city but is still trying to understand exactly what changes are required.

“They haven’t told me what I’m violating. Show me what I’m violating. Show me how we can fix the problem,” Lopez said.

Lopez also says the barbed wire cited in the notice has been part of the property for decades.

“Barbed wire has been there for 44 years before we even bought the business,” Lopez said.

Neighbors say the community fridge has become a resource for families and others who may be struggling.

“I see a lot of mothers come here,” said Cape Coral resident Cassandra Carter. “It would be sad to see it go away. A lot of people rely on this.”

City officials say the enforcement action is related to property maintenance concerns and not an attempt to stop people from helping others.

The City of Cape Coral provided the following statement to WINK News:

“The City of Cape Coral’s Code Compliance Division recently issued a written warning for several property maintenance violations at 532 SE 47th Terrace after observing outdoor storage, litter, debris, and the installation of barbed wire fencing, which is not permitted under the City’s Land Development Code. The property owner has been given five days to address these issues before a follow-up inspection.

While one of the items cited includes an outdoor refrigerator used for community sharing, the intent of this action is not to prohibit community giving but to ensure that all properties remain safe, sanitary, and compliant with City code. The Code Compliance Division and the Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) continue to work collaboratively with property owners to bring sites into compliance as part of the CRA’s Enhanced Code Services initiative, which is designed to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment that supports local businesses and community programs.”

WINK News has asked the city whether the refrigerators themselves violate code or if they could remain once the other issues are corrected.