by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Consultant Stantec presented its Stormwater Assessment Study to the Sanibel City Council on July 21, 2026. While a fee structure is yet to be determined, it is based on impervious area. Impervious area includes surfaces that prevent water from naturally soaking into the ground.
Typical impervious surfaces on a single-family lot are roofs; paved parking and driveways; patios, decks, and hardscapes; walkways and sidewalks; utility pads; sheds on slab; and other similar surfaces. These are used to calculate the stormwater fee.
An estimate of what a fee might be is $277.55 annually for a single-family residence. This compares to $451.68 for Fort Myers Beach, $297.36 for Naples, and $156 for Cape Coral.
Council voted unanimously to move forward with a potential stormwater assessment. The entire study can be found on the city’s website, mysanibel.com.
The Sanibel storm water system leaves out some beach front properties and perhaps others. Bandy Beach has been complaining for years but the city will not allow hook up or drain the storm flooded grounds and driveways at this condo complex. For Bandy Beach located on the Gulf end of Buttonwood Lane the Sanibel storm water system is totally ineffective. Fix the entire system before you start assessing properties and certainly do not assess those not served.