City of Cape Coral will no longer renew or accept new applications for city licensing. Effective July 1, contractors must be licensed with the state to apply for certain permit types. Florida House Bill 735 eliminated local government licensing for construction trades. Certain trades do not require a state license to apply for a permit. Contractors must have a City EnerGov Customer Self-Service account to apply for a trade permit to include asphalt coating and sealing, canvas awnings, concrete, fence erection, insulation, paver block, paving and signs, and must use the EnerGov Customer Self-Service portal to apply for all permits. Contractors who already have a state license or certification for their specific trade only need to verify their state license is up to date for their registration. Contractors who previously had a city specialty contractor license are now required to have a state license if their specific trade requires a state specialty or contractor’s license. The city will no longer require or validate contractor insurance, worker’s compensation or any previous city license requirement. Only the state license or certification will be verified, which will occur each time a permit application is made.