County building permit guide
Lee County, Florida building permits — complete guide (2026)
Lee County includes Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and the Gulf Coast island communities. Hurricane Ian (2022) caused catastrophic destruction - rebuilding has driven extraordinary permit volume. Cape Coral is the largest city by land area in Florida and relies heavily on the city's own permit portal. The county's post-Ian Substantial Improvement enforcement is among the strictest in the state.
Avg cost: $150-$900
Processing: 2-8 weeks
~35K permits/yr
Post-Hurricane Ian
$150-$900Avg permit cost
2-8 weeksProcessing time
35,000Permits/year
Partial (SB 1586)ADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your Lee County, Florida permit?
County serves unincorporated Lee County. Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel, Bonita Springs, Estero, and other municipalities have their own departments. Sanibel had separate post-Ian rebuilding ordinances.
Apply via Lee County ePermit ↗
Lee County, Florida Building Department
ePermit Portal Available
Lee County Development Services
(239) 533-8585
Mon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm ET
1500 Monroe St, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Lee County ePermit Portal
POST-HURRICANE IAN (2022): Lee County has the most post-hurricane rebuilding activity in Florida. If your property sustained Ian damage, Substantial Improvement rules are strictly enforced. Properties where repair costs exceed 50% of pre-storm value MUST be elevated to current flood elevation - contact the county BEFORE starting any repairs.
Permit fees — Lee County, Florida, 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Construction | $500-$2,800 | 4-10 weeks | FBC; post-Ian stricter elevation requirements; very high current volume |
| Roofing | $150-$600 | 3-7 days | Extremely high volume post-Ian; FL Product Approval; wind mitigation after |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $100-$325 | 3-7 days | Separate mechanical permit; high demand for replacements post-storm |
| Electrical | $100-$325 | 3-7 days | Separate electrical permit; post-Ian damage replacements very common |
| Plumbing | $100-$275 | 3-7 days | Separate plumbing permit; septic permits common in rural Lee County |
| Pool / Spa | $300-$1,000 | 4-9 weeks | Barrier fence; Cape Coral has one of highest pool densities nationally |
| Room Addition | $350-$1,800 | 4-9 weeks | Flood elevation requirements; post-Ian standards apply |
| Seawall Repair | $400-$3,000+ | 4-12 weeks | FDEP + county permit; Cape Coral canal system; post-Ian very high volume |
| Windows / Doors | $100-$400 | 3-7 days | Impact-rated required; FL Product Approval; massive post-Ian volume |
| Solar | $100-$375 | 1-2 weeks | Strong Gulf Coast solar resource; FL Product Approval required |
| Dock / Boat Lift | $200-$1,500 | 4-12 weeks | FDEP + county permit; extensive canal system; very popular |
| Demolition | $150-$700 | 1-3 weeks | High post-storm demolition volume; asbestos survey required |
How to get a permit in Lee County, Florida
1
Cape Coral vs. Lee County
Cape Coral (the largest FL city by area) has its own permit portal and building department - not the county. Fort Myers, Sanibel, Bonita Springs also have separate departments. Unincorporated Lee County uses the county portal.
2
Post-Ian Substantial Improvement check
This is critical for Lee County. Contact the county or your city BEFORE starting repairs. If your Ian damage is assessed at 50%+ of pre-storm value, you must elevate and fully comply with current FBC. Many property owners in Fort Myers Beach discovered this after starting repairs without checking.
3
Flood elevation confirmation
Confirm your current Base Flood Elevation before designing any new construction or major renovation. Post-Ian FEMA remapping has changed elevations in many Lee County areas.
4
Apply online
The county ePermit portal handles online applications for unincorporated areas. Cape Coral has its own portal at capecoral.gov. Fort Myers has its own system.
5
Waterfront and marine permits
Lee County has enormous waterfront construction activity. Seawalls, docks, boat lifts all require both a county permit AND Florida DEP coastal construction permit. Start both simultaneously.
6
Wind mitigation inspection
Lee County's insurance market is the most expensive in Florida post-Ian. A wind mitigation report after new roofing can save $2,000-$5,000/year in this market. Critical financial decision.
Jurisdictions within Lee County, Florida
Special zone requirements
Hurricane Storm Surge Zones A-D
Entire Gulf coastline, Fort Myers Beach, Pine Island
Ian caused 18-foot storm surge in some areas. Zone A properties face the highest compliance requirements for rebuilding.
FEMA Flood Zones AE/VE
Extensive - coastal, canals, bay areas
Post-Ian FEMA maps significantly expanded flood zone coverage. Elevation certificates required for nearly all construction near water.
Cape Coral Canal System
City of Cape Coral
Cape Coral has more miles of canals than Venice, Italy. Waterfront permits require FDEP + city permits. Seawall condition critical for any construction.
Frequently asked questions — Lee County, Florida
How did Hurricane Ian affect building permits in Lee County?
Hurricane Ian (September 2022) was the most destructive hurricane in Florida history in terms of property damage, with Lee County taking a direct hit. Fort Myers Beach was nearly destroyed. Rebuilding has driven Lee County to record permit volumes since 2022. The Substantial Improvement rule has been strictly applied - many property owners were required to elevate entire structures as part of rebuilding.
Does Cape Coral have its own permit system?
Yes. Cape Coral is the largest city in Lee County by area and has its own building department and permit portal separate from Lee County. Apply at capecoral.gov for properties inside Cape Coral city limits. The city's extensive canal system creates unique waterfront permitting requirements.
What are the post-Ian elevation requirements?
FEMA updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps post-Ian for many Lee County areas. New construction and Substantially Improved structures must meet the new Base Flood Elevation requirements, plus local freeboard requirements (typically 1 foot above BFE). In former VE zones (coastal high hazard), this can mean building on pilings up to 14 feet above grade.
Is Fort Myers Beach open for rebuilding?
Fort Myers Beach was severely damaged by Ian and is in active rebuilding. The town has its own building department with post-Ian specific procedures. Properties must pass Substantial Improvement determinations before permits are issued. The rebuilding process has been slower than hoped due to the scale of damage and elevated compliance requirements.
Lee County Development Services 2024 · US Census Bureau BPS · Florida Building Commission