County Building Permits
Lee County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, Florida. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated properties in Lee County. Projects in incorporated cities (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers Beach, Village of Estero, Sanibel) must apply with the respective municipality.
- Department
- Lee County Community Development, Building and Permitting Services
- Address
- 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901
- Phone
- 239-533-8585
- eConnect@leegov.com
- Website
- https://www.leegov.com/dcd
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Accela eConnect • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine permit requirements and identify unincorporated Lee County jurisdiction.
- Prepare application materials including site plans, construction plans, and Florida-code structural criteria showing ultimate and nominal design wind speed, risk category, wind exposure, enclosure classification, and component and cladding pressures where applicable.
- If project value exceeds $5,000, obtain and prepare Notice of Commencement for recording with Lee County Clerk.
- Submit application and all documents through Accela eConnect portal.
- Pay all required fees before inspections can be scheduled.
- County staff reviews for compliance with Florida Building Code and Lee County codes.
- If Special Flood Hazard Area applies, elevation-certificate review is required.
- Request inspections in eConnect and pass all required inspections.
- Once final inspection passes and all fees are cleared, county issues certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance through eConnect.
- Owner-builders must personally appear at the Public Works Building to sign for permit issuance.
Typical processing time: Variable; consult eConnect portal for current status.
Source: Lee County Community Development, Building and Permitting Services
General Requirements
A building permit is required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, occupancy changes, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work within unincorporated Lee County.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plan
- Construction plans with Florida Building Code structural criteria
- Ultimate and nominal design wind speed, risk category, wind exposure, enclosure classification, and component and cladding pressures (where applicable)
- Proof of ownership or authorization
- Notice of Commencement (for projects over $5,000)
- Permit validity
- Permit expires if no inspection is passed within 180 days of issuance.
- Building code
- Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), effective December 31, 2023
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must personally appear at the Public Works Building to sign for permit issuance regardless of application method.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold valid Florida licenses and comply with local registration requirements.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Consult fee schedule through Lee County Community Development.
- Payment note
- All fees must be paid before inspections can be scheduled.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Lee County Community Development, Building and Permitting Services to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Accela eConnect portal (online)
Additional Resources
- Building code: Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), effective December 31, 2023
- Verify contractor license: Florida DBPR License Lookup
- Residential Building Guide
- Plan Details and Specifications
- Floodplain Information
- Elevation Certificates Search
- License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Lee County Community Development, Building and Permitting Services before applying.
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