Lee County Building and Trade Permit Guide

Southwest Florida's Lee County is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state, with construction activity spanning from Fort Myers' urban core to the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva. This explosive growth means more builders, contractors, and trades professionals need to understand Lee County's permit requirements than ever before.

Permitting here combines the statewide Florida Building Code with Lee County’s own local requirements. While the county has invested in digital systems to speed things up, knowing the process inside and out is the difference between breaking ground on schedule or hitting costly delays.

This guide walks you through Lee County's permit application procedures, fees, inspection schedules, and special requirements.

Simplify permitting in Lee County with PermitFlow. Learn how.

‍

What requires a building permit in Lee County?

According to Lee County building permit requirements, a permit must be obtained if you plan to:

• Construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure
• Install, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any regulated systems, including electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, when regulated by the Florida Building Code

‍

What doesn’t require a building permit?

Under Lee County Land Development Code §6‑117 (adopted via Ordinances 11‑08 and 17‑22), certain minor repairs or improvements are exempt from permitting when performed within a 12‑month period on a single dwelling unit, and if the total combined cost does not exceed $500. 

These include:

• Replacing windows, doors, or garage doors, when less than 25% of the total glazed area
• Water heater replacement
• Replacing plumbing or electrical fixtures
• Installing, replacing, or repairing low-voltage systems, such as:
  
  • Telephones
  • Data transmission cables
  • Fire/security systems
  • Closed‑circuit TV, paging systems, speakers
  • Landscaping and pool lighting
• Roof repairs, including wood replacement, when under 25% of the total roof area
• Up to 100 sq ft of drywall repairs, where no fire separation is involved

‍

Who handles permitting in Lee County?

Permits are managed by the Department of Community Development – Building Services, which covers areas such as Alva, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Pine Island, and others. All applications and payments are processed online via the eConnect system.

• Address: 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901
• Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Phone: 239-533-8585

‍

Lee County building permit costs

Fees vary by project type, with multiple components including plan review, permit fees, and mandated surcharges (administration and radon).

‍

Residential fees

‍

‍

‍

Commercial fees

‍

‍

‍

Mandatory surcharges: Every permit has at least $2 (or 1.5% of permit fee) for administration and $2 (or 1% of permit fee) for radon, per Florida law (HB 663 / HB 741).

‍

‍

Additional building-related fees

‍

‍

‍

Plan review, re-inspection & zoning fees

‍

‍

For more information, refer to the county’s permitting fees page.

‍

Lee County trade permits

Even if fee structures overlap, each trade requires a separate permit.

‍

Electrical permits

Necessary for new circuits, service upgrades, EV chargers, and other electrical system work.

‍

Plumbing permits

For any installation or modification of water, sewer, or gas systems.

‍

Mechanical (HVAC) permits

Required for installing or upgrading heating and cooling systems.

‍

Specialty permits

Permits are required for projects involving roofing, decks, sheds, and accessory structures.

‍

‍

To find more information about your specific project, refer to the permitting fees page.

‍

Take the stress out of permitting with PermitFlow.
PermitFlow streamlines applications, tracks approvals, and keeps your projects moving. Learn how.

‍

How to get a building permit in Lee County

Step 1: Determine what you're building

Review the Lee County Permit Requirements guides to see if your project (e.g., remodel, new home, pool, HVAC, fence, irrigation) needs a permit. If unsure, contact the Lee County Building Division for clarification at 239-533-8585.

‍

Step 2: Gather your documentation

Required documents vary by project type but typically include:

• Completed lee county building permit application:
  
  • Commercial building permit application
  • Residential building permit application
• Site plan or survey
• Construction drawings/blueprints
• Structural or engineering details
• Contractor/owner information
• Other supporting documents, as listed in the county’s permit checklists

Note: Contractors are required to use eConnect.

‍

Step 3: Submit your application via eConnect

If you’re a contractor, submit the application using eConnect. For homeowners, the process is slightly different:

1. Finish the paper application
2. Gather all required documents as per the checklist
3. Send them to the Building Department:
   
   1. Address: Lee County Public Works Building, first floor, 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901

‍

Step 4: Plan review

Staff review your application for compliance with the Florida Building Code and local ordinances. You’ll be notified of any corrections or missing items; revised documents must be resubmitted via eConnect.

‍

Step 5: Pay fees

Once the permit is approved, pay the required permit fees, plan review fees, and state surcharges through the eConnect payment system. All permits include administrative and radon surcharges as required by Florida law.

‍

Step 6: Schedule inspections

After issuance, schedule inspections through eConnect or call 239-533-8997. All required inspections must be completed within 180 days of issuance, or the permit will expire.

‍

Step 7: Receive your certificate

Upon successful inspections and project completion, eConnect will generate your Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Certificate of Completion (CC).

‍

Lee County permitting resources

• Department of Community Development
  
  • Address: 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901
  • Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Phone: 239-533-8585
• eConnect
• Applications:
  
  • Commercial building permit application
  • Residential building permit application
• Guides and forms
• Residential permit application requirements
• Inspections
• Permitting fees

‍

Simplify permitting in Lee County with PermitFlow

Pulling a permit in Lee County can be challenging, especially with today’s high volume of construction and added layers of coastal and hurricane-related requirements. Instead of spending hours navigating forms, codes, and back-and-forth reviews, let PermitFlow handle it for you.

PermitFlow is purpose-built software that manages your permits from start to finish. We prepare, submit, and track your Lee County building permits, as well as permits in every other jurisdiction where you build.

Why contractors trust PermitFlow:

• Local expertise: Our team knows Lee County’s codes and coastal regulations, ensuring your applications move quickly.
• Centralized control: Manage all of your permits through one simple dashboard.
• Error-free submissions: We deliver complete, accurate applications that minimize delays and rejections.

Keep your projects on schedule and your team focused on building. Contact PermitFlow today to see how we can simplify permitting for you.