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Permits in Lee County

Building, zoning, environmental, and right-of-way permitting across Lee County. Jurisdiction matters, the same project can need a different permit path in different cities.

Check what applies to your address

Get a free answer for your location and project, rather than relying only on this general guide.

See the $19 Project Kit

Need everything organized? For eligible projects, the optional $19 Project Kit brings your filing steps, official documents, fees and progress checklist together. Government fees are separate.

Before you apply

Browse all permits

Does Lee County issue permits inside its cities?

Lee County's Permit Center directs applicants to check local jurisdictions for work in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel. Confirm the exact property and the responsible office before filing. A Fort Myers mailing address does not, by itself, establish which government's permit process applies.

Official guidance: Lee County Permit Center and city contacts

Find a Florida DEP environmental application

Search official Florida DEP environmental resource or coastal applications by exact application number or published site address. Other local and water-management district permits may not appear here.

For permit documents, full records, current decisions and agency jurisdiction, check the official DEP permit search instructions.

Building & Construction

Apply for a Lee County roof covering permit

For Lee County-administered properties, the County published a Roof Application and Permitting Guide updated April 6, 2026. Contractors apply through eConnect and choose Trades > Roof. Owner-builders may submit a paper application in person with disclosure. The October 2025 Roof Covering Permit Application identifies additional roof information. County pages and PDF links returned HTTP 403 to StartFL server during review, so these are source-researched instructions, NOT verified direct document delivery.

Unincorporated County

Check a driveway or right-of-way permit

A County-maintained road may require Lee County DOT permitting even when the property is inside a municipality. Verify road ownership and right-of-way authority before applying.

Unincorporated Countyfort-myerscape-coral

Find the municipal building permit path

Lee County names six incorporated jurisdictions that may use local permit processes. Confirm the exact City, Village or Town boundary, then use that government's current building department and portal.

fort-myerscape-coralbonita-springs

Prepare a Lee County building permit inquiry

For a site confirmed to be in unincorporated Lee County, use County Community Development guidance and eConnect. Confirm the exact permit type, submittal checklist, contractor status, fees and inspection sequence with the County before filing.

Unincorporated County

Prepare a Lee County residential building addition application

For a property officially verified in unincorporated Lee County, the County publishes a residential building permit application (Oct 2025) and residential building guide. The form includes owner/contractor identity, STRAP parcel, construction value, work type, conditional grading, and subcontractor fields. The County form states Notice of Commencement is required for projects over $5,000. StartFL's server cannot currently retrieve these pages because requests are redirected and return HTTP 403; use as guidance, not a sellable document.

Unincorporated County

Zoning & Land Use

Property