FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Gibbs, Lee County Community Development
              (239) 479-8345

COUNTY ISSUES 475 HOMES PERMITS IN OCTOBER

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 12, 2003) - Lee County's Department of Community Development issued 475 single-family home permits in October, topping the 400 permit mark for the fourth straight month

The 400-permit mark was broken for the first time this past April and the county had a 500+ month for the first time in August.

The county issued 475 permits for single-family houses in October totaling $85.6 million in value.

Here's a breakdown since April:

• April - 403
• May - 445
• June - 365
• July - 400
• Aug. - 571
• Sept. - 423
• Oct. - 474

The numbers are for unincorporated Lee County, the City of Bonita Springs and the Town of Fort Myers Beach. Both Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach contract with the county to do their permitting services.

Lee County Community Development oversees planning, zoning, and development services such as permitting, development review, code enforcement and building inspections in the unincorporated areas of the county and for Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach. It employs 188 people and has a fiscal year 2003 operating budget of $18.4 million.

To learn more about the department and its services, visit http://www.lee-county.com/dcd/. Or to view weekly, monthly or annual building reports, visit http://lee-county.com/dcd/Reports/ReportsMain.htm.