Update from Lee County Community Development post-Irma
Lee County government resumed normal business hours on Monday, Sept. 18. The Lee County Community Development Department's Building Division is helping people seeking permits for recovery repairs and rebuilding. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
All hurricane damage-related permit fees are being assessed the minimum fee regardless of their scope. All contractors seeking permits must be registered in Florida and Lee County and must provide proof of license and liability insurance. Here is a helpful website:
www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/os/communications_office/HurricaneGuide.html
Additional information:
- Work that does not require a building permit: This includes removal of debris from on or in a structure, minor demolition to prevent injury or further damage to buildings, structural shoring and bracing, replacement of broken windows and doors, repair/replacement of soffit and gutters, roof shingle replacement of 1 square of shingles (10 foot by 10 foot or less of shingles), fence repair/replacement (if fence was previously issued certificate of compliance), minor non-structural repairs made to the exterior of structures, repair of minor water leaks that do not involve structural, mechanical or electrical systems.
- Emergency mechanical and electrical repairs: Where equipment replacement or electrical repairs must be made in an emergency situation, a properly licensed contractor may perform the work while onsite and submit a permit application within 48 hours of completing the repairs. Note that power releases and required inspections will not be performed until the work has been permitted.
- Buildings with structural damage: Buildings that require structural repairs will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To speed this process, permit applicants should provide photographs of damaged areas to assist county staff in determining what construction documents will be required for permit approval.
During this emergency permitting period, Lee County will accept applications for new permits but the review of those permits will not take priority over those seeking permits to repair or rebuild structures due to storm-related damage. Power releases to the utility companies will be done as soon as possible; certificates of occupancy and building inspections will be issued on a case-by-case basis.
Building permit applications must comply with the Florida Building Code, 5th Edition (2014) as of June 30, 2015. Master plans on file with the Community Development Department must be updated to this code. All plans must be certified as meeting the Florida Building Code, 5th Edition (2014).
For details about the code, go to www.floridabuilding.org.
Do I need a permit?
A building permit is required if you plan to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure. A building permit is also required if you plan to install, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, provided the installation is regulated by the Florida Building Code (FBC).
Improvements or repairs not requiring a permit:
Please reference
Florida Building Code Section 105.2 and Land Development Code Chapter 6, Section 6-117 for information regarding improvements or repairs not requiring a permit.