The Lee County Community Development Department's Building Division is helping people seeking permits for recovery repairs and rebuilding. Permitting lobby and phone hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays. 239-533-8329.

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 & Permitting Services

50% Rule: Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage