Code Enforcement

Lee County Code Enforcement covers Lee County unincorporated areas.  For information about the code enforcement process within one of Lee County's municipalities, please contact them directly.

 To contact Code Enforcement, please email CodeEnforcement@leegov.com or call (239) 533-8895.

 Resources 

Report a Code Violation

Important Notice: Under Florida Statute 125.69, anyone reporting a potential code violation must provide their full name and address, which will become part of the public record and may be disclosed upon request.

If You Receive a Violation Notice

Violation Process: Complaint → Inspection → Notice of Violation → Compliance or Hearing → Fines/Liens

Staying proactive and communicating with your Code Enforcement Specialist is the best way to resolve issues quickly and avoid additional costs.

  • Review the notice to understand the violation and deadline.
  • Do not ignore it, failing to respond can lead to serious consequences, including:
    • Daily accumulating fines
    • Property liens
    • Court action, such as foreclosure
    • For structures deemed unsafe by the Building Official, demolition orders 
  • Correct the issue as instructed.
  • Request more time if needed by contacting your specialist.

Code Enforcement Hearing

Cases not resolved/abated by the deadline will proceed to a Code Enforcement Hearing. The Hearing Examiner, may: 
  • Order corrective actions
  • Impose Fines up to $1,000/day (first violation) or $5,000/day (repeat violation)
    • If not corrected as stated on the order, Code Enforcement may assess property liens

Code Enforcement Hearings are typically held at the Lee County Public Works Building: 1500 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Fort Myers, FL.

View Hearing Schedule & Location

Lien Process

Fines imposed by the Hearing Examiner, when recorded in the public record:
  • Cross attach to all property owned by the violator.
  • Property cannot be sold with clear title until the lien is satisfied.

Request a Lien Payoff: Email CodeEnforcement@leegov.com or call (239) 533-8895.

Request Lien Mitigation: Assuming the violation that led to the fine has been corrected, it is possible to get the fine reduced by requesting a lien mitigation. Complete a Lien Mitigation Request Form to request the fine or assessed costs resulting from a Hearing Examiner's order be reduced.  


Note: The Hearing Examiner does not have the authority to mitigate liens resulting from costs for the county to abate. (i.e. lot mowing, nuisance accumulation removal, or unsafe structure demolition and removal)

Common Code Violations<Bookmark>

  • Building and/or Property Maintenance
    • Overgrown grass or vegetation
    • Swimming pools in disrepair
    • Unsafe or deteriorated structures
  • Nuisance Accumulation
    • Trash and debris
    • Inoperable or unlicensed vehicles on private property
    • Abandoned vehicles on private property
  • Construction & Zoning
    • Building without permits
    • Expired permits
    • Unpermitted uses
    • Setback or zoning violations
    • Dock and Shoreline
    • Signs
    • Signs placed illegally in the public right of way
  • Environmental Issues
    • Non-compliance with landscaping codes, development order requirements, and/or zoning conditions
    • Tree protection violations
    • Sea turtle protection regulations
    • Indigenous preserve and exotic vegetation removal
    • Protected species management plans & monitoring reports


What Code Enforcement Does Not Handle:<Bookmark>

Please contact the responsible enforcement agency to report a violation regarding any of the issues below.
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