The Planning section is responsible for guiding growth and development throughout unincorporated Lee County. The team ensures projects align with the Lee Plan and other regulatory standards by managing amendments to the Lee Plan and overseeing bonus density approvals, environmental permitting and intergovernmental coordination.
To contact Planning, please call (239) 533-8585 or email PODPlanning@leegov.com.
Resources
Lee County Comprehensive Plan (The Lee Plan)
The Planning Section updates and maintains Lee County's Comprehensive Plan, known as
The Lee Plan, to align with the Board of County Commissioners’ strategic goals and Florida state requirements.
The Lee Plan serves three primary purposes:- Policy Consistency: Ensures public and private activities align with the plan's adopted goals, objectives, and policies.
- Regulatory Authority: Provides the foundation for land development regulations, capital improvement programs, and discretionary government actions.
- Community Vision: Represents Lee County’s long-term vision for growth and development through the planning horizon.
Lee Plan Implementation
All development must remain consistent with the Lee Plan. The Planning Section helps enforce plan policies across planning, zoning, and development reviews.
Interpretations
Processes Administrative and Legislative Interpretations under Lee Plan Chapter XIII and Lee County Administrative Code 13-2. Administrative Interpretations include:
- Determining the applicability of the Minimum Use Determination.
- Clarifying Future Land Use Map boundaries, including Wetlands designation.
Lee Plan Amendments
Handles processing of Lee Plan Amendments, including both publicly and privately initiated changes.
Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program
The Transfer of Development Rights Program includes regulations and incentives for property owners to convey dwelling units or development rights to another property through transfer or sale. The landowner may sell development rights and may retain the title to the land and the right to use the land on a limited basis.
Upcoming / Proposed
County-Initiated Lee Plan Amendments
The
Lee County Administrative Code 13-6 defines county-initiated amendments as amendments
directed by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). County initiated amendments follow the process described in Section 163, F.S. CPA2026-00004: Southeast Lee County Update
On April 21, 2026, the BOCC directed staff to update the Lee County Comprehensive Plan (Lee Plan), as it relates to the Southeast Lee Community Plan Area, in response to receiving 11 privately-initiated Lee Plan Amendments. Roundtable Discussion SummaryMay 18, 2026 @ 9:00am
Held at County Administration Building
2115 Second St, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Staff held a community roundtable discussion on the proposed Southeast Lee amendments. Agenda items included a brief introduction and overview, a staff presentation on the proposed amendments and related changes, an open discussion with meeting participants, and an anticipated timeline with project outcomes.
Materials Provided:
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