Florida Permit Desk

Lee County Permits: Portal, Historical Records, and Which Cities Permit Separately

Last updated: (checked against official sources) · County guide · How we research

Independent guide, not a government site. Confirm every requirement with the building office for your address before starting work. Items marked Unverified could not be confirmed on an official page.
Office (unincorporated Lee County)Lee County Community Development, Building & Permitting Services
AddressPublic Works Building, 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone239-533-8329 · eConnect@leegov.com (main Community Development line 239-533-8585)
Hours9 a.m.–4 p.m. (as posted on the County's Community Development pages)
Online permit searcheConnect portal → Global Search (house number + street name); no account needed

Short answer: Lee County has six incorporated cities, towns and villages: Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel.[3][4] Each has its own building permit office, and the County sends people in those places to their local jurisdiction.[2] Lee County Community Development handles permitting, plan review and inspections for unincorporated Lee County.[1] Search County permits for free in the eConnect portal; you don't need an account to search.[6][7] For copies of documents on older permits, you usually file a records request.[7]

Who issues permits for your address

  • Unincorporated Lee County: Lee County Community Development, Building & Permitting Services, 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers.[1][5]
  • Inside a city, town or village: the County's Permit Center page says that if your project is inside Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach or Sanibel, you may need to apply through that local jurisdiction. It links an Incorporated Cities Map.[2] That map was prepared in August 2020.[4] See the municipal table below.

Communities such as Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers and Pine Island are not on the County's list of local municipalities.[3] How to tell from a parcel record whether a property is inside city limits isn't explained on the County's permit pages. Unverified (We found no official Lee County page explaining how to read city limits from a Property Appraiser parcel record. If you aren't sure, call the County at 239-533-8329 or the city.)

Septic permits are handled by the Health Department, not Community Development, according to the County's Permit Center table.[2]

How to search Lee County permits by address

Unincorporated county: use the eConnect portal.[8]

  1. You don't need an account to search.[7]
  2. Use the Global Search bar, or Advanced Search → Search Records/Applications and pick the department.[7]
  3. "Less is more": a house number and street name is usually enough. You can use % as a wildcard in record numbers (for example %RES2026-00%).[7]
  4. Click a record number for details. Without an account you can see permit details, status, inspection history and results, and generate reports. Viewing attachments, documents and correction comments needs an account.[6]

To see the key dates on a record (applied, issued and so on), open the record and use Reports → Record Date Info.[9] That instruction sheet is from 2021 and names an older portal address, so screens may differ.[9]

Historical records and document copies

  • Documents on a permit: only the applicant/contact and the licensed contractor on a record can view its documents online. Anyone else can request copies with a Records Request Form sent to DCDrecords@leegov.com.[7]
  • County public records requests: requests made on or after 1 May 2026 go through the County's NextRequest portal. Requests filed earlier in GovQA can still be tracked there. The County Public Records office is at 2115 Second St., Fort Myers, 239-533-8735.[11]
  • Development and zoning case files: Community Development's Document Search covers closed or issued Development Services case files, zoning case files and resolutions, and historic preservation case files. It is not a building-permit search.[10]
  • Bonita Springs before mid-2008: the City of Bonita Springs says records for projects before 29 June 2008 come from Lee County Community Development.[27]

How far back eConnect's searchable permit history goes isn't stated. Unverified (We found no current Lee County page giving the earliest year of permits in eConnect. For older homes, ask Building & Permitting Services or send a records request.)

Common jobs (unincorporated Lee County)

The County's general rule: you need a building permit to build, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a building, or to change how it is used. You also need one to install, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system covered by the Florida Building Code. For work that doesn't need a permit, the County points to Florida Building Code section 105.2 and Land Development Code section 6-117.[5]

  • Roof: a roof permit is required to replace, repair or re-cover a roof on an existing structure. Tile on a building that didn't have tile before needs engineering approval.[13]
  • Windows, doors and shutters: a permit is required to install, alter or replace shutters and size-for-size windows and doors. Work that isn't size-for-size (for example, enclosing a lanai) needs an alteration permit instead.[14]
  • A/C: a mechanical permit is required to install, alter or replace HVAC equipment and ductwork. Portable units are exempt.[15]
  • Plumbing (including water heaters): a plumbing permit is required to install, replace or relocate plumbing fixtures. Water heaters are among the items plumbing drawings must show.[16] Lee County has no water-heater-specific guide that we found.
  • Fences and walls: a residential fence or wall permit is required to install or replace one.[17]
  • Sheds and decks: a residential accessory structure permit is required.[18]

Work under $7,500 (HB 803)

Since 1 July 2026, state law exempts some single-family work under $7,500 from a building permit. The exemption doesn't cover electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work, or property in a flood hazard area, and the owner or contractor must ask in writing first.[22] Unverified (We found no Lee County page or form on the under-$7,500 exemption. Ask Building & Permitting Services at 239-533-8329 before starting work.) The City of Sanibel posts its own HB 803 exemptions page.[33]

Applying and owner-builder permits

  • Online: apply in eConnect. You need an account to submit applications. Contractors must use eConnect.[6][12]
  • Paper: only owner-builders can file paper applications, in person, at the Public Works Building, first floor, 1500 Monroe St. Include four collated sets of plans and the Owner-Builder Disclosure Statement.[12][19]
  • Owner-builders sign in person: the County says owner-builders must personally appear at 1500 Monroe St. to sign for the permit, however it was submitted.[12] State law limits the exemption to your own use, and selling or leasing within 1 year of completion is presumed to break it.[23] See our owner-builder guide.
  • Permit life: Lee County's guides say an issued permit must pass at least one inspection within 180 days or it expires.[12]
  • Inspections: schedule online in eConnect, or call the automated line at 239-533-8997.[21]
  • Licenses: check a contractor's state license on DBPR.[25]
County guides vs. state law (Notice of Commencement). Lee County's Residential, Plumbing and Shed/Deck guides ask for a recorded Notice of Commencement when the project value is greater than $5,000. The Fence guide says $5,000 or more, and the Mechanical guide says greater than $15,000. All of them say the permit can't be issued until the notice is recorded.[12][16][17][18][15] State law requires a recorded notice before the first inspection when the direct contract is over $5,000, and excludes existing A/C repair or replacement under $15,000.[24] Follow the County's guide to get the permit issued, and ask the County if your job sits near a threshold.
Permit expiration: County guide vs. state law. The County's guides say a permit expires if it doesn't pass an inspection within 180 days of issue.[12] State law says a single-family building permit expires 1 year after issuance (or on the next Florida Building Code edition date, whichever is later), and a local government may extend it.[22] Ask the County how this applies to your permit.

Fees

Lee County adopted a new Building Permit Fee Schedule effective 15 April 2026. It includes a $50 application fee and a $35 technology fee per application, plus review and inspection fees by record type. Impact fees are set separately.[20] See the fee schedule page for your record type.

Contacts (Lee County Community Development)

What Contact
Building & Permitting Services 239-533-8329 · eConnect@leegov.com[5]
Plan Review 239-533-8597 · PODPlanRev@leegov.com[5]
Inspections 239-533-5801 · Inspections@leegov.com; automated line 239-533-8997[5][21]
Community Development (main) 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901 · 239-533-8585[5]
Hours 9 a.m.–4 p.m.[1]
Permit document copies DCDrecords@leegov.com[7]

You can join a virtual line for the Permitting and Zoning counter at 1500 Monroe St. through QLess, or by texting 239-229-7332.[6]

Municipalities in Lee County (6)

City, town or village Who handles building permits Phone / contact
Bonita Springs City Community Development Department (permitting, building, inspections), 9220 Bonita Beach Road, Suite 111; E-portal search by permit number, name or address[26][27] 239-444-6150[26] · permitting@cityofbonitaspringscd.org[27]
Cape Coral City Permitting Services Division; see our Cape Coral page[28] 239-574-0546 · permits@capecoral.gov[28]
Estero Village Building Department and Permitting Services, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle; Mon–Fri 8–5[29] 239-221-5036 · permitting@estero-fl.gov; inspections 239-319-2817[29]
Fort Myers City Building, Permitting & Inspections; EnerGov portal[30] 239-321-7925 · permits@fortmyers.gov[30]
Fort Myers Beach Town Building Services; new applications in GovWell (from 24 Aug. 2026), existing permits in iWorQ[31][32] 239-765-0202 · buildingpermits@fmbgov.com[31]
Sanibel City Building Department, 2475 Library Way; new permits in CityView, existing permits in EnerGov[33] 239-472-4555 · sanibelbuild@mysanibel.com[33]

Notes: Bonita Springs' records page prints the phone as "230-444-6150"; the City directory gives 239-444-6150, which we use.[27][26] Fort Myers Beach says all its permit applications must now be notarized.[32]

Common questions

How do I look up permits on a Lee County property?

For unincorporated Lee County, use the County's eConnect portal. You don't need an account to search: use the Global Search bar or Advanced Search, and a house number plus street name is usually enough.[7] Inside Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach or Sanibel, use that city's own system.[2]

How do I get copies of old permit documents in Lee County?

In eConnect, only the applicant/contact and the licensed contractor on a record can view its documents. Anyone else can ask for copies with a Records Request Form sent to DCDrecords@leegov.com.[7] County public records requests made on or after 1 May 2026 go through the County's NextRequest portal.[11]

Does Lee County issue permits inside Cape Coral or Fort Myers?

No. Lee County Community Development serves unincorporated Lee County.[1] The County tells people in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel that they may need to apply through their local jurisdiction.[2]

Do I need a permit to replace a roof in unincorporated Lee County?

Yes. The County's Roof guide says a roof permit is required to replace, repair or re-cover a roof on an existing structure.[13] Since 1 July 2026, state law also lets some non-structural single-family work under $7,500 be exempt on written request, but not in a flood hazard area.[22]

Statewide permit guides

All Florida counties · All guides

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from the official sources below, checked on 23 October 2026.

  1. Lee County: Community Development (serves unincorporated Lee County)
  2. Lee County: Permit Center (Do you need to apply for a Lee County permit?)
  3. Lee County: Municipalities & Agencies
  4. Lee County: Incorporated Cities Map (PDF, prepared Aug. 24, 2020)
  5. Lee County: Building & Permitting Services
  6. Lee County: Application & Information Center (eConnect, guides, forms)
  7. Lee County: eConnect User Guide (PDF, 6/2026)
  8. Lee County eConnect portal (Accela)
  9. Lee County: Record Date Information (PDF, 5/2021)
  10. Lee County Community Development: Document Search
  11. Lee County: Public Records Request Center
  12. Lee County: Residential Building Application and Permitting Guide (PDF, updated 12/23/2025)
  13. Lee County: Roof Application and Permitting Guide (PDF, Apr. 2026)
  14. Lee County: Exterior Openings (Windows/Shutters/Doors) Guide (PDF, Oct. 2025)
  15. Lee County: Mechanical Application and Permitting Guide (PDF, Dec. 2023)
  16. Lee County: Plumbing Application and Permitting Guide (PDF, updated 12/19/2023)
  17. Lee County: Residential Fence Guide (PDF, June 2026)
  18. Lee County: Residential Shed and Deck Guide (PDF, Oct. 2025)
  19. Lee County: Owner-Builder Disclosure Statement Form (PDF)
  20. Lee County: Building Permit Fee Schedule (effective Apr. 15, 2026)
  21. Lee County: Inspections (scheduling, IVR)
  22. Florida Statutes § 553.79 (2026), Permits; applications; issuance; inspections
  23. Florida Statutes § 489.103 (2026), Exemptions (owner-builder)
  24. Florida Statutes § 713.135 (2026), Notice of commencement and applicability of lien
  25. Florida DBPR: License search
  26. City of Bonita Springs: City Directory
  27. City of Bonita Springs: Public Record Requests
  28. City of Cape Coral: Permitting Services Division
  29. Village of Estero: Building Department and Permitting Services
  30. City of Fort Myers: Building, Permitting & Inspections
  31. Town of Fort Myers Beach: Building Services & Permitting Services
  32. Town of Fort Myers Beach: Building Services Applications & Forms
  33. City of Sanibel: Building