Fort Myers's Property Maintenance: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles property maintenance a little differently. In Fort Myers, Florida, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Fort Myers applies the same property-maintenance standards to vacant and occupied lots: grass, weeds, and underbrush may not exceed 12 inches in height on any property within the city, and accumulated trash, debris, or storm material must be removed. Especially after Hurricane Ian (2022), vacant or storm-damaged lots remain the owner's responsibility; the city may abate overgrowth or debris and lien the cost. Enforcement runs through Fort Myers Code Enforcement and the Special Magistrate under FS Chapter 162.

Key details: Weed / Grass Limit: 12 inches max height (citywide, vacant and occupied). Debris Storage: Prohibited (Chapter 50 Nuisances). Post-Ian Unsafe Structures: FBC Chapter 1 — repair or demolish. Mosquito-Breeding Water: Subject to Lee Mosquito Control (FS Ch. 388). Compliance Window: Typically 10-30 days from Notice of Violation.

Notice of Violation, typically 10-30 day cure. Special Magistrate fines up to $250/day first violation, $500/day repeat, $5,000 per irreparable violation (FS 162.09). City may abate and lien the property for contractor cost.

Trash Bin Storage

The City of Fort Myers Solid Waste Division (not Lee County) collects residential trash, recycling, and yard waste under Chapter 70 (Solid Waste) of the Code of Ordinances. Carts must be at the curb no later than 6:30 a.m. on the scheduled collection day and must be placed 5 feet from any obstruction so the automated truck arm can grip and lift them. Carts placed late, blocked by vehicles, overfilled, overweight, or too close to other objects will be skipped.

Key details: Code Chapter: Chapter 70 — Solid Waste. Hauler: City of Fort Myers Solid Waste Division (239-321-8050). Set-Out Deadline: No later than 6:30 a.m. on collection day. Clearance from Obstructions: At least 5 feet. Standard Carts: 96-gal trash + 65-gal recycling, weekly.

Late, blocked, overfilled, or overweight carts are skipped — no automatic fine. Persistent violations of Chapter 70 cited through Code Enforcement; Special Magistrate fines up to $250/day first, $500/day repeat (FS 162.09).

Fort Myers is more permissive than most cities when it comes to trash bin storage. That said, there are still limits.

Property Blight

Fort Myers requires property owners to keep all lots free of accumulated trash, junk, debris, abandoned appliances, and inoperative vehicles. Junked or inoperative vehicles may not be stored outside on public or private property unless completely enclosed in a building or part of a properly licensed business. Code Enforcement issues a notice of violation; non-compliance is referred to the Special Magistrate under FS Chapter 162, with fines up to $250/day for first violation and $500/day for repeats, and the city may abate the property and lien the cost.

Key details: Code Chapters: Ch. 50 (Nuisances), Ch. 70 (Solid Waste), Ch. 86 (Traffic & Vehicles). Junk Vehicles: Must be enclosed in building or removed. Vehicle Registration: Current plate + registration + operational + on improved surface. Weed / Grass Limit: 12 inches maximum height. Compliance Window: Typically 10-30 days after Notice of Violation.

Notice of Violation with compliance deadline (usually 10-30 days). Non-compliance referred to Special Magistrate under FS Chapter 162; fines up to $250/day first violation, $500/day repeat, $5,000 per irreparable violation (FS 162.09). City may abate and lien the property.

Garage Sale Rules

Under Chapter 66 (Sales), Article II (Garage Sales), as amended by Ordinance No. 3879, Fort Myers limits homeowners to no more than 2 garage / yard / moving sales per calendar year at the same property. Registration and city-issued signs are no longer required. Signs must comply with Chapter 126 (Signs): on-premise only, never in the public right-of-way. Violations are cited by Code Enforcement and adjudicated by the Special Magistrate under FS Chapter 162.

Key details: Code Section: Chapter 66, Article II (Garage Sales), Ord. 3879. Frequency Cap: 2 sales per calendar year per property. Permit Required: No (registration eliminated by Ord. 3879). City-Issued Signs: No longer provided (Ord. 3879). Sign Placement: On-premise only; not in right-of-way (LDC Ch. 126).

Notice of Violation; off-premise signs in right-of-way removed immediately. Special Magistrate fines up to $250/day first violation, $500/day repeat (FS 162.09).

The Bottom Line

Fort Myers's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Fort Myers is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Fort Myers can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.