Lee County, FL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Any construction, alteration, repair, or accessory structure built in unincorporated Lee County needs a building permit unless it falls within a specific carve-out in Section 6-117 of the Land Development Code, which amends Florida Building Code Section 105.2's list of work exempt from permit. Within any 12-month period, a single dwelling unit can replace windows, doors or garage doors covering less than 25 percent of the glazed area, replace a water heater, swap plumbing or electric fixtures, install low-voltage systems such as phone, data, security or landscape lighting wiring, repair up to 25 percent of the roof, or patch up to 100 square feet of drywall without a fire-rated separation, all without a permit, so long as the combined value of exempt work does not exceed $500.00.

Homeowners can also add a car cover under 200 square feet and 10 feet tall, or a garden trellis under 200 square feet and 12 feet tall, without a permit, though accessory-structure setbacks still apply. Once a permit is required and issued, Section 6-116 makes it valid for only 180 days from issuance or from the last passed inspection; missing that window voids the permit and forces a new application, though the Building Official can grant one 90-day extension if the applicant shows a good-faith effort and files the request at least seven days before expiration.

Permit fees are set in the county's fee schedule adopted under Section 6-45, and Section 6-111 gives the Building Official authority to suspend or revoke any permit issued in error, on inaccurate information, or where the work violates the Florida Building Code or another county ordinance.