Tiny Homes: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers
How do tiny homes rules compare between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers, FL?
Cape Coral has fewer restrictions than Fort Myers.
Cape Coral, FL
Lee County
Lee County has no separate tiny-home category. A permanent tiny home on a foundation is treated as a single-family dwelling or, if secondary to a main house, as an accessory dwelling unit under LDC Sec. 34-1177, subject to the 60-percent living-area cap and Florida Building Code.
View full Cape Coral rules →Fort Myers, FL
Lee County
Tiny homes on a permanent foundation in Fort Myers are treated as either a single-family dwelling or an accessory guest house under LDC § 118.3.11. They must meet the Florida Building Code (including FBC Appendix Q for dwellings 400 sq ft or less) and the zone's lot size and setback standards. RS-7 (the smallest single-family zone) requires 5,000 sq ft min lot, which precludes ultra-small lot tiny homes. Tiny homes on wheels (RV class) cannot be used as a primary residence in residential zones.
View full Fort Myers rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cape Coral | Fort Myers |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated rule | No tiny-home category | - |
| On foundation | Treated as single-family or ADU | - |
| As second unit | One ADU per home, 60% cap | - |
| On wheels | RV rules / RV park districts | - |
| Code | Florida Building Code applies | - |
| Building Code | - | Florida Building Code + FBC Appendix Q (≤400 sq ft dwellings) |
| As Principal Dwelling | - | Must meet zone's min lot/setback (RS-7: 5,000 sq ft / 50 ft width) |
| As Accessory Guest House | - | LDC § 118.3.11 (capped at 30% of principal) |
| Tiny Home on Wheels (RV) | - | Cannot be used as residence in residential zones |
| Wind Zone Requirement | - | 170 mph (Lee County FBC) |
| Required Connections | - | City water & sewer (permanent foundation) |
| Permit Required | - | Florida Building Permit + zoning review |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cape Coral FAQ
Are tiny homes legal in unincorporated Lee County?
A permanent tiny house on a foundation is allowed as a single-family dwelling or, as a second unit, as an accessory dwelling unit under Sec. 34-1177. There is no separate tiny-home ordinance.
Can I live in a tiny home on wheels on my lot?
Generally no. A tiny home on wheels is a recreational vehicle and is limited to RV park districts and RV placement rules, not standard residential lots.
Fort Myers FAQ
Can I live in a tiny home in Fort Myers?
Yes — if it's a site-built or HUD-certified tiny home on a permanent foundation that meets the Florida Building Code (including FBC Appendix Q for dwellings 400 sq ft or less). It must be either the principal single-family dwelling on a lot meeting the zone's minimum lot size and setbacks (RS-7 requires 5,000 sq ft / 50 ft width), or an accessory guest house under LDC § 118.3.11 (capped at 30% of the principal structure's floor area). All permanent structures must be engineered for Lee County's 170 mph hurricane wind zone.
Can I park a tiny home on wheels and live in it on my Fort Myers lot?
No. Tiny homes classified as RVs, park model RVs, or trailers cannot be used as a primary or accessory dwelling in Fort Myers residential zones. They may be stored on private property subject to the city's RV-storage rules but cannot legally be occupied as a residence. A permanently affixed, code-compliant tiny home on a foundation is the only legal year-round option.
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