Approved Materials: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers
How do approved materials rules compare between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers, FL?
Cape Coral and Fort Myers have similar restriction levels.
Cape Coral, FL
Lee County
Lee County requires fences and walls of conventional building materials: concrete block, brick, wood, decorative aluminum, iron or steel, chain link, or fence-grade composite. The eConnect permit lists material options including aluminum, chain link, concrete block, picket, plastic/vinyl, precast, split rail, wire, and wood.
View full Cape Coral rules →Fort Myers, FL
Lee County
Fort Myers Section 118.3.8 and Standard Detail F-3 allow wood, aluminum, vinyl, ornamental iron, masonry, and other decorative materials. Chain-link is allowed in side and rear yards of residential zones (and may extend to a seawall plus 3 feet on waterfront property) but is prohibited in residential front yards and on corner-lot sides adjacent to a street. No more than three fence types may be installed per property, and ornamental-iron decorative column widths are capped at 24 inches.
View full Fort Myers rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cape Coral | Fort Myers |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete/masonry | Block, brick, precast allowed | - |
| Metal | Aluminum, iron, steel, chain link | - |
| Wood/composite | Wood, split rail, fence composite | - |
| Vinyl | Plastic/vinyl fencing allowed | Allowed (F-3) |
| Permit material field | Selected in eConnect | - |
| Wood | - | Allowed (Standard Detail F-3) - 6 ft max residential |
| Aluminum | - | Allowed (F-3) |
| Chain Link | - | Allowed in residential side/rear yards (F-2); galvanized or vinyl-coated |
| Masonry / Ornamental Iron | - | Allowed; ornamental column width max 24 in |
| Waterfront Chain-Link | - | May extend to seawall + 3 ft |
| Max Fence Types per Lot | - | 3 (Planning Division Guidelines) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cape Coral FAQ
What fence materials does Lee County allow?
Conventional materials: concrete block, brick, wood, decorative aluminum, iron or steel, chain link, or composite products made specifically for fences. eConnect also lists picket, precast, split rail, plastic/vinyl, and wire.
Is vinyl fencing allowed in Lee County?
Yes, plastic/vinyl fencing is an approved material option in the eConnect permit. However, vinyl or plastic sheets/slats cannot be attached to a fence for privacy or required screening.
Fort Myers FAQ
What materials can I use for a fence in Fort Myers?
Wood, aluminum, vinyl, masonry, and ornamental iron are all listed on Standard Detail F-3 and allowed under Section 118.3.8. Chain link is allowed in residential side and rear yards (Standard Detail F-2) but not in front yards or on corner-lot sides adjacent to a street. Barbed wire, electric wire, and razor wire are prohibited in residential zones.
Is vinyl fencing allowed?
Yes. Vinyl is one of the four standard materials shown on Standard Detail F-3 (the others being wood, aluminum, and 'other'). It is subject to the 8-foot maximum post spacing, the 6-foot residential height cap in side and rear yards, and the 20-foot front-yard setback for solid fences.
Can I mix several different fence styles on my property?
Yes, up to three. The Planning Division Guidelines limit residential properties to a maximum of three fence types - so you could combine, for example, ornamental iron in the front yard, wood privacy in the side yard, and chain link in the rear yard.
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