Permit Requirements: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers
How do permit requirements rules compare between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers, FL?
Cape Coral has fewer restrictions than Fort Myers.
Cape Coral, FL
Lee County
LDC section 34-1742 requires a Lee County building permit for any fence or wall over 25 inches tall (bona fide agricultural and government conservation fences are exempt). Permits are applied for through the county's eConnect system with a site plan showing property lines and setbacks.
View full Cape Coral rules →Fort Myers, FL
Lee County
A fence permit is required for any new fence in Fort Myers and is issued by the Community Development Department, Building, Permitting & Inspections Division at 1825 Hendry Street, Suite 101. Applicants must submit a standard fence site plan (Standard Detail F-1) showing the fence location, property lines, gates, and adjacent rights-of-way, plus a fence detail (F-2 for chain link, F-3 for all others) certifying compliance with the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code, Section 1609 (Wind Loads).
View full Fort Myers rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cape Coral | Fort Myers |
|---|---|---|
| Permit threshold | Fences over 25 inches | - |
| Code section | LDC 34-1742(a) | - |
| Apply via | eConnect (leegov.com) | - |
| Over 6 ft (non-chainlink) | Sealed engineer plans | - |
| Permit expires | No inspection in 180 days | - |
| Permit Required | - | Yes - all new fences (Sec. 118.3.8) |
| Issuing Office | - | Building, Permitting & Inspections, 1825 Hendry St., Suite 101 |
| Phone | - | (239) 321-7925 |
| - | permits@fortmyers.gov | |
| Online Portal | - | fortmyers.gov/1650/Electronic-Permits |
| Wind-Load Code | - | 8th Edition (2023) FBC, Section 1609 |
| Post Spacing | - | Chain-link 10 ft max; other materials 8 ft max |
| Post Depth | - | 2 ft with concrete OR 3 ft in earth without concrete |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cape Coral FAQ
Do I need a permit for a fence in unincorporated Lee County?
Yes, for any fence or wall over 25 inches tall, per LDC 34-1742. Apply through Lee County's eConnect permitting system with a site plan; bona fide agricultural fences are exempt outside flood zones.
Where do I apply for a Lee County fence permit?
Through Lee County Building and Permitting Services at 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, or online via eConnect at leegov.com. Contractors are required to use eConnect.
Fort Myers FAQ
Do I need a permit to install a fence in Fort Myers?
Yes. The City of Fort Myers requires a fence permit for any new fence, issued by Building, Permitting & Inspections at 1825 Hendry Street, Suite 101. You must submit a site plan and a fence detail certifying compliance with the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code Section 1609 (Wind Loads).
How deep do my fence posts have to be?
Per the Fort Myers Standard Fence Detail, posts must be set 2 feet in concrete or, alternatively, 3 feet in the earth with no concrete. Maximum post spacing is 10 feet for chain link (F-2) and 8 feet for wood, vinyl, aluminum, and other materials (F-3).
Do I need a separate permit for a pool fence?
Yes. The Pool/Spa/Fountain Checklist lists 'Fences and pool enclosures' as items requiring separate permits, and the wind-load statement on the standard fence detail explicitly states it is 'NOT APPLICABLE TO POOL FENCES' - pool barriers are reviewed under FBC 454.2.17 / R4501.17 and Florida Statute 515.
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