Lee County, FL Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit threshold
- Over 25 inches in height
- Code section
- LDC section 34-1742(a)
- Exempt fences
- Agricultural; government conservation
- Permit lapses
- No passed inspection within six months
- Maximum fine
- $500 per offense, 60 days
Summary
Land Development Code section 34-1742(a) requires a building permit for any fence or wall over 25 inches in height, except fences for bona fide agricultural uses or for conservation by Lee County, the State or other governmental entities.
Except for fences used for bona fide agricultural uses or purposes of conservation by Lee County, the State or other governmental entities, all fences and walls that are over 25 inches in height must comply with established building permit procedures.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7 | Land Development Code: Supplement 3 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
The threshold is height, not material: anything over 25 inches must comply with established building permit procedures. Permit fees are set by the Board of County Commissioners and published in the Lee County Administrative Code. Once a permit is issued, section 6-111 requires the first inspection to be successfully completed within six months or the permit is deemed invalid, with each later inspection due within six months of the last passed one. The code also fixes what you may build: fences must be uniform in material, design and color, present the finished side to the adjoining lot, and use conventional materials, with tires, mufflers and hubcaps prohibited.
Violations & Fines
An unpermitted fence over 25 inches is a Land Development Code violation. Section 1-5 sets a fine not exceeding $500 per offense, up to 60 days in the county jail, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a fence in unincorporated Lee County?
How long does a Lee County fence permit stay valid?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lee County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Lee County to another location·View the Florida fence regulations overview
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