Fort Myers, FL Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Vacant lots in Fort Myers are subject to the same property-maintenance code as occupied lots. The two principal provisions are: (1) Lawns, grass, weeds, and underbrush must be kept cut to no more than 12 inches in height on all property within the city — this applies to every lot regardless of whether a structure is present; and (2) any material that could be considered a nuisance or threat to public health and safety may not accumulate on the lot (Chapter 50 Nuisances and related code). After Hurricane Ian in September 2022, debris management on vacant and storm-damaged lots became a major Fort Myers code-enforcement focus: owners are responsible for removing post-storm vegetative debris, demolition debris, abandoned recreational vehicles or boats, and damaged structures on their lots within the timeframes set by Notices of Violation. The city established post-Ian Unsafe Structure procedures under the Florida Building Code (FBC) Chapter 1, allowing the Building Official to declare a structure unsafe and require repair or demolition. The standard code enforcement process applies: Code Enforcement (1825 Hendry St., Suite 101; 239-321-7940) issues a Notice of Violation with a compliance deadline (typically 10-30 days); non-compliance is referred to the Special Magistrate under FS Chapter 162 with fines up to $250/day for a first violation and $500/day for a repeat (FS 162.09); the city may abate (city contractor mows, removes debris, demolishes the unsafe structure) and lien the property for the full cost. Lee Mosquito Control District separately addresses standing water on vacant lots that breeds mosquitoes — owners may be required to drain pools, ditches, or containers under FS Chapter 388 (Mosquito Control). The Coleman Act (FS 705.103) governs abandoned vehicles on the lot.