Permitting Procedure for  Additions, Alterations, Sheds, Utility Buildings, Gazebos, Pole-Barns & Detached Garages

Click here for a printable version of the Residential Permit Application Requirements

1. APPLICATION FOR PERMIT
The application will not be accepted unless all paper work is complete. Required at time of application.

a. Property owners name.
b. Strap number (17 digit # found on your tax bill or available from the Lee County Property Appraiser's Office at 2480 Thompson St. 239-533-6150)
c. Job site address and directions to the job.
d. Type of roof, i.e. shingle, tile, metal or built-up.
e. Electrical amps.
f. Air conditioning, SEER rating, KW's and Tonnage.
g. If property is located on a county maintained road, you will need a driveway permit.
h. Contractor's license number, address, Contact person, TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBER.
i. 2 Sets of self-addressed mailing labels, if a fax number is not available.
 

2. PLOT/SITE PLAN
   Three (3) copies of a plot/site plan drawn to scale (1/8" = 1' minimum). The scale and north arrow must be indicated. The following items must be on your plot/site plan:
1. All four lot corners, lot lines and dimensions;
2. Location and name of streets or drives bordering the lot;
3. If there is a water body within 25 feet of your project, indicate the mean high tide line or the edge of water and label the type of water body (for example: lake, creek, canal, river, Gulf).
4. The size of the existing and proposed building(s); the location of driveways; and the location of all easements on the lot.
5. Setbacks of the buildings (and any proposed additions thereto) from the four lot lines and other existing structures. Setbacks must be taken from the closest point of the building to the closest point of the property line.
6. The plans must show the roof line as well as the foundation. Roof lines may not encroach into or over easements.
    
3. COASTAL ZONE
1. If the property is located within a coastal zone area, a certified sealed survey indicating both Coastal Construction Zone lines, the Flood Zone requirement for the zone, and existing elevation of grade must be submitted with the application.
2. If the property is located on a BARRIER ISLAND, i.e. FT MYERS BEACH, CAPTIVA, UPPER CAPTIVA, BOCA GRANDE, BONITA GULF FRONT property, etc., the construction drawings must be sealed by a registered Florida architect or engineer and the certified survey must address the COASTAL CONSTRUCTION ZONE in addition to flood zone.
3. A certified elevation certificate will be required indicating the NGVD elevation prior to tie beam inspection on CBS structures or framing inspection on wood structures.

• NOTE: The form is to be completed by your surveyor and returned to the Inspection Department with the Building Permit number on it.

4. MASTERED BUILDINGS
If you are planning on purchasing a garage, gazebo, pole barn, shed or utility building from a local distributor, please check with them to see what brands and model numbers are mastered with Lee County Development Services. If the particular model that you want to buy is not mastered with Lee County Development Services, the plans will have to be sealed. (See #5 Construction Details)

5. CONSTRUCTION DETAIL (BLUEPRINTS)
Plans that are prepared by a Florida registered architect or engineer shall be prepared in compliance with required wind loads and must contain a statement on the plan that the building/structure has been designed according to the 2004 Florida Building Code with the 2006 amendments. The following information related to wind loads shall be shown on the construction drawings:

1. Basic wind speed, mph, (m/s).
2. Wind importance factor (l) and building category.
3. Wind exposure - if more than one wind exposure is used, the wind exposure and applicable wind direction shall be indicated.
4. The applicable internal pressure coefficient.
5. Components and Cladding. The design wind pressures in terms of psf (kN/m2), to be used for the design of exterior component and cladding materials not specifically designed by the registered design professional.

If the construction is located in a coastal area specific to the limitations under The Lee County Land Development Code, Chapter 14, Article II, Division 2, Sea Turtles; also Chapter 6, Article III Coastal Construction Code, and Article IV Flood Hazard Reduction, the architect or engineer shall provide a statement of compliance with those applicable code sections

Plans should be submitted on standardized sheets drawn to scale (1/8" or 3/32" = 1' is acceptable). Three (3) sets of construction drawings must be submitted. The plans must bear the following specific information:
1) Elevation for front, rear, right and left sides.
2) Foundation plans.
3) Floor plans. If an addition or enclosure, floor plans must identify rooms adjacent to the addition/enclosure as well as means of ingress/egress.
4) Lateral breakdown (typical wall section from roofing through to foundation and NGVD Elevation.
5) Duplex must have a tenant separation wall of UL Design or equal.
6) Location of electric and plumbing.
7) Conventional roof framing layout. If trusses, include engineered truss layout from truss manufacturer.
8) If living area, three sets of 2004 energy calculations (revised) will be required.
9) Manufacturers cut sheets for impact resistant windows, doors, garage doors and shutters Including installation & design standards, any testing or compliance information available. IF MASTERED, PROVIDE SHEETS DETAILING THE MASTER #, MANUFACTURER NAME AND SERIES # OF EACH WINDOW, EXTERIOR DOOR, GARAGE DOORS AND SHUTTERS.
10) If construction requires sprinklers, plans must show compliance with State of Florida Administrative Code 61G15-32



6. SEPTIC (SFR, DUPLEX, ADDITIONS, SANITARY FACILITIES)
If construction is located on SEPTIC SYSTEM, applicant must apply for his Septic Permit at the Health Department prior to the submittal of the building permit. A copy of the paid receipt is required at submittal of building permit. (Applications are available at Development Services) If Septic is existing, you will need a letter from the Health Dept. stating it will be sufficient for size of dwelling at the time of submittal. (2295 Victoria Ave. Ft Myers, Fl. 33901 (239-690-2100)
 
7. WELL (SFR & DUPLEX ONLY)
If property requires a well, a WELL affidavit must be signed at time of application of building permit. The Well permit must be obtained and inspection finaled before Certificate of Occupancy. If the well is existing, a letter from Natural Resources will be required at time of application stating compliance. (1500 Monroe St. 239-533-8114)
 
8. ENERGY CALCULATIONS (SFR, DUPLEX AND/OR ALL LIVING AREA ADDITIONS)
Three (3) copies of the 2004 energy calculations (revised) and one (1) cover sheet (copy of 1st page of energy calcs) must be submitted with your application.
 
9. OWNER-BUILDER DECLARATION OF SELF USE (revised) (on back of application)

An owner-builder must sign a declaration of self-use. He/She must be able to do all the work himself or hire licensed contractors.
 
10. NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT (if construction value is $2500 or more)
A Notice of Commencement must be recorded with the Lee County Clerk of Courts prior to issuance of the building permit. A copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement must be supplied at the time of pick-up of your building permit. (Notice of Commencement phone #239-335-2482)
 
11. BUILDING ADDENDUM (if owner is not the builder).
Addendum on back of application must be completed.
 

1. WHO CAN PICK UP THE BUILDING PERMIT?

The application must be signed by the Contractor, an authorized agent of the contractor of the property owner in the presence of the Building Official or designee. Owner-builders must personally appear and sign for their permits. The only exception to this is with a legal, recorded, Power of Attorney.

NOTE: Contractors must be licensed and registered with Lee County Contractors Licensing.

2. TRACKING YOUR APPLICATION

Applicants can call 533-8997 with their case (receipt #) to track the progress of their application.

3. REVIEW PROCESS TIME

The review process time will vary with the department's workload (normal permitting time is anticipated to be 7 working days.)

4. REJECTED PLANS

Plans will be rejected if all required paper work is not complete. Customer will be notified in writing or by fax. The customer will come back to the office to pick-up the rejected plans.

5. RE-SUBMITTING REJECTED PLANS

Once the plans have been corrected, re-submittal of rejected plans must be made at the Information Desk and will be processed through the normal procedure time.

6. HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN MY PERMIT IS READY?

Applicants will be notified by phone when the permit is approved. At that time you will be given the required fees due and any other paperwork we may need.

7. CHANGES TO THE APPROVED PLANS

Any filed changes of outlets or fixtures, non-structural or structural changes must be submitted to the Information Desk for processing. If the original plans were sealed by an architect or engineer, the revisions must also be sealed. These must be submitted in plan form of three (3) copies and approved, prior to commencement of work.

8. POSTING THE PERMIT

Permits must be posted at eye-level, visible from the road and protected from the weather. There must also be a set of the approved plans on the job at time of inspections.

9.  INSPECTIONS & RE-INSPECTION FEES

You must call for inspections. Please call 533-8997 to schedule a inspection.

When an inspection has failed, a fee will be charged for all recalls and turn-downs. Fees are $25.00 per re-inspection.

10. ADDITIONAL PERMITS (if required)

Plumbing, Electrical, Air Conditioning, Roofing, Lawn Sprinkler system, Pools (including above-ground), Spas, Enclosures, Fences, Solar, Fire Sprinklers or Alarm Systems.

The STRAP NUMBER will be 17 digits and is used to identify the land although the owners may change. The strap number is the upper left hand of your tax bill or you can obtain it from the Property Appraisers by calling their office at 239-533-6150.

The following items must be on your plot plan:

1. Plot plan must be drawn to scale (1/8" = 1', 1" = 10', 1" = 20', 1" = 30', 1" = 60') or if the lot is square or rectangular the dimensions may add up to the lot width and depth. Label the location of streets bordering your property.

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