Shed Permit Requirements in Lee County, FL

AHJ resolution: Lee County DCD is the building permit authority for UNINCORPORATED Lee County, which includes the dominant residential portion of ZIP 33912 (Gateway / Six Mile Cypress / Daniels Parkway corridor). Confirmed verbatim on the official leegov.com/dcd page: 'Lee County Community Development is responsible for overseeing planning, zoning, development services, permitting, plan review, inspections, & code enforcement for unincorporated areas of Lee County' and 'Please contact the incorporated areas of Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach or Sanibel for similar services within those jurisdictions.' The incorporated municipalities of Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel run their own permitting departments and are excluded from county jurisdiction. Phone 239-533-8585, fax 239-485-8344, office 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, hours 9am-4pm Mon-Fri — all taken directly from the official .gov DCD contacts block. Other official numbers: automated inspection scheduling and flood questions 239-533-8948 (flood), general permitting 239-533-8585. Online permitting via the eConnect (Accela) portal. Property-level jurisdiction (city vs. county) and flood zone should be verified per parcel via LeeGIS Data Explorer (https://gisexplorer.leegov.com/) or the Lee County Property Appraiser; the City of Fort Myers in-limits test is whether the parcel number contains a 'P'. Hazards: hurricane high-wind design, wind-borne-debris (opening protection) requirements, and FEMA flood-zone / floodplain-management compliance are central to SW Florida residential permitting; many 33912 parcels are in flood zones along Six Mile Cypress Slough.

By Joey, Founder · Last verified May 15, 2026 · How we research →

Code: 2021 Verified: 2026-05-15 1 local rules

When you don’t need a Shed permit in Lee County

Exempt·Rule 1

Sheds and outbuildings 200 sq ft or less are typically exempt from a building permit but still must meet zoning setbacks (commonly 3 to 5 feet from property line) and lot-coverage limits. Sheds over 200 sq ft or with utilities require a permit. Some HOAs ban sheds outright. To confirm requirements for your specific project in Lee County, FL, contact Lee County Department of Community Development (Building & Permitting Services) at (239) 533-8585. Apply online: https://aca-prod.accela.com/LEECO/Cap/CapHome.aspx?module=Permitting&TabName=Home.

SourceLee County Department of Community Development (Building & Permitting Services) — phone (239) 533-8585 · view source

Shed Permit Costs: Lee County vs. Nearby

CityEstimated Fee
Lee County N/A
Jacksonville $80 – $300
Miami $65 – $650
Tampa $45 – $450

Fees shown are estimates based on local building code data. Actual fees may vary based on project scope and valuation. See all Lee County permit costs →

Zoning Considerations

Zoning

Sheds may be subject to zoning setback requirements and lot coverage limits. Placement near property lines or in front yards may require zoning approval.

Estimated Project Timeline in Lee County

Here's a typical timeline for a shed project in Lee County, FL:

Week 1
Get quotes & finalize design
Contact licensed contractors, get 3+ quotes, finalize project scope and drawings.
Week 2
Submit permit application
Your contractor submits the application to Lee County's building department, apply online here.
Week 3-4
Plan review & approval
Processing time varies, contact Lee County's building department for current turnaround times.
Week 5+
Construction & inspections
Post the permit card on site. Work begins. Schedule inspections at required stages (varies by project). Final inspection required before closing the permit.

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Building Department Contact

NameLee County Department of Community Development (Building & Permitting Services)
Address1500 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
HoursMon-Fri 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Lee County's building department for current Shed permit fee information. Fees typically vary based on project scope and valuation.

It depends on the specifics of your project. Some smaller Shed projects may be exempt from permit requirements, while larger ones typically require a permit. Use our free lookup tool to check your specific situation.

Working without a required permit in Lee County can result in fines, stop-work orders, being required to remove completed work, and complications when selling your home. It's always best to check first.

Contact Lee County's building department for current processing times. Timelines vary based on project complexity and whether plan review is required.

Learn More About Shed Permits

Read our complete guide covering permit requirements, costs, common exemptions, and the application process.

Read Shed Guide →

Estimate your permit fees →

Disclaimer: This information was last verified on 2026-05-15. Building permit requirements may change. Zoning requirements (setbacks, lot coverage, height limits) are separate and vary by location. Always confirm with your local building and planning departments before starting your project. PermitMint provides general guidance, not legal advice.