Lee County to open temporary permitting office at Pine Island Public Library on Oct. 16
Office will help residents to obtain permits for repairs to Hurricane Helene- and Hurricane Milton-damaged buildings
The Lee County Department of Community Development will open a temporary, remote permit office at the Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 16, to allow residents to obtain permits for repairs to existing buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
The remote location means staff will be readily accessible to help island residents navigate the permit process, especially those residents without internet service.
The remote permit office will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays through the end of October. Hours at the remote permit office will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Note: It will not be open on Tuesday this week, because it does not start until Wednesday, Oct. 16.)
Residents acting as their own contractor can submit permit applications, have them reviewed and – in some cases – issued from the remote office. The applicants need only a description of the work and their address, and staff will walk them through the process.
Hired contractors are asked to continue to use the existing electronic permitting process. Residents seeking a full demolition or complete replacement of a structure still need to visit the main Department of Community Development permitting office at 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers.
Lee County Government is reminding residents in unincorporated areas to pull permits for work on their homes to repair storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Any unincorporated Lee County residents or businesses within the Special Flood Hazard Area with any damage to their homes or businesses, including water intrusion, must obtain a permit for all repairs. Email FIRMinfo@leegov.com for assistance with permit requirements and resources, and be sure to include the following information:
• Contact information
• Property address
• Type of damage
• Height of the water that entered the home
Residents also can find more information at www.leegov.com/dcd/BldPermitServ/disaster-recovery or by calling 239-533-8948.
The county may add additional temporary, remote permitting office locations elsewhere in unincorporated Lee County as needed.
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