CLICK HERE to apply for a building permit

The Building Services Division is currently receiving a high volume of permit applications and questions and our team is working diligently to help everyone as quickly as possible.  To help us serve you and all customers more effectively, we are requesting that all those with questions first review the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Fee Moratorium on Permit/Plan review fees relating to Hurricane Ian Damage Only ends on January 15, 2023. 

READ THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If your question is not answered after reading the FAQs, Building Services staff can be contacted via email at buildingpermits@fmbgov.com, via telephone at 239-765-0202, or in-person at the temporary Town Hall complex at 2545 Estero Boulevard just south of the damaged Town Hall. We are happy to answer any further questions you may have. 

The hours for the Building Services Department have been temporarily expanded to 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. This expansion is expected to last until March 29, 2023.

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FMB Registered Contractor list 

State of Florida's registered contractors list

All contractors registered with the Town MUST be a licensed contractor through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Contractors licensed through the Lee County Contractor Licensing Board will not be allowed to register with the Town or apply for building permits.  Contractor registration form.

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Phase 1 Post-hurricane permitting information (Oct. 11, 2022 through Feb. 16, 2023)

The structures located in the Town of Fort Myers Beach have been severely impacted by Hurricane Ian with widespread visible damage to one or more structural and electrical components. Due to the severity of the storm and with the intent of protecting against further loss of life, it is the position of the Town of Fort Myers Beach that all structures are currently considered unsafe until a certification of safety can be completed for the structure and electrical systems.

Prior to occupying a structure or proceeding with building, renovating, or adding to a structure, a structural inspection and an electrical inspection must be completed.

The structural inspection must be performed by a professional engineer with structural experience licensed in the State of Florida. Upon completing the inspection, the structural engineer must offer their findings and expert opinion in the form of a post-inspection report. This report must be signed, sealed, and dated by the structural engineer and must certify the following:

• The integrity of the structure has been maintained
• The structure is currently in a condition to securely withstand the weight of its anticipated loads
• The structure will continue to perform safely as intended for the foreseeable future.

The electrical inspection must be performed by either an electrical engineer licensed in the State of Florida or a Florida-licensed electrical contractor. The report must certify that in the expert opinion of the Florida-licensed electrical professional, the electrical system is safe to reconnect to electrical service.

 Note that it is the property owners’ responsibility to arrange for these inspections with the licensed professionals of their choice and to ensure that the documents are submitted to the Town of Fort Myers Beach. A list of contractors registered with the Town of Fort Myers Beach is available at the Town website at http://www.fmbgov.com. However, the property owner may also select a professional that is not currently registered with the Town but is licensed in the State of Florida. The post-inspection reports must be emailed to the Town of Fort Myers Beach Building Services Division at buildingpermits@fmbgov.com. After submittal and approval of the documents, the structure may be legally occupied.

 After submitting the two inspection reports and applying for a building permit, the contractors and design professionals associated with the permit must be registered with the Town of Fort Myers Beach. Note that any person engaging in contracting services in the State of Florida must be currently registered, certified, or possess a certificate of authority through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Under section 489.127 Florida Statutes, anyone providing unlicensed contracting services during a state of emergency commits a felony of the third degree. 

Phase 2 Post-hurricane permitting Information (Effective Feb. 16, 2023)

Note that the following work does not require a building permit:

• Emergency temporary application of tarps to structures to reduce risk of further water intrusion. Removal and/or replacement of roofing requires a permit.
• Removal of washed-up debris on a property. Partial or full demolition of a structure initially located on the property requires a demolition permit.
• Asphalt roof shingle replacement of less than 1 square of shingles (10ft x 10ft area, or less), provided the secondary water barrier and/or sheathing does not require repair. Otherwise, a permit is required.
• Repair of minor water leaks that do not involve the reduction or extension of structural, mechanical, plumbing, or electrical systems. Alteration to the water supply lines or DWV systems requires a permit.
• When a permit is required, the applicant is responsible to acquire an issued permit prior to beginning construction.

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Due to structures throughout the Town of Fort Myers Beach being located in the special flood hazard area, the FEMA “50% Rule” for substantial improvement or substantial damage will continue to be enforced during plan review. Please consult with your design professional to determine whether this rule will impact the design of your construction project.   

Permit applicants are required to apply online via the IWorQ online permitting system.

Owner Builders may apply online and are temporarily not required to come in person to sign the required documents. Instead, they may upload their notarized and signed documents through IWorQ.   

These procedures are designed to facilitate permitting during this catastrophic event. These procedures may be subject to change, without notice, depending on changing circumstances during recovery.

Inspections Information

It remains the responsibility of the Contractor, or Owner-Builder if applicable, to request the required inspections based on the approved scope of work, prior to proceeding to the next step of construction. Inspections must be scheduled via the IWorQ online permitting system.  The use of an approved Private Provider Inspection firm remains an option for permit applicants to perform the necessary inspections and provide inspection reports to the Town of Fort Myers Building Division.