City or county?
A Fort Myers mailing address doesn't mean the City of Fort Myers issues your permit. Much of the waterfront with a Fort Myers address is in unincorporated Lee County, and Fort Myers Beach is a separate town with its own building department.
- Inside city limits: the City of Fort Myers building department.
- Unincorporated Lee County: Lee County's Department of Community Development. The contractor needs a state licence registered with Lee County or a Lee County certificate of competency.
Your property tax record (Lee County Property Appraiser) shows which jurisdiction you're in. See Lee County permits.
Riverfront and storm damage
Hurricane Ian in 2022 and the 2024 storms pushed surge up the Caloosahatchee and into the canals. Walls that were stabilized in a hurry may be due a proper inspection. Look for cracked or shifted caps, settling behind the wall and damaged docks and lifts. See repair or replace.
Costs
Southwest Florida contractors publish roughly $35–180 per foot for targeted repairs and $850–2,200 per foot for replacement, and statewide guides around $500–1,200 per foot. Docks on pilings run about $20–40 per sq ft nationally. See the seawall cost guide and docks and boat lifts.
Getting a quote
Use the form below. We'll pass your request to one licensed, insured contractor who works in Fort Myers. Free for homeowners, with no obligation.
This page summarizes published rules and prices for general information. It isn't engineering or legal advice, and codes change. Your contractor, engineer and building department have the final word for your property.
Common questions
My address says Fort Myers. Does the city issue my permit?
Not necessarily. Many homes with a Fort Myers mailing address are in unincorporated Lee County, where Lee County's Department of Community Development issues permits. Fort Myers Beach is a separate town. Your property tax record shows which jurisdiction you're in.