Lee County update for Pine Islanders needing permitting services

03/29/2023

Fort Myers, FL, March 29, 2023 – Due to a decline in demand for permitting services on Wednesdays at the Pine Island Public Library, the Lee County Department of Community Development (DCD) will streamline its operations to its main office in downtown Fort Myers, but the county will begin a new, temporary weekly service next week for islanders who need transportation to downtown.

DCD staff will conclude the final day at the library at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 29. The service has been offered on Wednesdays since Jan. 4 to assist those who are rebuilding and repairing their homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which made landfall Sept. 28, 2022. DCD has assisted more than 490 residents who were obtaining permits for repairs to existing buildings.

Residents with active permits who need to check the status can now use online services, send DCD an email or call DCD staff.

Residents acting as their own contractor who still need to submit permit applications now will need to visit the downtown Fort Myers permitting office, as will residents seeking a full demolition or complete replacement of a structure. The address is 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers.

For those islanders who do not have transportation, the county is setting up a temporary, weekly LeeTran service beginning Thursday, April 6. Here’s how it will work:

  • Permit applicants must schedule a Thursday appointment online through the Community Development website. The appointment must be between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Applicants must then request transportation by calling LeeTran at 239-533-8726 at least 24-hours in advance of their scheduled Thursday appointment.
  • The LeeTran shuttle will leave from the Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, with service beginning at 9 a.m. The shuttle service will run every 90 minutes for residents with appointments to and from the DCD permitting office.
  • Parking at the library and the shuttle roundtrip ride are free.
  • LeeTran will continue the shuttle service until the last scheduled customer is returned.
  • Continuation of the service will be contingent on demand.

Applicants for rebuilding and repairing need only a description of the work and their address, and staff will walk them through the process, which might include obtaining additional documents. For example, engineered plans or Florida Product Approvals may be necessary to issue permits. Hired contractors are asked to continue to use the existing electronic permitting process. 

DCD information can be found at www.leegov.com/dcd or by calling 239-533-8585. Email eConnect@leegov.com.

Information and resources related to Lee County’s Hurricane Ian response can be found at www.leegov.com/storm and https://ianprogress.leegov.com/

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