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PermitRoadmap

Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Fort Myers?

Permit required

Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Fort Myers is no exception.

Florida has no statewide small-shed exemption. The widely repeated rule that a shed under 120 square feet needs no permit comes from the model International Codes, and Florida did not adopt it: section 105.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building exempts only specified gas, mechanical and plumbing work, with no category exempting detached accessory structures. Where a size threshold exists it is a local ordinance, and it genuinely differs, so ask your building department for the line that applies at your address. Any shed with electricity, plumbing or a permanent foundation needs a permit regardless of size, and zoning setbacks, flood zone rules and wind anchoring apply even when no building permit is required.

Get the checklist for your shed or accessory structure in Fort Myers. A free check first, then a free printable Permit Prep Pack.

Florida and local notes for Fort Myers

Lee County's own permitting office is the Lee County Community Development Department - Building & Permitting Services, reachable on (239) 533-8329 at https://www.leegov.com/dcd. Its online permit portal is https://aca-prod.accela.com/LEECO/Cap/CapHome.aspx?module=Permitting. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, and many smaller Florida municipalities do not, this is the office that will handle the job. Ask specifically about the size that triggers a permit and about setbacks, since those are set locally and are the two things people most often get wrong on a shed. Fort Myers' Do I Need Permits? list marks residential sheds as requiring a permit, and the city publishes a Shed / Utility Structure checklist. Under Code Section 118.3.4, an accessory structure under 200 square feet in a residential district may use a 5-foot interior side and rear setback. Accessory structures may not sit in the front setback or front half of the lot, in an easement, or in a waterfront setback. In a residential district an accessory structure may not exceed 30 percent of the gross floor area of the principal structure, and it is allowed only when a principal use exists (Section 118.3.4.A.1).

Documents you may need

  • Permit applicationLikely required
  • Site plan showing setbacksLikely required
  • Structure dimensions or manufacturer drawingsSometimes required
  • Anchoring or tie-down detailsSometimes required
  • Permit or zoning applicationLikely required
  • Site plan showing setbacks and distance to lot linesLikely required
  • Anchoring or tie-down details for wind loadSometimes required
  • Building permit application through the EnerGov Customer Self Service portalLikely required
  • DBPR-approved, signed and sealed shed drawings, or sealed plans by a Florida design professionalLikely required
  • Signed and sealed tie-down specifications, if not in the approved shed drawingsSometimes required
  • Dimensioned site plan showing setbacks (a Lee County Property Appraiser aerial may suffice)Likely required
  • Current contractor registration with the City of Fort MyersLikely required
  • Certified, recorded Notice of Commencement for jobs over $5,000Sometimes required
  • Owner-Builder Disclosure Statement, signed in person by the owner, if the owner is acting as the contractorSometimes required

Possible inspections

  • Foundation or slab inspection
  • Framing and anchoring inspection
  • Final inspection
  • Foundation and tie-down inspection

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Fort Myers?
Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Fort Myers is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
Who issues the permit in Fort Myers?
The local building department for Fort Myers handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.

PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.