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PermitRoadmap

Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated Lee County?

Permit required

Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Unincorporated Lee County 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 Unincorporated Lee County. A free check first, then a free printable Permit Prep Pack.

Local detail for Unincorporated Lee County: Serves all unincorporated areas of Lee County. Permits submitted online via Accela Citizen Access.

Florida and local notes for Unincorporated Lee County

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. Lee County's Residential Shed and Deck guide states that a Residential Accessory Structure permit is required for sheds. Sec. 6-117 exempts only car covers and garden trellises under 200 square feet, not sheds. Before buying a pre-fabricated shed, the county advises confirming it is State of Florida approved and rated for the wind speed and exposure of your lot. The county also publishes free Master Shed plans. Under LDC Sec. 34-1174, a residential accessory structure must be at least 5 feet from the rear line and meet the district side setback or 10 feet, whichever is less. It may not sit closer to the street than the house, except in certain districts where 100 feet is kept, and may not be in a utility or other easement. Property over 5 acres, over 2 acres on Pine Island, or on any barrier island also needs a vegetation removal permit.

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
  • Residential Accessory Structure (New, Addition or Remodel) application in eConnect, type Shed (Conventional Construction) or Shed (Pre-manufactured)Likely required
  • Site plan to scale showing setbacks from all property lines, easements, and water bodies within 25 feetLikely required
  • Signed and sealed plans, or DCA/DBPR-approved plans with the Plan Tracking number plus sealed tie-down details, or a Lee County Master Shed plan (RESMSTR2024-00003)Likely required
  • No-Rise Certification signed and sealed by a Florida engineer, for land-disturbing work in a regulatory floodwaySometimes required
  • Recorded Notice of Commencement for projects over $5,000Sometimes required
  • Owner-Builder Disclosure Statement, if the owner is acting as the contractorSometimes required

Possible inspections

  • Foundation or slab inspection
  • Framing and anchoring inspection
  • Final inspection
  • 101 Foundation/Footing
  • 102 Floor/Slab
  • 117 Final Shed
  • Additional framing, sheathing, and roof inspections for conventional construction

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated Lee County?
Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Unincorporated Lee County is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
Who issues the permit in Unincorporated Lee County?
The local building department for Unincorporated Lee County 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.