Building Services & Permitting Services

CLICK HERE to apply for a building permit

To check the status of applications or permits:

  • If a complete permit application has not yet been received, permit applications can be submitted, or application status can be researched using the IWorQ citizen engagement portal: https://fortmyers.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/fortmyers 
  • Once a complete permit application is received, a permit number is created and the permit is created in the iWorQ permit portal. From this point, to check the permit status, pay fees, print permits and approved job site plans, schedule inspections, and check inspection results, here is the link to the iWorQ permit portal: https://portal.iworq.net/FORTMYERSBEACH/permits/600

To schedule an inspection: 

Use the same link:  https://portal.iworq.net/FORTMYERSBEACH/permits/600, enter the permit number. Click search and click request an inspection. You will need an access code which will be emailed to the permit holder upon issuance of the permit. 

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 

Effective Wed., March 29, the Town’s Permitting Desk and the entire Building Services Department returned to regular operational hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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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) or  Lee County Contractor Licensing Board.

 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. 

ATTENTION BUILDING CONTRACTORS

Phase Out of Contractor Local Licensing: 

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners has approved a plan to phase out local licensing, consistent with HB 735

All local licenses will expire on June 30, 2023 and will not be renewed. 

The Contractor Licensing Board has been phased out, and no new local licenses will be approved. Those interested in obtaining a new contractor license should contact the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation regarding State licenses approval process.

Effective July 1, 2023: To perform work in the Town of Fort Myers Beach, contractors must have a state-issued license. Prior to July 1, 2023, a contractor must have a current Certificate of Insurance for liability and worker's compensation and/or a current worker's compensation exemption status with the State of Florida.

Effective June 21, 2022: All new application submittals must be done through the Request Portal. Any new applications sent to buildingpermits@fmbgov.com will be returned.

Effective June 21, 2022: All inspections will need to be requested through the Permit Portal. If you need your access code, please email inspections@fmbgov.com

Effective September 22, 2022: 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.

The Florida Building Code Update became effective on December 31, 2020 at Midnight.

Effective December 30, 2020, in our transition to being paperless, your permit and master plan submittals are now to be submitted electronically and must be certified to the Florida Building Code 7th Edition (2020.)

The new forms are available on the Building Services Applications & Forms page.

For more information about the code or to purchase the code, visit www.floridabuilding.org

FY2023 Building permits fee schedule

iworq

Use iWorQ, our online permitting service to:

  • Search and view permit
  • View status
  • Download/ print approved documents 
  • Pay fees
  • Schedule inspections

Click here PERMIT SEARCH

If you are searching for record information or paying fees, you are not required to create an account.

Guide to permitting/E-Services and Inspections

iWorQ systems, a web based program that allows citizens to submit Building applications, Zoning applications, Development Orders, Limited Development Orders, Zoning verification requests, etc. and receive permits and plans through our system remotely, reducing the paper, fuel, and time associated with permitting.

Email for any permitting questions: buildingpermits@fmbgov.com 

Email for updating license, liability, and workman's com;  contractorregistration@fmbgov.com

Email for any zoning questions; zoningpermits@fmbgov.com

Submit your application: 

 Click on the REQUEST PORTAL to submit your request.  

Request Portal Submittal Requirements

Click on “Submit request”. Complete the appropriate fields, upload the application, plans and any other supporting documents and click submit. Once staff processes the request, you will receive an email from iWorQ with further instructions if additional information/ documents are needed or an invoice to pay fees.

fees Please note that fees must be paid prior to any reviews being completed.

Check status: 

When ready to check the status of your application, pay fees, print the permit board and approved drawings click on PERMIT PORTAL.

When ready to check the status of your zoning or development services application, pay fees, and print approved drawings click on PROJECT PORTAL .

Note: (Owners can submit online) Pursuant to the owner-builder exemption 489.1.3(1) but must pick up their permits at the Town of Fort Myers Beach permitting office.

To Schedule Inspections

Permit portal online. An access code is required. Once you obtain your access code you may use that for all future permits. The access code can be obtained by calling the Permitting Department at 239-765-0202. 

Provide the following info when scheduling your inspection. 

  • Permit #
  • Site address of the property
  • Inspection type/code (located on your permit board)
  • Contact # along with any notes or special instructions for the inspector    

Time specific Inspection appointments are not available at this time.

* Please be aware that inspections scheduled after 4 pm will not be scheduled until the following business day.

* If you need to make changes to an existing inspection request, please email inspections@fmbgov.com

Required on job site at time of inspection

  • Inspection permit board
  • Recorded Notice of Commencement
  • Approved plans (JOBSITE COPY)
  • NOA's or Product Approvals
  • Threshold paperwork (if applicable)
  • Private Provider paperwork (if applicable)

If your permit requires any fire inspections, schedule by emailing: prevention@fmbfire.org along with the permit number, site address, inspection type and any notes to the inspector.       

Inspector Contact Information:


Adam Stauffer -  786-765-9544

John Serenko - 239-777-5088 / jserenko@estero-fl.gov

  1. Patty Prevost

    Community Development Assistant

  2. Andrew Garry

    Permitting Services Manager

  3. Misty Alexander

    Permit Technician

  4. Kristin Schumacher

    Floodplain Manager

  5. Kendra Rosa

    Zoning Coordinator

  6. Jason Smalley

    Senior Planner

  7. Eli Lee

    Planner

  8. Chadd Chustz

    Environmental Projects Manager

  9. Vincent Berta

    Code Compliance Manager

  10. Bill Stout

    Code Compliance Officer

  11. Patrick Morris

    Code Compliance Officer

  1. Jason Smalley

    Senior Planner

  1. Chadd Chustz

    Environmental Projects Manager

  1. Andrew Garry

    Permitting Services Manager

  1. Kendra Rosa

    Zoning Coordinator