Home renovation & remodeling in Lee County

Remodeling in Lee County

Install & Design (HLC Construction LLC) remodels homes across Lee County, from Fort Myers and Cape Coral to Bonita Springs, Estero, Lehigh Acres and Sanibel. In a coastal county with storm season, roofing, windows, doors and gutters matter a lot here. So do the kitchens, bathrooms, pools and outdoor spaces you use every day. We are a licensed Florida general contractor (CGC052877). You can get an instant planning estimate online and book a free on-site visit.

Permits in Lee County

• City limits or county. who issues your permit?: Your permit office depends on where your home sits. Lee County's building department covers unincorporated Lee County, which means any area outside a city limit. If your home is inside a city, such as Fort Myers, you usually get your permit from that city instead. Not sure which applies? Check with the building department before you start.
• Fort Myers. remodels and roofs need a city permit: Inside Fort Myers city limits, the City of Fort Myers requires building permits to build, alter, repair, move or demolish a building. The city's permit list says yes for residential interior and exterior remodels, roof repairs and new roofs, and exterior doors. That covers most kitchen, bathroom and roofing projects.
• Fort Myers. even drywall work can need a permit: In the City of Fort Myers, replacing more than 100 square feet of drywall needs a residential permit. Kitchen and bathroom remodels often go past this amount, so plan for it early.
• Unincorporated Lee County. remodels need a residential permit: In unincorporated Lee County, a Residential Construction permit is required to remodel a home. This applies to the main house and to accessory structures. It is the permit type that usually covers kitchen and bathroom remodels.
• Lee County. replacing windows or doors needs a permit, even same size: In unincorporated Lee County, you need a Windows, Doors, Shutters permit to install or replace windows, doors and shutters. This applies even when the new unit is the same size as the old one. If the opening changes, for example enclosing a lanai or switching from vinyl or acrylic to glass, the county requires an Alteration to Primary Structure permit instead.
• Flood zones. the 50% rule can affect big remodels: Some homes in unincorporated Lee County are in a flood zone, meaning zones that start with A or V. For these homes, the county checks whether a project is a "substantial improvement." That means the cost of the work equals or exceeds 50% of the building's market value before the work starts. If it does, the whole home must be brought up to current flood rules. Planning a large remodel in a flood zone? Ask the building department early.

📖Read: Do I need a permit to pave or replace my driveway in Lee, Charlotte or Sarasota County, and what will the whole job cost?

Good to know in Lee County

• Flood zones and the 50% rule (unincorporated Lee County). Many Lee County homes are in a flood zone. Zones that start with A or V are the high-risk areas. In unincorporated Lee County, if your home sits below the required flood level and your remodel costs 50% or more of the building's value, the whole house must be brought up to current flood rules. That usually means raising the home. Electrical and mechanical equipment, bathrooms and laundry rooms must also sit at or above that level. Below it, you can only have parking, building access and limited storage.
• Already flood compliant? The 50% rule may not apply. If your home already meets flood rules, the 50% rule may not limit your remodel. That means the lowest floor, including bathrooms and electrical and mechanical equipment, is already above the required height. An elevation certificate can show this. Lee County may already have one on file for your home.
• Splitting a project does not get around the 50% rule. FEMA guidance says the whole improvement project counts as one. If a job is split into two permits and together they pass 50% of the building's value, it can still count as a substantial improvement. Some communities add up improvements over several years. Check with your building department on how they count.
• Windows, doors and shutters need a permit and Florida product approval. In unincorporated Lee County, you need a permit to install or replace shutters. You also need one for size-for-size window and door swaps. The application must list a product approval number for each product. The county accepts Florida Building Code or Miami-Dade product approvals. Work follows the 2023 Florida Building Code (8th Edition).
• City limits vs. unincorporated county: Lee County's building and flood rules cover unincorporated areas, which means land outside any city limits. Some cities run their own permitting. For example, Cape Coral has its own Development Services permitting and its own 50% rule (substantial improvement) application, updated in 2025. Sanibel has its own Building Department. Before you start, check whether your address is inside a city or in the unincorporated county.