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Building, Permitting & Inspections (BPI)
NOTICE
The City of Fort Myers Community Development Department has converted to the new Software, Tyler EnerGov. Please visit the EnerGov Customer Self Service Portal and watch our new instructional videos. Applying for Permits (video) and Inspections (video). Questions about EnerGov? Email e-permits@cityftmyers.com or call Permitting at 239-321-7925.
NEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LOBBY HOURS
Beginning Monday February 1, 2021 the City of Fort Myers Community Development Department lobby doors on 1825 Hendry Street will close at 4 p.m.
Phone lines remain open from 7:30 am to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The lobby will still open for business each morning at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Please call Community Development staff at 239-321-7925 if there are any questions or concerns. Thank you.
Building, Permitting and Inspections (BPI) is responsible for plan review, permitting, inspections, contractor registration, and the Building and Zoning Oversight Committee (BZOC). BPI’s mission is to assure the public’s safety through effective, efficient, quality enforcement of the Florida Building Code through review and approval of construction plans, issuance of construction and other permits, field inspection of construction work and issuance of certificates of occupancy in a timely manner.
Inspection Process
All of the following information must be provided:
- The IVR number (found on the permit or the fee sheet)
- The 3-digit code for the type of inspection you are requesting
- Requests received after 5:30 a.m. will automatically be scheduled for the next business day
- Service Change, Re-roof Dry In, and Re-roof In- Progress will allow the permit holder to request inspection at a estimated hour between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- The IVR system will not allow subcontractor inspection requests on buildings, pools or signs where the Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Roofing and/or Gas subcontractor information has not been validated. This information is provided and validated at the time of application or issuance on the Subcontractor Worksheet
- The system will prevent duplicate inspection requests for one day
- The system will prevent scheduling inspection requests on inspections already approved.
- Scheduled inspections can be cancelled through the system before 5:30 a.m. the morning of the inspection.
- After 5:30 a.m., you must contact the office directly for assistance at 239-321-7920.
The IVR system will allow you to either:
- Hear the results of all inspections scheduled on the permit
- Receive a faxed report of inspection history on the permit by entering your fax number when prompted
- Receive an email of inspection history on the permit if your email was provided at the time of permit application or issuance
Contractor Verification
- The contractor requests a large deposit or all of the money up front before any work has commenced
- The contractor asks you to pull a "homeowner permit"
- The contractor pressures you to sign a contract today or he/she can't give you this special price
Verifying Contractor Licenses
To verify the license of a contractor, you may call the State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) at 850-487-1395. The city requires proof of license from contractors who pull permits for properties located in the city, so be sure to require that the contractor pull the permit in his name, not your name.Plan Review
Accessibility | Energy efficiency |
Flood zone requirements | Hurricane provisions |
Life safety | Structural integrity |
A plan review comment letter will be emailed, faxed, or mailed to you if there are issues concerning your permit application. Contact the staff member listed on the plan review comment letter if you have questions regarding the review.
Site Plan Submission
Checklists which address all items required for a permit application as well as plan review items are available through this website or in the lobby of the Community Development Department.
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Building, Permitting & Inspections Division
Physical Address
1825 Hendry St.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 239-321-7925
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Brent Brewster
BPI Manager - Building OfficialPhone: 239-321-7932
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Melinda Botsford
Building Division Services SupervisorPhone: 239-321-7911
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Robert Howard
Chief InspectorPhone: 239-321-7917
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Robert Ward
Building Services / Floodplain CoordinatorPhone: 239-321-7931
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Audrey Anderson
Permit CoordinatorPhone: 239-321-7936
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Carolyn Gibson
Inspections CoordinatorPhone: 239-321-7923
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Bonnie Sherma
Plan Review CoordinatorPhone: 239-321-7915
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Paula Jacobs
Senior Administrative AssistantPhone: 239-321-7935
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City Announces Temporary 75% Reduction in Building Permit Fees
The Fort Myers City Council recently voted to cut building permit fees by 75% for one year beginning on October 1st, 2020. Read More -
Midtown Receives APA Florida Award
The City of Fort Myers Midtown Vision was recognized with an Awards of Merit at the 2019 American Planning Association’s (APA) Florida Conference held in Sandestin, Florida. Read More -
Midtown Receives FPZA Award
The City of Fort Myers Midtown Vision was selected for the 2019 Florida Planning & Zoning (FPZA) Award for Outstanding Plan. Read More