Builders in unincorporated Lee County were issued 50 permits for single-family houses in May, collectively valued at more than $16 million. That compares to 39 permits issued during April and 47 issued in May 2008.

Also in May, permits were issued for eight multi-family units, compared to two the previous month and 20 in May 2008, Joan LaGuardia, a spokeswoman with the county’s Community Development Office, said.

Commercial permitting was valued at nearly $14.2 million for 10 permits in May, including a $10.5 million Hospice facility planned for Lehigh Acres. That compares to $2.7 million in commercial permitting for April and more than $5.7 million in May 2008.

Lee County Community Development oversees planning, zoning, development, and building services, environmental review, building inspection and code enforcement for the unincorporated areas of Lee County.

To learn more about the department and its services, visit

http://www.lee-county.com/dcd.