The permitting lobby for the Lee County Department of Community Development, 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, will adjust lobby hours of operation to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays beginning Tuesday, Jan. 3. Additionally, the temporary waiver of building permit fees for hurricane-related repairs, which has been in place since permitting resumed after Hurricane Ian, will cease Jan. 3.

In addition to the adjusted lobby hours, the department’s permitting lobby will be closed to the public and staff will not take phone calls all day Wednesday, Jan. 11, and Wednesday, Jan. 18, to address workload.

Background:

The permitting lobby has had expanded hours of operation since Oct. 17 to assist homeowners with emergency permits to address damage from Hurricane Ian. However, the volume of building permit applications currently being submitted, both hurricane repair-related and regular permits, has led to a backlog in both the processing and review functions. The adjusted hours and planned closures will allow time for staff to address the backlog.

Additional Wednesday closures may be considered as needed should the backlog persist. Watch for updates at www.leegov.com.

County staff requests that contractors continue to file for permits using the county’s online system.

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