Wetlands are those areas defined by Florida Statutes subsection 373.019(25). These areas are usually inundated or saturated by water long enough to create oxygen-poor soils which, under normal circumstances, support wetland vegetation as defined in Chapter 62-340.450 of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

There are various natural plant communities typical of wetlands in Florida.  Hydric pine flatwoods, cypress domes and strands, hydric hammocks, mangrove swamps, marshes and wet prairies are some of the wetland plant communities found in Lee County.​​

On September 18, 1996, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners approved amendments to the Wetland Protection Section in Chapter 14 in the Land Development Code. These amendments change the permit process for parcels of land with wetlands.​

 Wetland Permit Agencies (Federal, State, Regional and Local Agencies)