The update of the building permit-related fee schedule is part of a plan approved by the Lee Board of County Commissioners to reduce building permit fee reserves and keep them at an appropriate level. A consultant review was undertaken with the goal of having fees better match the costs of providing the service

With some proposed fee eliminations, consolidations and adjustments, the total number of fees goes up from 169 to 170. Of those, 78 fee types are proposed to go down (46%), 47 would go up (28%), and 45 would remain unchanged (26%). The list of fee changes can be seen above. 

The new fees go into effect on Nov. 14, 2022.  All new fees assessed to permits will be on the new schedule.  Application date will not be the date used to determine the fee schedule used.  Refunds will not be available due to fee changes.

Fees are assessed after staff review to ensure the project meets land development code and building code requirements.  Fees can be paid after they are accessed and invoiced.

The average turnaround time following application is 14 days for Residential and 24 days for Commercial, although 30 days provides the highest possible chance of meeting a deadline date.