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Fort Myers · Lee County

Building on your lot in Fort Myers

Eastern Homes builds new construction homes on land our buyers own, and Lee County is one of the counties we build in. If you have a lot in Fort Myers, or you are looking at one, we can tell you which of our fifteen single story plans fit it and what it would cost to build. This page covers the permit, utility and lot checks that apply in Fort Myers.

Looking for a home to buy?

We do not have a home for sale in Fort Myers right now. Our nearest homes are in North Port, in Sarasota County. Our Available Homes page shows every home we have for sale, and you can sign up there to get an email when a new home is listed.

Own land or looking at a lot?

Send us the address or parcel number. We will tell you which of our plans fit the lot and what it would cost to build there. The lot evaluation is free.

Local facts

Building on a lot in Fort Myers

Fort Myers is its own city inside Lee County. A lot inside city limits follows city rules for permits and utilities. A lot outside city limits follows Lee County rules. Here is how each part works, with a link to the office that handles it. Our nearest homes are in North Port.

A row of single story homes with tile roofs and palm trees on a quiet Florida street
Fort Myers at a glance

How building in Fort Myers works

Building permits in the city
City of Fort Myers Building, Permitting and Inspections Division
Building permits outside the city
Lee County Community Development, for unincorporated Lee County
Water and sewer
City of Fort Myers utility service in the city, or Lee County Utilities in its service area
Septic permits
Florida Department of Health in Lee County
Wetland permits
A state Environmental Resource Permit, which Lee County asks to see before it issues a building permit

The city’s Building, Permitting and Inspections Division on Hendry Street handles plan review, permits and inspections. You can apply for permits, check their status and pay fees online. We handle the permit for the homes we build.

Photo: a stock image of a Florida street. It is not a home we built or a Fort Myers address.

Before you buy a lot

Before you buy a lot in Fort Myers

These six checks tell you what you can build on a lot and what it may cost. Each one ends with a next step.

Is the lot inside Fort Myers city limits?Lots inside the city follow city rules. Lots in unincorporated Lee County follow county rules. Where the lot sits decides which office issues your building permit.Next step: inside city limits, the City of Fort Myers Building, Permitting and Inspections Division issues building permits. In unincorporated areas, Lee County Community Development does. Lee County’s Find My Flood Zone map also shows which city or town a parcel is in.
How much of the lot can you build on?The total lot size is not the same as the area you can build on. Setbacks, easements, wetlands, and any deed restrictions or HOA rules can each reduce the space for the house and driveway.Next step: look at a survey of the lot and its recorded restrictions, or send us the parcel and we will check what is on record.
Are there wetlands on the lot?Low or wet areas can limit where a home can go. Building in a wetland usually needs a state Environmental Resource Permit. Lee County says lots zoned for a single-family home are generally handled by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the county asks for a copy of that permit before it issues a building permit on a wetland parcel.Next step: read Lee County’s wetland permitting page. A survey or environmental review shows where any wetlands are.
Is the lot in a flood zone?Flood zones are areas FEMA maps by flood risk. A flood zone can affect how high the floor of the home has to be and whether your lender requires flood insurance. The city’s permit review includes flood zone requirements.Next step: look up the address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. The map is a starting point. A survey gives the exact elevations.
City water and sewer, or well and septic?The City of Fort Myers sets up water, sewer and trash service for homes it serves. Outside the city, Lee County Utilities has a team that sets up new service in its service area. Some lots use a well or a septic system.Next step: ask the City of Fort Myers or Lee County Utilities about service for the address. The Florida Department of Health in Lee County permits and inspects septic systems. We also check this in our lot evaluation.
Which of our plans will fit?The lot’s width, depth and setbacks set how large the home’s footprint can be, so lot size alone does not tell you which plan fits. Our plans run from 1,198 to 2,518 square feet, all single story.Next step: send us the address or parcel number and we will tell you which plans fit.

A map check or our lot evaluation is a first look. A survey, engineering, environmental review and permit approval still decide what can be built.

Cost

What affects the cost of building on your lot

The cost of building on your land depends on your lot and your plan. These are the main parts of the cost:

  • The home. The plan, its size and the finishes you choose.
  • Getting the lot ready. Clearing, fill, grading and the length of the driveway.
  • Utilities. Connecting to city or county water and sewer, or a well and septic system.
  • Permits and impact fees. Impact fees depend on where the lot is. Lee County lists its impact fees for unincorporated areas. For a lot inside the city, ask the City of Fort Myers which fees apply.
  • Work your parcel needs. Surveys, engineering, and any flood or wetland requirements.

What we need to give you an estimate: the address or parcel number of the lot. If you already have a plan or a size in mind, tell us that too. We price the site work for your lot separately from the house, so you can see both.

Plans

Floor plans to start with

All fifteen of our plans are single story. These four are a good place to start. Which plans fit depends on your lot.

Own land or found a lot in Fort Myers? Send us the address or parcel number.

We will check the zoning, setbacks, minimum living area, flood zone, and utilities or well and septic. Then we will tell you which of our plans fit and what it would cost to build. You get a written answer. The evaluation is free, whether you already own the lot or are thinking about buying it.

Still looking for land? Tell us where you want to build and we will let you know when a lot comes up that fits.

Questions

Common questions about building in Fort Myers

Can you review a lot before I buy it?
Yes. Send us the address or parcel number and we will check it for free, the same way we check a lot you already own. Our review is a first look. It does not replace a survey, engineering or permit approval.
Who issues the building permit for a Fort Myers lot?
Inside city limits, the City of Fort Myers Building, Permitting and Inspections Division reviews plans, issues permits and does inspections. In unincorporated Lee County, Lee County Community Development handles permits. Lee County’s Find My Flood Zone map shows which city or town a parcel is in.
What if the lot has wetlands?
Building in a wetland usually needs a state Environmental Resource Permit. Lee County says lots zoned for a single-family home are generally handled by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and it asks for a copy of that permit before it issues a building permit on a wetland parcel. We look for wet areas in our lot evaluation, and a survey or environmental review confirms them.
What costs are there besides the house?
Getting the lot ready, connecting utilities, permits and impact fees, and any surveys or engineering the lot needs. Impact fees depend on where the lot is, so ask which apply to your address. We price the site work for your lot on its own line.
Which of your plans fit a Fort Myers lot?
It depends on the lot’s width, depth and setbacks. Send us the parcel and we will tell you which of our fifteen plans fit. The Queen, Coconut I, Foxtail and Royal are good places to start.
Do you have a home for sale in Fort Myers?
Not right now. Our nearest homes are in North Port. Our Available Homes page shows every home we have for sale.
How long does it take to build?
Typically about three months for permitting, then about six months of construction after the permit is issued. The city or county sets the permit timing, so it can be shorter or longer for your lot.