Officials implore: Hurricane damage? Pull a permit
As residents begin the cleanup after hurricanes Milton and Helene, the city of Cape Coral, as well as Lee County, urges property owners to pull permits to repair the storm damage, as they are required by state law to ensure the work meets Florida Building Code standards.
They also are mandated by FEMA, which monitors rebuild efforts post-storm.
Appointments are not required, but are recommended, for permitting until further notice for the city. They can be made at www.capecoral.gov/gless.
Permit applications can be submitted by property owners who are acting as their own contractors. They must bring their photo ID that matches the property being repaired.
The Lee County Department of Community Development opened a remote permit office at Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until the end of October. Property owners acting as their own contractor can submit a permit application, have it reviewed and, in some cases, issued from the remote office. Only a description of the work and the address is needed, as staff will walk them through the process.
From 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday the permitting counter is open at Cape Coral City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. to assist property owners with applying for permits. There will be additional staff available at the counter, answering emails and phone inquiries to further assist property owners, business owners, and contractors.
Contractors must continue using www.capecoral.gov/energov, the electronic permitting portal. The same goes for contractors — the existing electronic permitting process — for Lee County.
Property owners within the Special Flood Hazard Area — Cape Coral residents or businesses — must obtain a permit for all repairs, both water intrusion and damage. For assistance, email flood@capecoral.gov with contact information, property address, type of damage and height of the water that entered the home.
County property owners seeking a full demolition, or complete replacement of a structure, need to visit the Community Development permitting office at 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers.
Property owners who live in unincorporated areas must also pull permits to work on storm damage repairs. Those within the Special Flood Hazard Area — homes, or businesses — must obtain a permit.
For assistance email FIRMinfo@leegov.com with contact information, property address, type of damage and height of the water that entered the home.
Cape Coral spokesperson Kaitlyn Mullen said for city residents whose home is in the Special Flood Hazard Area and experienced water intrusion or sustained wind damage are encouraged to contact the Development Services Department for guidance on permits and repair requirements.
“Please send an email to flood@capecoral.gov as soon as possible,” she said.
Mullen said all repairs in the Special Flood Hazard Area require a permit, including the submission of a substantial improvement/substantial damage application from the City of Cape Coral.
All other Cape Coral permitting inquiries email permits@capecoral.gov, or call (239) 574-0546.
The city has been working with FEMA to help them through the process of being compliant for the Community Rating System classification, which provides a 25% discount on federal flood insurance policies.
Emergency Management & Resilience Director Ryan Lamb said during City Council’s Wednesday meeting that staff is still actively working through the NFIP process with the correction action plan that followed Hurricane Ian.
He said they are keeping with the pace to achieve their timeline.
The next plan submission deadline to meet is Nov. 18.
That plan was applied and put through practical use during hurricanes Helene and Hurricane Milton.
With the knowledge the city has obtained from Hurricane Ian, they are helping with assessments on Boca Grande and other communities in North Florida.
Lamb said they have been recognized as experts in the field - sharing lessons learned and what they have been able to accomplish in Cape Coral.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com