That’s the message from the Fort Myers Beach Town Council as we close in on the third anniversary of Hurricane Ian. If you live in a camper on your property the clock is ticking.
Fort Myers Beach town staff are now gathering data to determine which property owners are making a good-faith effort to rebuild their homes. If you’ve started that process, and you’re living in an RV on your property, you’ll be put on the safe list. If you’ve done nothing, the town plans to start cracking down starting September 28, 2025, the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Ian.
When Hurricane Ian came through Fort Myers Beach nearly every single structure on the island suffered damage. To help property owners rebuild quicker the Town Council issued 18-month temporary use permits allowing them to live on their property while they rebuilt their homes. Senate Bill 250 extended that to 36 months. Unless the state extends that 3-year time frame, the town plans to start cracking down.
What does that mean?
It means that if you are using your property to vacation on it with a trailer 6 months out of the year, the town will be cracking down. It means if you are using your property as an RV rental property the town will be cracking down. It means if a contractor is living in an RV on your property the town will be cracking down.
Mayor Dan Allers said Thursday, “You’ve had enough time to make some progress.” Councilmember
Karen Woodson added, “We are getting the word out 6 months ahead of time so get your act together.”
There may be extenuating circumstances like the 95 property owners STILL waiting for their FEMA grant money to raise or rebuild their homes. Or, if you can show that you are in a battle with your insurance company. The goal of the Town Council is not to go after people doing whatever they can to rebuild. It’s to go after those that have done nothing at all.
Town staff is expected to have the list of everyone in the process of rebuilding – and those who are not – at the April 7th town council meeting.
You’re the squatter. You’re obsessed with FMB and just won’t leave.
Funny how I saw night on the island for more than 15 years after hurricane Charley hit, and suddenly 3 years is a big deal? Some of you have obviously never experienced a loss that you couldn’t just throw some money at!
*blight
Move them RV parks or start rebuilding so those of who want to sell with a better market value can.
Finally!
It’s easy to pick on a landowner and make threats, there are MUCH MUCH bigger problems in FMB than this RV sitting on the owner’s property.
Leave her alone for God’s sake!!!
Meanwhile, in all likelihood, 3 years after Ian hit the old Junkanoo will still be standing. It’s way past time to get campers and trailers off of lots and derelict buildings torn down.
DEP state permit ALONE takes MINIMUM of 3 months to obtain. Each addition, correction, revision takes an additional month to process.
I take issue with being referred to as a squatter. I own my land, bought a brand new Airstream to live in after Ian destroyed our home, while we started the process of rebuilding . I still hope to rebuild, but with the conservative estimates of $600 or more per square foot, it’s currently out of reach for us, a working family. Yes I had flood insurance, but as you well know, that is not enough to rebuild. Could I sell my land? Of course, but I love Fort Myers Beach, and I want to continue to live here. Not everyone is a wealthy vacationer, some of us are average Joe year rounders doing the very best we can in the face of an enormous tragedy. Have a heart.
Why can’t people live in trailers on their own land. This is the only way working people can afford to live here
This is a long process! After fighting with your insurance for a year or more, most builders have at least a 15 month backlog.
Ted: Please read the story I wrote. If the process has started, people are safe. They town is not trying to penalize residents in the process of rebuilding!
what about the people that bought their property after Ian and then put a trailer on it?? why was that allowed? even if they are going to build a home
I will gladly give them additional addresses to warn. Enough is enough
I’ll believe it when I see their cracking down actually take place.
1 to 1.5 years to fight and collect insurance or get a construction loan from a bank. 6 months of engineering and architecture plans and lining up a builder. A couple months to appy for a permit.
There will be a bunch of crying by September, 28th.
Shanty town is over.
Good plan council members.