Fort Myers Beach Dan Allers has been saying on a near-weekly basis that if you do work on your home or business without a permit you will eventually get caught. With yet another Hurricane now in the Fort Myers Beach books, the town is reminding everyone to follow the rules.
The Town of Fort Myers Beach began its damage assessment process following Hurricane Milton and would like to remind everyone that it’s illegal to do work without a permit. “We’re working hard to ensure the permitting process is smooth for our residents. Due to this, the Town is waving residential trade permit fees, for drywall, for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton damage! Permit fees will be waived for 30 days, from October 15 – November 13. Per FEMA regulations, even though the fee is waived, a permit is still required to be pulled.”
Here’s a list of items you do NOT need a permit for:
- Floor covering such as tile or carpet
- Minor cabinetry which does not include any electrical or plumbing fixtures
- Painting
- Portable heating or cooling appliances
Although you do not need to pull a permit for these items you will need to submit a cost backup worksheet. IT IS A FEMA REQUIREMENT THAT ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY REPAIR OR IMPROVEMENT TO AN EXISTING STRUCTURE MUST HAVE A COST SHEET SUBMITTED REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT.
Cost backup worksheet is available for print (page 14 of 15): Residential-Application-Fillable-07-16-24 (fortmyersbeachfl.gov)
You can reach the town’s permitting department by calling 239-765-0202 or emailing buildingpermits@fmbgov.com. Staff is also available for in-person assistance, Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm.
It’s always better to reach out to the town before they reach out to you.
As Board President of Cornerstone Beach Resort I don’t appreciate this photo of our building used in this article. We worked tirelessly to get our permits. All of our permits are current and posted.
When FEMA takes away your discount because the town didn’t require permits and worksheets , then will you be complaining? Just follow the rules and STOP thinking you’re entitled.
If my flood insurance is 10K and I could get FEMA out of my life for $2,500 more, I would gladly pay it. It is unfair for the people who care about that 25% discount, hold the rest of the owners hostage to all the rules and FEMA stalking, etc. so that they can get the pathetic little discount. What percentage of people even have flood insurance? 25% maybe? So 75% of the owners on the island are subjected to the FEMA BS for that 25% of the owners? AND I would be part of the 25% because I do have flood insurance but I could care less about FEMA’s little discount. If I can’t afford that extra 25%, then I shouldn’t be living on the island. That means I really can’t afford my home. If anything goes wrong, I won’t be able to afford to do repairs. People just need to be honest with themselves. And I for one do not think that it is worth 25% discount to have to make the entire island be stalked by FEMA and forced to follow their pathetic rules.
LOL
FEMA would be “stalking” the island even if there were no discount on flood insurance.
The Permit Nazi’s are patrolling the streets already. Lurking around taking pictures and writing down damages. Seriously? How about telling people where they can file for FEMA or get help? Nope, instead they are stalking home homeowners. Such a absolute disgrace. I have a question….is anyone checking the “work permits” for the the vans full of Haitians that are suddenly all over the island now? I have had several groups of them walk on my property and the only English they could say was “Job”. How long before a certain “town council member” starts to push for work-force housing for them? How about protecting the residents of FMB and quit trying to go after owners who are just trying to clean up after yet another “organic” hurricane.
I just closed out my Ian repair permit. Anyway that we can use all the forms and just submit a new cost sheet for drywall R&R and paint.
Is there a minimum amount before cost backup worksheet needs to be submitted? We have less than $250 of monetary damage. Does FEMA really want a cost backup worksheet for small amounts?
Unfortunately, yes they do require one for any amount.
I think they will definitely catch people as we have them on camera behind our bushes looking in our windows. It feels like awful to have people going, unannounced, prowling around our property, looking in our windows and taking pictures. I am not sure which is worse – the hurricanes or our code enforcement.
Code Enforcement is worse. This town is really a disgrace how they handle things. I have neighbors who endured Hurricane Sandy and they town got out of the way and helped the home owners. That was why the area was rebuilt so quickly. FMB has a horrible reputation with their non-stop permit issues and demands. Maybe instead of jumping in front of every camera they can find to hear themselves talk, they could be helping owners. Remeber this when you vote in a few weeks.
Will you move if you don’t get your way?
You must be happy with the way the town operates, or you are one of them.
Compared to the previous clown of a mayor and crook of a manager, this town administration is a breath of fresh air. No I am not one of them, just a long time full time resident who knows better.
Before I flush my toilet, do I need to file a permit…?
Yes and the contents needs to be inspected before flushing. If there’s any inorganic material you will be fined.