Florida / Economic data / Building permits / Lee
Lee County residential building permits
Housing units, buildings and construction value authorized by building permits in Lee County and each of its 7 permit issuing places, from the US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey. The county is the sum of its places. Consumer spending in Lee County.
Places in Lee County, latest figures
Sort any column; select a place to open its card. A county permit office issues permits for the unincorporated area, or for the whole county where no city issues its own.
| Area | Type | Latest month | Units, last 12 months | Change | One unit | Five or more | Value, last 12 months | Annual table | Units that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County Unincorporated Area | County permit office | Aug 2026 | 6,712 | -27.6% | 5,437 | 1,235 | $1,554,280,589 | 2025 | 8,336 |
| Bonita Springs | Municipality | Aug 2026 | 335 | -59.3% | 201 | 120 | $139,245,481 | 2025 | 362 |
| Cape Coral | Municipality | Aug 2026 | 2,136 | -19.4% | 1,760 | 260 | $914,802,157 | 2025 | 2,406 |
| Estero village | Municipality | Aug 2026 | 397 | +24.8% | 67 | 330 | $110,096,112 | 2025 | 428 |
| Fort Myers | Municipality | Aug 2026 | 1,574 | -18.2% | 347 | 1,219 | $340,058,961 | 2025 | 1,849 |
| Fort Myers Beach town | Municipality | Aug 2026 | 57 | -24.0% | 57 | 0 | $56,476,512 | 2025 | 83 |
| Sanibel | Municipality | Aug 2026 | 37 | -53.2% | 19 | 18 | $38,364,000 | 2025 | 83 |
County and places
Lee CountyCounty total12 months to Aug 2026: 11,248 units, -25.7%
Latest figures
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Units, latest month (Aug 2026) | 1,200 |
| Units, 12 months to Aug 2026 | 11,248 |
| Change on the 12 months before | -25.7% |
| Of which one unit buildings | 7,888 |
| Of which buildings of five or more units | 3,182 |
| Construction value, the same 12 months | $3,153,323,812 |
| Change in value | -17.5% |
| Units, annual table, 2025 | 13,547 |
| Change on 2024 | -12.1% |
Annual table, as published by the Bureau
| Year | Units | One unit | Five or more | Value | Units, reported only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13,547 | 9,962 | 3,385 | $3,763,847,470 | 13,547 |
| 2024 | 15,411 | 10,554 | 4,686 | $3,895,717,264 | 15,411 |
| 2023 | 13,556 | 8,654 | 4,583 | $2,846,758,721 | 13,528 |
| 2022 | 13,621 | 9,145 | 4,107 | $2,704,333,475 | 13,621 |
| 2021 | 13,394 | 11,020 | 1,735 | $2,671,615,569 | 13,394 |
| 2020 | 10,673 | 6,828 | 3,289 | $1,944,756,278 | 10,620 |
| 2019 | 9,105 | 5,633 | 2,946 | $1,725,963,075 | 9,105 |
| 2018 | 9,721 | 5,803 | 3,227 | $1,869,043,966 | 9,721 |
| 2017 | 6,954 | 4,841 | 1,700 | $1,348,403,928 | 6,954 |
| 2016 | 5,417 | 4,092 | 963 | $1,260,040,112 | 5,417 |
| 2015 | 6,879 | 3,819 | 2,842 | $1,380,982,175 | 6,879 |
| 2014 | 4,095 | 3,112 | 750 | $934,206,168 | 4,095 |
The chart and the download carry every year from 1980; the twelve latest are listed here.
Estimates with imputation lead; reported only counts what permit offices actually reported. The annual view of the chart draws this table.
US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, Lee County. Monthly: monthly figures as first published, before late reports and corrections (Jan 1988 to Dec 2012); the Bureau's final revised monthly records (Jan 2013 to Dec 2025); the current year's months, revised through the latest release (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026), Jan 1988 to Aug 2026, 464 months. Annual table 1980 to 2025. County figures are the sum of the county's permit issuing places.
Lee County Unincorporated AreaCounty permit office12 months to Aug 2026: 6,712 units, -27.6%
Latest figures
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Units, latest month (Aug 2026) | 955 |
| Units, 12 months to Aug 2026 | 6,712 |
| Change on the 12 months before | -27.6% |
| Of which one unit buildings | 5,437 |
| Of which buildings of five or more units | 1,235 |
| Construction value, the same 12 months | $1,554,280,589 |
| Change in value | -16.3% |
| Units, annual table, 2025 | 8,336 |
| Change on 2024 | -4.4% |
Annual table, as published by the Bureau
| Year | Units | One unit | Five or more | Value | Units, reported only | Months reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8,336 | 7,226 | 1,082 | $1,926,745,287 | 8,336 | 12 |
| 2024 | 8,721 | 7,018 | 1,695 | $1,864,234,866 | 8,721 | 12 |
| 2023 | 7,115 | 5,896 | 1,057 | $1,260,903,215 | 7,115 | 12 |
| 2022 | 6,589 | 4,752 | 1,645 | $1,178,973,492 | 6,589 | 12 |
| 2021 | 5,991 | 5,525 | 220 | $1,206,074,663 | 5,991 | 12 |
| 2020 | 3,420 | 2,902 | 282 | $592,117,498 | 3,420 | 12 |
| 2019 | 3,528 | 2,373 | 1,071 | $573,476,820 | 3,528 | 12 |
| 2018 | 2,351 | 1,934 | 176 | $451,713,167 | 2,351 | 12 |
| 2017 | 2,285 | 1,559 | 656 | $414,153,263 | 2,285 | 12 |
| 2016 | 1,490 | 1,227 | 193 | $307,242,619 | 1,490 | 12 |
| 2015 | 3,359 | 1,260 | 2,055 | $493,761,176 | 3,359 | 12 |
| 2014 | 1,637 | 1,084 | 431 | $311,660,652 | 1,637 | 12 |
The chart and the download carry every year from 1980; the twelve latest are listed here.
Estimates with imputation lead; reported only counts what permit offices actually reported. The annual view of the chart draws this table.
US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, Lee County Unincorporated Area (named LEE BAL. OF CO (1980 to 1982); Lee Co. Uninc. Area (1987 to 1987); LEE CO. UNINC. AREA (1983 to 1988); Lee County Unincorporated Area (1988 to 2026) in the Bureau's files). Monthly: monthly figures as first published, before late reports and corrections (Jan 1988 to Dec 2012); the Bureau's final revised monthly records (Jan 2013 to Dec 2025); the current year's months, revised through the latest release (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026), Jan 1988 to Aug 2026, 464 months. Annual table 1980 to 2025.
Bonita SpringsMunicipality12 months to Aug 2026: 335 units, -59.3%
Latest figures
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Units, latest month (Aug 2026) | 15 |
| Units, 12 months to Aug 2026 | 335 |
| Change on the 12 months before | -59.3% |
| Of which one unit buildings | 201 |
| Of which buildings of five or more units | 120 |
| Construction value, the same 12 months | $139,245,481 |
| Change in value | -45.9% |
| Units, annual table, 2025 | 362 |
| Change on 2024 | -64.5% |
Annual table, as published by the Bureau
| Year | Units | One unit | Five or more | Value | Units, reported only | Months reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 362 | 208 | 112 | $186,751,414 | 362 | 12 |
| 2024 | 1,020 | 309 | 652 | $181,027,222 | 1,020 | 12 |
| 2023 | 571 | 109 | 462 | $285,975,947 | 571 | 12 |
| 2022 | 403 | 290 | 87 | $116,904,364 | 403 | 12 |
| 2021 | 796 | 742 | 46 | $231,218,442 | 796 | 12 |
| 2020 | 481 | 477 | 0 | $148,433,420 | 481 | 12 |
| 2019 | 606 | 467 | 79 | $234,701,519 | 606 | 12 |
| 2018 | 1,541 | 616 | 849 | $310,506,991 | 1,541 | 12 |
| 2017 | 719 | 490 | 138 | $194,604,382 | 719 | 12 |
| 2016 | 786 | 382 | 246 | $250,968,723 | 786 | 12 |
| 2015 | 1,146 | 511 | 527 | $310,875,901 | 1,146 | 12 |
| 2014 | 902 | 605 | 190 | $255,257,491 | 902 | 12 |
The chart and the download carry every year from 2003; the twelve latest are listed here.
Estimates with imputation lead; reported only counts what permit offices actually reported. The annual view of the chart draws this table.
Years whose months do not add up to the annual table
- 2013: months add to 552, annual table 560 units. Annual report used: every month was reported, but the Bureau publishes a place's annual report where it differs from the sum of its monthly reports.
- 2022: months add to 418, annual table 403 units. Annual report used: every month was reported, but the Bureau publishes a place's annual report where it differs from the sum of its monthly reports.
US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, Bonita Springs. Monthly: monthly figures as first published, before late reports and corrections (Aug 2003 to Dec 2012); the Bureau's final revised monthly records (Jan 2013 to Dec 2025); the current year's months, revised through the latest release (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026), Aug 2003 to Aug 2026, 276 months. Annual table 2003 to 2025.
Cape CoralMunicipality12 months to Aug 2026: 2,136 units, -19.4%
Latest figures
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Units, latest month (Aug 2026) | 199 |
| Units, 12 months to Aug 2026 | 2,136 |
| Change on the 12 months before | -19.4% |
| Of which one unit buildings | 1,760 |
| Of which buildings of five or more units | 260 |
| Construction value, the same 12 months | $914,802,157 |
| Change in value | -12.1% |
| Units, annual table, 2025 | 2,406 |
| Change on 2024 | -29.2% |
Annual table, as published by the Bureau
| Year | Units | One unit | Five or more | Value | Units, reported only | Months reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,406 | 2,013 | 285 | $971,527,506 | 2,406 | 12 |
| 2024 | 3,397 | 2,671 | 658 | $1,157,520,190 | 3,397 | 12 |
| 2023 | 3,995 | 2,023 | 1,839 | $834,068,336 | 3,995 | 12 |
| 2022 | 4,735 | 3,813 | 791 | $1,098,727,436 | 4,735 | 12 |
| 2021 | 5,412 | 4,279 | 848 | $991,634,193 | 5,412 | 12 |
| 2020 | 3,527 | 2,693 | 592 | $619,343,903 | 3,527 | 12 |
| 2019 | 2,688 | 1,878 | 514 | $462,340,103 | 2,688 | 12 |
| 2018 | 2,601 | 2,245 | 72 | $500,597,129 | 2,601 | 12 |
| 2017 | 2,550 | 1,842 | 506 | $433,379,919 | 2,550 | 12 |
| 2016 | 1,587 | 1,443 | 90 | $369,890,701 | 1,587 | 12 |
| 2015 | 1,090 | 1,090 | 0 | $294,088,710 | 1,090 | 12 |
| 2014 | 663 | 663 | 0 | $160,093,314 | 663 | 12 |
The chart and the download carry every year from 1980; the twelve latest are listed here.
Estimates with imputation lead; reported only counts what permit offices actually reported. The annual view of the chart draws this table.
US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, Cape Coral (named CAPE CORAL (1980 to 1988); Cape Coral (1987 to 2026) in the Bureau's files). Monthly: monthly figures as first published, before late reports and corrections (Jan 1988 to Dec 2012); the Bureau's final revised monthly records (Jan 2013 to Dec 2025); the current year's months, revised through the latest release (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026), Jan 1988 to Aug 2026, 464 months. Annual table 1980 to 2025.
Estero villageMunicipality12 months to Aug 2026: 397 units, +24.8%
Latest figures
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Units, latest month (Aug 2026) | 14 |
| Units, 12 months to Aug 2026 | 397 |
| Change on the 12 months before | +24.8% |
| Of which one unit buildings | 67 |
| Of which buildings of five or more units | 330 |
| Construction value, the same 12 months | $110,096,112 |
| Change in value | +52.7% |
| Units, annual table, 2025 | 428 |
| Change on 2024 | +10.6% |
Annual table, as published by the Bureau
| Year | Units | One unit | Five or more | Value | Units, reported only | Months reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 428 | 98 | 330 | $128,562,837 | 428 | 12 |
| 2024 | 387 | 164 | 223 | $79,045,801 | 387 | 12 |
| 2023 | 320 | 296 | 24 | $85,783,165 | 292 | 11 |
| 2022 | 397 | 47 | 350 | $56,663,018 | 397 | 12 |
| 2021 | 29 | 29 | 0 | $6,901,379 | 29 | 12 |
| 2020 | 105 | 68 | 35 | $19,537,749 | 52 | 10 |
| 2019 | 270 | 62 | 208 | $32,402,015 | 270 | 12 |
| 2018 | 406 | 114 | 260 | $59,304,626 | 406 | 12 |
| 2017 | 200 | 144 | 34 | $38,857,123 | 200 | 12 |
| 2016 | 121 | 97 | 0 | $22,286,420 | 121 | 10 |
Estimates with imputation lead; reported only counts what permit offices actually reported. The annual view of the chart draws this table.
US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, Estero village. Monthly: the Bureau's final revised monthly records (Jan 2016 to Dec 2025); the current year's months, revised through the latest release (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026), Jan 2016 to Aug 2026, 128 months. Annual table 2016 to 2025.
Fort MyersMunicipality12 months to Aug 2026: 1,574 units, -18.2%
Latest figures
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Units, latest month (Aug 2026) | 15 |
| Units, 12 months to Aug 2026 | 1,574 |
| Change on the 12 months before | -18.2% |
| Of which one unit buildings | 347 |
| Of which buildings of five or more units | 1,219 |
| Construction value, the same 12 months | $340,058,961 |
| Change in value | -21.6% |
| Units, annual table, 2025 | 1,849 |
| Change on 2024 | +7.4% |
Annual table, as published by the Bureau
| Year | Units | One unit | Five or more | Value | Units, reported only | Months reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,849 | 304 | 1,533 | $406,464,369 | 1,849 | 12 |
| 2024 | 1,721 | 229 | 1,458 | $341,375,074 | 1,721 | 12 |
| 2023 | 1,447 | 222 | 1,201 | $265,502,129 | 1,447 | 12 |
| 2022 | 1,461 | 207 | 1,234 | $205,342,462 | 1,461 | 12 |
| 2021 | 1,137 | 416 | 621 | $209,196,252 | 1,137 | 12 |
| 2020 | 3,105 | 653 | 2,380 | $536,255,165 | 3,105 | 12 |
| 2019 | 1,978 | 818 | 1,074 | $402,813,670 | 1,978 | 12 |
| 2018 | 2,777 | 851 | 1,870 | $517,953,562 | 2,777 | 12 |
| 2017 | 1,151 | 761 | 366 | $227,951,601 | 1,151 | 12 |
| 2016 | 1,387 | 897 | 434 | $276,743,013 | 1,387 | 12 |
| 2015 | 1,229 | 905 | 260 | $247,659,022 | 1,229 | 12 |
| 2014 | 849 | 716 | 129 | $178,248,702 | 849 | 12 |
The chart and the download carry every year from 1980; the twelve latest are listed here.
Estimates with imputation lead; reported only counts what permit offices actually reported. The annual view of the chart draws this table.
US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, Fort Myers (named FORT MYERS (1980 to 1988); Fort Myers (1987 to 2026) in the Bureau's files). Monthly: monthly figures as first published, before late reports and corrections (Jan 1988 to Dec 2012); the Bureau's final revised monthly records (Jan 2013 to Dec 2025); the current year's months, revised through the latest release (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026), Jan 1988 to Aug 2026, 464 months. Annual table 1980 to 2025.
Fort Myers Beach townMunicipality12 months to Aug 2026: 57 units, -24.0%
Latest figures
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Units, latest month (Aug 2026) | 1 |
| Units, 12 months to Aug 2026 | 57 |
| Change on the 12 months before | -24.0% |
| Of which one unit buildings | 57 |
| Of which buildings of five or more units | 0 |
| Construction value, the same 12 months | $56,476,512 |
| Change in value | -36.9% |
| Units, annual table, 2025 | 83 |
| Change on 2024 | -30.3% |
Annual table, as published by the Bureau
| Year | Units | One unit | Five or more | Value | Units, reported only | Months reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 83 | 81 | 0 | $75,505,391 | 83 | 12 |
| 2024 | 119 | 117 | 0 | $214,758,807 | 119 | 12 |
| 2023 | 80 | 80 | 0 | $75,181,497 | 80 | 12 |
| 2022 | 16 | 16 | 0 | $23,234,244 | 16 | 12 |
| 2021 | 17 | 17 | 0 | $12,390,001 | 17 | 12 |
| 2020 | 17 | 17 | 0 | $10,930,000 | 17 | 12 |
| 2019 | 18 | 18 | 0 | $8,784,798 | 18 | 12 |
| 2018 | 22 | 20 | 0 | $9,970,000 | 22 | 12 |
| 2017 | 22 | 18 | 0 | $17,206,174 | 22 | 12 |
| 2016 | 17 | 17 | 0 | $11,819,435 | 17 | 12 |
| 2015 | 25 | 23 | 0 | $11,553,595 | 25 | 12 |
| 2014 | 23 | 23 | 0 | $15,858,241 | 23 | 12 |
The chart and the download carry every year from 2003; the twelve latest are listed here.
Estimates with imputation lead; reported only counts what permit offices actually reported. The annual view of the chart draws this table.
US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, Fort Myers Beach town. Monthly: monthly figures as first published, before late reports and corrections (Aug 2003 to Dec 2012); the Bureau's final revised monthly records (Jan 2013 to Dec 2025); the current year's months, revised through the latest release (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026), Aug 2003 to Aug 2026, 277 months. Annual table 2003 to 2025.
SanibelMunicipality12 months to Aug 2026: 37 units, -53.2%
Latest figures
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Units, latest month (Aug 2026) | 1 |
| Units, 12 months to Aug 2026 | 37 |
| Change on the 12 months before | -53.2% |
| Of which one unit buildings | 19 |
| Of which buildings of five or more units | 18 |
| Construction value, the same 12 months | $38,364,000 |
| Change in value | -48.2% |
| Units, annual table, 2025 | 83 |
| Change on 2024 | +80.4% |
Annual table, as published by the Bureau
| Year | Units | One unit | Five or more | Value | Units, reported only | Months reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 83 | 32 | 43 | $68,290,666 | 83 | 12 |
| 2024 | 46 | 46 | 0 | $57,755,304 | 46 | 12 |
| 2023 | 28 | 28 | 0 | $39,344,432 | 28 | 12 |
| 2022 | 20 | 20 | 0 | $24,488,459 | 20 | 12 |
| 2021 | 12 | 12 | 0 | $14,200,639 | 12 | 12 |
| 2020 | 18 | 18 | 0 | $18,138,543 | 18 | 12 |
| 2019 | 17 | 17 | 0 | $11,444,150 | 17 | 12 |
| 2018 | 23 | 23 | 0 | $18,998,491 | 23 | 12 |
| 2017 | 27 | 27 | 0 | $22,251,466 | 27 | 12 |
| 2016 | 29 | 29 | 0 | $21,089,201 | 29 | 12 |
| 2015 | 30 | 30 | 0 | $23,043,771 | 30 | 12 |
| 2014 | 21 | 21 | 0 | $13,087,768 | 21 | 12 |
The chart and the download carry every year from 1980; the twelve latest are listed here.
Estimates with imputation lead; reported only counts what permit offices actually reported. The annual view of the chart draws this table.
US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, Sanibel (named SANIBEL ISLAND (1980 to 1980); SANIBEL (1981 to 1988); Sanibel (1987 to 2026) in the Bureau's files). Monthly: monthly figures as first published, before late reports and corrections (Jan 1988 to Dec 2012); the Bureau's final revised monthly records (Jan 2013 to Dec 2025); the current year's months, revised through the latest release (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026), Jan 1988 to Aug 2026, 464 months. Annual table 1980 to 2025.
Sources on this page
- US Census Bureau: Building Permits Survey, place and county files from www2.census.gov/econ/bps: the South Region place files (annual table from 1980, monthly as first published from 1988, revised monthly records from 2013 and the current year's revised months) and the county annual table from 1990. Retrieved 2026-10-01. New privately owned residential buildings, housing units and construction value authorized, by structure size. Nominal dollars.
- Validated against the Bureau's annual table on every refresh and every build: where a place has a revised record for all twelve months, every month reported, and the Bureau built the annual figure from reports, the twelve months must add up to the annual table exactly or the build fails. The county table must equal the sum of its places for every county and year. Every other difference between a place's months and its annual table is published with the Bureau's reason, on the card and in the download.
- Imputed and missing months. A month the Bureau imputed because no report was received carries source code 5 and is shown in the chart's tooltip as imputed. From 2005 to 2021 the Bureau published monthly figures only for places in its monthly sample, so a place surveyed annually has no monthly figure for those years, and a county whose offices were all annual reporters has none either; from 2022 every place is surveyed monthly. Nothing is interpolated here. Annual figures are the Bureau's own annual table, never a sum made on this site.
- Sources and methods.
Download the data
Place monthly CSV (gzip) Place annual table CSV County monthly CSV County annual CSV Place registry CSV Annual differences CSV
One row per place and month with buildings, units and value by structure size, the basis of the figure and the Bureau's source code; the annual table with estimates and reported only columns; the same for counties; the place registry with every name the Bureau's files have used; and every place year whose months do not add up to the annual table, with the reason.