To replace the contractor listed on an active Lee County building permit, fill out the Lee County change of contractor form, attach an amended Notice of Commencement and proof that the incoming contractor is registered with the county, and submit the packet to the Department of Community Development by email, mail, fax, or (for owner-builders) in person. The form is a single-page PDF published by the Department of Community Development.1Lee County Government. Change of Contractor Request Form Getting it right matters because the contractor named on the permit is the only one authorized to schedule inspections and sign off on completed work.
What the Form Asks For
The form collects basic permit information plus identifying details for both the outgoing and incoming parties. You’ll need:
- The permit number, found on the physical permit card posted at the job site or through the Lee County eConnect database.
- The job address, city, state, and zip code tied to the active permit.
- For the outgoing contractor or owner-builder: full name, company name, contractor license number, phone, and email.
- The same set of details for the incoming contractor or owner-builder.
If either party is an owner-builder, the license number and company name fields are marked “N/A.” A licensed contractor’s submission must be signed by the license holder or an authorized signer already on file with Lee County.1Lee County Government. Change of Contractor Request Form Double-check the license number against the incoming contractor’s state certification. A single transposed digit will stall the review.
What You Need to Send With It
The form lists a short checklist of items that may be required before the county will process the change:1Lee County Government. Change of Contractor Request Form
- The change of contractor fee. The form notes the fee but does not publish a dollar amount, so check the current DCD fee schedule or call the Department of Community Development at 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, before submitting.
- A recorded Notice of Commencement reflecting the updated contractor or owner-builder. If the original NOC names the outgoing contractor, record an amended NOC with the Lee County Clerk of Court before or alongside your change request.
- For an incoming licensed contractor: current registration with Lee County Contractor Licensing and a signed eConnect agreement on file.
Verify the Incoming Contractor’s License First
Before you submit anything, confirm the incoming contractor holds an active Florida license. Every construction business in Florida must be qualified by a properly licensed individual.2Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Construction Industry Business Information You can run a free check on the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s license search at myfloridalicense.com using the contractor’s name, license number, or business name.3Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. License Search Look for a status of “Current, Active.” A delinquent or suspended license will trigger a rejection, and it’s the most preventable one.
How to Submit
Lee County accepts the request through four channels:1Lee County Government. Change of Contractor Request Form
- Email the completed form and attachments to eConnect@leegov.com.
- Mail physical copies to P.O. Box 398, Fort Myers, FL 33902, Attn: Permitting.
- Fax to 239-485-8340.
- Deliver in person (owner-builders only) to 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, First Floor.
The DCD office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.4Lee County Government. Community Development When emailing, combine the form, NOC, and other attachments into a single PDF where possible, and put the permit number in the subject line so staff can route it quickly. The county does not publish a fixed processing timeline. Follow-up communication goes to the email or address you list on the form, and once the change is approved, the new contractor gains authority to schedule inspections and continue work under the permit.
If You’re Switching to Owner-Builder
The same form covers a property owner taking over a permit from a licensed contractor, but Lee County requires owner-builders to appear in person at the DCD office to complete that switch.1Lee County Government. Change of Contractor Request Form Email, mail, and fax are not accepted for this type of change.
Florida’s owner-builder exemption carries real conditions. You must provide direct on-site supervision yourself. The building must be a one- or two-family residence, a farm outbuilding, or a commercial building under $25,000, and it must be for your own use rather than sale or lease. Selling or leasing within one year of completion creates a legal presumption that you built it for that purpose, which breaks the exemption.5The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 553.79 – Permits; Applications; Issuance; Inspections You are also responsible for making sure anyone you hire holds the licenses Florida law and local ordinances require.
Who’s Liable for the Previous Contractor’s Work
One of the biggest sticking points when switching mid-project is responsibility for work already completed. Florida statute addresses this directly: a contractor hired to take over or close a permit is not liable for defects in work performed by the original contractor and is responsible only for work that contractor personally performs.5The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 553.79 – Permits; Applications; Issuance; Inspections That protection is what makes many incoming contractors willing to pick up a half-finished job in the first place.
The Change of Contractor form itself is an administrative update to the permit record. It does not resolve contractual claims between you and the outgoing contractor; you keep the right to pursue the original contractor for defects separately.
Don’t Let the Permit Lapse While You’re Switching
A permit without an assigned contractor in good standing can create inspection problems, and a permit that sits long enough can expire. Florida law allows a local enforcement agency to send a written expiration notice, by email or mail, to the property owner and the listed contractor at least 30 days before the permit expires. If that notice arrives while you’re between contractors, filing the change request promptly is the only way to avoid restarting the permit process. A permit also becomes eligible for closure six years after issuance even without a final inspection, as long as the county determines no apparent safety hazards exist.5The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 553.79 – Permits; Applications; Issuance; Inspections A closed permit without a final inspection can create problems when you sell the property or pull future permits, so getting a new contractor on the record and finishing inspections is the goal.