Relocating to a new town is exhilarating, but it can be tedious tracking down all of the details you need to know to get settled in comfortably. Which domestic animals need to have a county license? Where is the closest library? Who do you call to get a recycling bin? How do you get a transponder to save money on bridge tolls?
This guide will make the process a little easier. If you are moving into an incorporated city, contact the municipality’s city hall and website to find out about local laws, offices, and services. Contact county government if you are living in unincorporated areas of Lee or Collier county.
Emergency
Emergency: Police, Fire, Medical, Fire: 911
Local Government
Lee County Administration
2115 Second St., Fort Myers
239-533-2221; leegov.com
Lee County Board of Commissioners
Old Lee County Courthouse
2120 Main St., Fort Myers
City of Fort Myers
City Hall
2200 Second St., Fort Myers
239-321-7000; cityftmyers.com
City of Bonita Springs
City Hall
9101 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs
239-949-6262; cityofbonitasprings.org
City of Sanibel
City Hall
800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
239-472-3700; mysanibel.com
Village of Estero
Administrative Offices
9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, Estero
239-221-5035; estero-fl.gov
Town of Fort Myers Beach
Town Hall
2525 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach
239-765-0202; fortmyersbeachfl.gov
City of Cape Coral
City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral
239-574-0401; capecoral.net
Traffic Fines, Marriage Licenses, Divorce, Passports, Small Claims, Jury Duty
Lee County Clerk of Court
Lee County Justice Center
2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd./1700 Monroe St., First Floor
533-5000; leeClerk.org
The Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller handles all court-related matters: Traffic fines; Declaration of Domicile; deed recording; foreclosure/tenant eviction; and records; marriage license; passports; probate information; simplified divorce; small claims.
Property Taxes and Homestead Exemption
Lee County Property Appraiser
Lee County Government Complex
2480 Thompson St., Fourth Floor
239-533-6100; leepa.org
Under Florida law, homeowners who live in their homes full-time (six months and a day each year) qualify for a Homestead Exemption—a deduction of least $25,000 from a home’s taxable—and in many cases an additional $25,000, for a total of $50,000—from the assessed taxable value of a primary residence. Apply in person or online. Taxes are paid through the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office.
Voter Registration
Lee County Supervisor of Elections
Melvin Morgan Constitutional Complex
2480 Thompson St, 3rd Floor, Fort Myers
239-LEE-VOTE (533-8683); lee.electionsfl.org
In addition to the main office, the Supervisor of Elections has three branch offices: Cape Coral, South Fort Myers, and Bonita Springs. Registration forms are available online. You can also register to vote when you apply for a new driver’s license.
Transponder Toll Stickers
LeeWay
1366 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers
239-533-9297; leewayinfo.com
Purchase a transponder that will allow you to pass quickly through toll plazas at three local bridges: Cape Coral Bridge, Midpoint Memorial Bridge, and Sanibel Causeway. Discount programs are available for frequent users. LeeWay transponders are usable in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina at facilities run by SunPass, E-Pass, Quick Pass, and Peach Pass.
Public Transportation
LeeTran
3401 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers
239-533-8726 (239-LEE-TRAN); leegov.com/leetran
LeeTran, Lee County’s bus transit system, operates 24 bus routes, a paratransit service for the disabled called Passport, an employer vanpool program, and trolleys.
Lee County Library System
The system has as 13 branches to serve Lee County. The general reference number is 239-479-4636. Find out more: leegov.com/library.
- Bonita Springs: 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs, 239-533-4860
- Cape Coral-Lee County: 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, Cape Coral, 239-533-4500
- Captiva Memorial Library: 11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva, 239-533-4890
- Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon: 3095 Blount St., Fort Myers, 239-533-4150
- East County Regional: 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres, 239-533-4200
- Fort Myers Regional: 2450 First St., Fort Myers, 239-533-4600
- Johann Fust Community Library: 1040 West 10th Street, Boca Grande, 941-964-2488
- Lakes Regional: 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, 239-533-4000
- North Fort Myers: 2001 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers, 239-533-4320
- Northwest Regional: 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral, 239-533-4700
- Pine Island: 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, 239-533-4350
- Riverdale Branch: 2421 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, 239-533-4370
- South County Regional: 21100 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero, 239-533-4400
- Talking Books Library: 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers, 239-533-4780
- Victor Yingst Memorial Library: 2115 Second St., Fort Myers, 239-479-4636
Library cards are free for anyone who resides, is employed, owns property or a business, or attends school in Lee County and can show acceptable proof.
Driver Licenses, Vehicle Tags, Conceal Carry, Boat Registration, Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Lee County Tax Collector
2480 Thompson St., Fort Myers
239-533-6000; leetc.com
The Lee County Tax Collector is an independent Constitutional Officer that serves as an agent to the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles. The office is responsible for the issuance and renewal of Florida driver licenses and identification cards. Documents required as proof of identity include proof of address and Social Security number. New residents exchanging a valid out-of-state license for a Florida license must pass vision and hearing tests, as required. Appointments are suggested and can be made online or by calling.
Residents must register their vehicles and purchase Florida auto tags within 10 days of accepting a job or enrolling a child in school. All motorized vessels must be registered and tagged. Application forms and information are available online.
The Lee County Tax Collector has eight convenient offices in Lee County.
Pet License
Lee County Animal Services
5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers
239-533-7387; leegov.com/animalservices
Pet licensing: 239-533-9215 or 239-533-9217
All cats, dogs and ferrets, four months of age or older, that live in Lee County for at least 30 days per year must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed by Lee County. If your pet’s rabies vaccine is still current from another state, you only need to purchase a Lee County license, which will expire when the rabies vaccination expires. This ordinance enables Lee County Domestic Animal Services to return pets to their owners when they are lost. It also ensures that all pets receive a current rabies vaccination. Your veterinary clinic can issue your license, you may get one from Lee County Animal Services.
Water & Sewer
Lee County Utilities
7391 College Parkway, Fort Myers
239-533-8845 or 800-485-0214; leegov.com/utilities
For unincorporated areas of Lee County, to establish service, you need to present three items:
- Completed New Account Application
- Driver’s license, state ID, or passport
- Proof of Ownership or Lease/Rental Agreement
Irrigation and Fertilizing Regulations
Watering restrictions (including lawn irrigation and car washing) and fertilizing schedules are in place year-round. Check with your local government for the schedules.
Recycling, Yard Waste & Solid Waste
Lee County Solid Waste Division
6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers
239-533-8000; leegov.com/solidwaste
Lee County Solid Waste, a division of the Department of Public Utilities, provides a variety of waste and recycling services to more than 320,000 households in unincorporated Lee County and its six municipalities.
Recycling: Only five materials should be placed in your recycling bin: paper, glass (green, brown, and clear), cardboard (non-waxed coating), plastic containers labeled 1-7 in the triangle (no plastic bags or Styrofoam); metal (aluminum and tin) cans
Hazardous waste: Lee County also handles the disposal of residential hazardous waste such as aerosols, insecticides, antifreeze, paint, batteries, pool chemicals, and herbicides. It also accepts electronics, including computers, TVs and cellphones. (Electronics are accepted for trash pickup in some cities.)
Free mulch: Lee County provides free mulch residents at five locations within the county.
NOTE: If you live in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, or Estero, check with that city’s public works and solid waste divisions to learn about obtaining trash and recycling bins, local ordinances, and pickup schedules. Some cities have contracts with these private companies:
Advanced Disposal Services: 239-334-1224 or 239-368-2300; advanceddisposal.com
Waste Management: 239-334-4115 or 941-629-1106; wm.com
Waste Pro: 239-945-0800; wasteprousa.com
Other Useful Contacts
Lee County Health Department
3920 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers
239-332-9501; lee.floridahealth.gov
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Central Records
14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers
239-477-1350; sheriffleefl.org
Non-Emergency Dispatch: 239-477-1000
School District of Lee County
2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers
239-334-1102; leeschools.net
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