Town of Fort Myers Beach makes application forms available for trailer permit extensions

The Town of Fort Myers Beach has announced that the application forms for emergency temporary placement permits for trailers is now available for residents and business owners seeking an extension past the town’s Sept. 23 deadline.

To receive an extension from the town, trailer owners need to show a hardship for why they need the trailers as they rebuild from Hurricane Ian. There are more than 150 residential trailer permits in town and more than 50 permits for business uses.

Among the allowable hardships are:

Delay in processing Elevate Florida application

Delay in obtaining construction mortgage or refinancing

Delay based on an inability to find licensed professionals to rebuild

Delay due to a dispute with a licensed building professional or insurance adjustor/carrier

Delay due to the lack of available equipment/materials to complete construction

Hardship due to inability to sell property

Hardship due to inability to secure alternative location to operate business or residence

Hardship due to delay in permitting process

Hardship due to extended family illness/death of property or business

Other hardships can be identified as well and will be reviewed by Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Will McKannay. If McKannay denies the hardship request, a permit holder can appeal to the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council.

All permit holders will be required to submit an action Plan to eliminate or resolve the hardship or removal of the trailer, subject to six-month updates

An evacuation plan, containing details and current emergency contact information, is also required for an emergency extension.

A permit fee will also be required to be paid.

The application forms can be found on the town’s website at: https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/1069/Building-Services-Applications-Forms

The town had originally notified the public that Sept. 23 would be a hard deadline for the owners of trailers to keep their vehicles on their properties though officials said there could potentially be exceptions.

The deadline is based on a date set by the state marking three years since the declaration of a state of emergency for Hurricane Ian.

The town’s counsel Nancy Stuparich has since said that the town can set its own date based on a resolution passed by the town council to make exceptions for hardships. Stuparich and McKannay have said they do not believe this will interfere with FEMA floodplain regulations for which the town has been working to comply with in order to get off probation and back into the National Flood Insurance Program. The town lost its 25% insurance discount last year when it was put on probation by FEMA.

Under a resolution approved by the town council last week, the new extensions could last until 2027. McKannay said the extensions were needed due to a significant number of homeowners still recovering from the damage to their properties from Hurricane Ian.

In a letter sent to town property owners and residents on Monday, the town manager’s office said the town acknowledges “the incredible strength, resilience, and patience demonstrated by our island throughout the ongoing recovery” and “expresses the Town’s sincere gratitude for the community’s cooperation as the rebuilding of Fort Myers Beach moves forward.”

The notice informs residents and businesses that Temporary Placement Permits are set to expire on September 23, 2025 and reminds trailer owners that the town has established a pathway for property owners facing certain hardship situations to apply for a permit extension under defined conditions.

“We are committed to supporting our residents and businesses as we continue this challenging but hopeful journey together,” McKannay said. McKannay said the resolution approved by the town council last week “provides a fair and compassionate opportunity for those who need more time due to ongoing hardship.”

Property owners are encouraged to act before their permit expires to avoid possible referral to the Code Enforcement Department, which may result in daily fines and other penalties if no action is taken.

For more information visit www.fmbgov.com or contact the Town’s Community Development Department at (239) 765-0202.