Fact or Fiction

FACT or FICTIONRumors have been flying around about a bunch of different topics, causing unnecessary angst for residents, business owners, property owners – everyone. 

So we are addressing them here to set the record straight.

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Have you heard a rumor? Please fact check it with the Town! 

Email publicinfo@fmbgov.com



March 15, 2023

1. FICTION: My neighbor was issued a stop work order because he was painting his house.

FACT: The Town’s ordinances have not changed regarding painting.  The Town has never required a permit to paint.  The situation that we think might have started this rumor is that one person was issued a stop work order because they were painting an ILLEGAL WALL.

2. FICTION: My contractor says my permit has been held up for a month because the Town is now requiring soil tests for all properties.

FACT:  The town does not require soil tests for properties and there have not been any conversations in Permitting about soil tests.

3. FICTION: The Town is planning to do away with the homemade street signs that a volunteer group has been creating and putting up.

FACT: The Town promoted a public information article about illegal signs meaning unpermitted advertising on Estero Boulevard in the right of way. New street signs have been ordered per FDOT requirements, but the Town is not requiring removal of the artistic signs. To the contrary, we like them and desire them to stay.

4. FICTION: FEMA discovered that the Town improperly gave out building permits for Coastal Zone A and is scrambling to figure out what to do. Building people had to go to training last week to address.

FACT: Quite simply not the least bit true. Maybe the letters that we were required by FEMA to send to all property owners with structures that the Army Corps of Engineers determined “substantially damaged” prompted this? Read about that