Fort Myers property owners and community managers: simplify recycling compliance and boost resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with City of Fort Myers and Lee County requirements to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey, inspector-friendly program.
In Fort Myers, multi-family properties must implement a recycling program under the City’s Solid Waste code (Chapter 70, Article IV; Ordinance 3526). Lee County also requires multi-family properties with 5+ units to provide on-site recycling with resident education and recordkeeping.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Sustainability amenities that increase retention and curb appeal.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep recycling reduces overflow and contamination.
- Compliance Simplified: Code-backed setup with clear signage, education, and documentation.
- Local & State Alignment: Meets City and County mandates and Florida siting requirements for new developments.
At a Glance: City of Fort Myers vs Lee County (Unincorporated)
City of Fort Myers
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling for multi-family properties (effective Jan 1, 2010, or within 14 days of initial occupancy thereafter).
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to multi-family properties (apartment & condo communities) citywide.
- Core Duties: Provide a recycling program; maintain plan/contract; keep records; educate residents.
- Key City Links: Ordinance 3526 (Ch.70, Art. IV) · City Recycling Page
- Fines & Penalties (City):
- City’s public enforcement guide shows citations typically $100–$500; unpaid fines may become a lien.
- (No city-published, recycling-specific fine schedule beyond general code enforcement was located online.)
- Code Violations & Fines (PDF)
Lee County
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling for multi-family (5+ units) with program, education, and records.
- Applicability Threshold: 5+ dwelling units (apartments, condos, mobile home/RV parks).
- Key County Links: Lee County Ordinance 07-25 (PDF) · County Multifamily Recycling Page
- Fines & Penalties (County):
- $300 per incident for multi-family non-compliance (county guidance page).
- Civil: up to $500 per violation, and each day is a separate violation (Ord. 07-25).
- Criminal (possible): up to $500 and/or up to 10 days imprisonment (Ord. 07-25).
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City & County)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Resources / Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Establish Recycling Program (City) | Provide program for each multi-family property; maintain plan, service agreement, and resident education/records. | Fort Myers Ord. 3526 · City Recycling Page |
| ☑ Establish Recycling Program (County) | For 5+ units, provide on-site recycling; label containers; keep areas covered/secured; control contamination; educate residents at move-in and annually. | Lee County Ord. 07-25 · County MF Recycling |
| ☑ Service Agreements & Records | Maintain recycling service agreement and/or scale receipts on-site; produce within 20 business days of written request; be inspection-ready. | Ord. 07-25 §4.D |
| ☑ Resident Education & Signage | Provide move-in & annual education; post clear signage at containers; document communications. | Ord. 07-25 §4.B |
| ☑ New Development Provisioning | Provide adequate space & receptacles for recycling at new multifamily developments when a local program exists (state law). | F.S. §403.706(2)(c) |
Fines & Penalties Snapshot:
City of Fort Myers: General code-enforcement citations typically $100–$500; unpaid fines may result in liens. (No recycling-specific fine schedule published online beyond general penalties.)
City Guide ·
Ord. 3526
Lee County: $300 per incident for multi-family non-compliance (county page); civil penalties up to $500 per violation (each day a separate violation); potential criminal penalties up to $500 and/or 10 days imprisonment.
County MF Recycling ·
Ord. 07-25
Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Fort Myers/Lee County property — we’ll right-size containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation.
Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.
