Outdoor kitchens in Estero, FL

Estero, Spanish for estuary, lies along the Estero River, which runs east to west through the Village into Estero Bay, and much of the Village sits only 5 to 10 feet above sea level. Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve, which borders the Village, was created in 1966 as Florida's first aquatic preserve. Estero voters approved incorporation with 86 percent on November 4, 2014, and the Village of Estero was officially created on December 31, 2014. The first Village Council was elected in March 2015.

In 1894, Cyrus Teed brought followers of the Koreshan Unity to Estero, where they settled along the Estero River and incorporated a first Town of Estero in 1904 that was abolished in 1907. In 1961 the last members deeded their land to the state, and today Koreshan State Park keeps 11 historic buildings dating from 1882 to 1920 in a district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Estero is made up mainly of privately maintained single-family neighborhoods, and in many of its lower-density neighborhoods golf courses form the main open space. The 2020 Census counted 36,939 residents, and about 86 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied. Estero's Planning, Zoning and Design Board reviews exterior alterations of buildings except single-family homes, and the Village's architectural design standards apply to commercial, multifamily and other non-single-family projects. Private deed restrictions and covenants still apply in addition to the code, but the Village does not monitor or enforce them.

In Estero, an accessory structure may not be closer to the road than the house, must stay at least 5 feet from the rear property line unless a planned development's approval sets another distance, and may not sit in a recorded easement, over a known utility or in a required buffer. Accessory structures larger than 150 square feet need a drainage plan with the building permit application. In Estero's single-family (RSF) district, accessory structures need at least 20 or 25 feet from the street, 7.5 feet from the side and 5 feet from the rear lot line, and the district sets a waterbody setback of 25 feet from the edge of the water. In residential planned developments, lot setbacks are set in each development's master concept plan or adopting ordinance, with the same 25-foot waterbody setback. In Estero, pools, patios, decks and similar facilities may not rise more than three and a half feet above grade unless they meet the setbacks of the main building, and required setbacks must otherwise stay open from the ground to the sky. Patios, terraces and walkways less than 2 inches high may be placed in any required setback. The code does not name outdoor kitchens; how yours is classified, we clarify with the Village during planning.

About 45 percent of the Village of Estero lies in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, mapped as zones AE, VE and AH, and the Village applies the Lee County Flood Insurance Study effective November 17, 2022. FEMA issued preliminary revised flood maps for Lee County, including Estero, dated July 25, 2024. Estero requires new construction and substantial improvements to be built at least one foot above the base flood elevation, and in flood zone X the livable floor must be one foot above the crown of the road. Any development in a flood hazard area needs a floodplain permit or approval, including structures that are exempt from the Florida Building Code. In Estero's flood hazard areas, development without its own specific rule must be anchored against flotation, built of flood damage-resistant materials and have its mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems above the design flood elevation, apart from minimum electric service for wet locations. In coastal high hazard zones (V), concrete patio slabs must be structurally independent, unreinforced, frangible and no more than 4 inches thick, and above-ground tanks must be elevated. The National Hurricane Center puts the maximum storm surge inundation during Hurricane Ian in September 2022 at 8 to 12 feet above ground in Estero. According to the Village, flooding was concentrated west of US 41 and along the Estero River and Halfway Creek, while wind damaged roofs, lanais and pool enclosures throughout the Village.

Within the Village of Estero, building permits come from the Village itself, whose Building & Permitting Services reviews residential and commercial applications under Village rules and Florida law, and contractors and subcontractors must register with the Village. Elevation certificates for structures built before May 9, 2016 are kept by Lee County. In Estero, installing or changing any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by the Florida Building Code requires a Village building permit, and the Village lists propane tanks above and below ground and gas piping as permit items for homes. A garden trellis under 200 square feet and 12 feet high is exempt, but only without electrical or plumbing work. If repairs or improvements equal or exceed 50 percent of a building's market value, Estero requires the building to meet current flood rules, and market value covers the structure only, based on Lee County Property Appraiser data or an independent appraisal. Landscaping, fences, driveways and detached garages, pools, sheds or gazebos do not count toward the 50 percent.