In unincorporated Lee County I have never heard if a violation or fine for a renovation or finishing a room without permit. Usually the tax assessor will find it and amend your tax bill but you never hear from the building department unless a neighbor rats you out to code enforcement (the zoning police).
I have done quite a bit around here without permits, the tax man finds it within 12-18 months and that is it. I am careful not to do things that would require a destructive inspection and the "fine" is just a double permit fee.
