Bolthole Index

Orange County, Florida

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Winter Garden, Florida

Winter Garden, Florida (Orange County) requires a building permit for buildings, structures and trade work inside city limits1. The city adopts its own zoning code with residential districts2, and septic tanks are unlawful where the city's sewer rules apply, except as the code provides3. Septic permits elsewhere in Orange County go through the county health department4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside Winter Garden for buildings, structures and trade work1
Zoning
City zoning code with districts such as R-1A, R-1B, R-1, R-2, R-4, R-5 and R-NC2
Septic
Tanks and privies unlawful except as the city code allows; sewer connection required where public sewer is available35
RV living
Camping prohibited on private property; RV dwelling use is contemplated only in RV parks67
Accessory dwellings
Limited; counted within a two-building accessory limit per lot8
Minimum home size
1,800 sq ft in R-1A; 1,200 sq ft in R-4 and R-591011
Property tax
Orange County effective rate 0.8%12

Who to call

Building permits

City of Winter Garden Building Department

Building permits and inspections inside Winter Garden city limits

407-877-5136

permits@cwgdn.com

300 W Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Online permits →

Zoning

City of Winter Garden Community Development (Planning & Zoning)

Zoning, planning and development review inside Winter Garden city limits

407-656-4111

300 W Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Health department

Florida Department of Health in Orange County, Environmental Health

Septic (onsite sewage) permits and inspections for Orange County

407-858-1497

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Winter Garden means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Winter Garden, Florida?

Yes. Winter Garden requires a building permit for buildings, structures and trade work inside city limits1. One permit goes to the contractor or builder of record and covers the trades, with subcontractors listed on the application, and a nonrefundable deposit is collected when the application is submitted1.

The city has adopted the Florida Building Code, including the appendix for tiny houses, as amended by the city13. Owner-builders are served at the Building Department counter14. Fees follow a schedule the city commission sets by resolution15. We could not confirm the fee amounts, so ask the Building Department.

Who issues building permits in Winter Garden, and how do you reach them?

The City of Winter Garden Building Department issues building permits inside city limits, not Orange County14. Call 407-877-5136 or email permits@cwgdn.com; the office is at 300 W Plant Street14. Applications go through the city's online permit portal, and zoning permits must be submitted electronically14.

Unincorporated Orange County land outside the city uses the county's Division of Building Safety instead; see the Orange County page16.

Does Winter Garden have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes, lot size and setbacks?

Yes. Winter Garden zones land under Chapter 118 of its code, with districts including R-1A, R-1B, R-1, R-2, R-4, R-5 and R-NC2. The Community Development department's planning and zoning division handles it17.

Rules differ by district. Single-family homes in R-1A need at least 1,800 square feet of living area9, while R-4 and R-5 require 1,2001011. Minimum lot area is 7,500 square feet in R-218, 5,500 in R-419 and 6,000 in R-520. Single-family setbacks in R-1A are 30 feet in front and 10 feet on each side21; in R-1B they are 25 feet front and rear22.

Detached accessory buildings may not exceed 9 feet at the walls or 12 feet at the roof peak, and a lot may have no more than 2 accessory buildings, counting detached garages and accessory dwelling units238. Tiny houses are covered by the adopted building code appendix13, but we could not confirm a zoning rule that allows one as a home; ask Planning & Zoning.

Can you live in an RV in Winter Garden?

Not on your own lot. Camping is prohibited on private property in Winter Garden except where the code specifically permits it6. Living in an RV is contemplated only in permitted recreational vehicle parks7. Manufactured and mobile homes are limited to regulated mobile home parks, and trailers are barred as accessory buildings except off-site built dwellings on permanent foundations24.

How do septic permits work inside Winter Garden?

Septic is the narrow part. Winter Garden's code makes it unlawful to build or keep a privy, septic tank or cesspool except as the article provides3. A property used for people that abuts a street or right-of-way with a public sanitary sewer must connect within 90 days of official notice, with a hardship exemption possible5.

Where septic is allowed, septic permits and inspections come from the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, not the city254. Soils matter too: only about 0.4% of Orange County soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and often an engineered system26. Wells need their own permit under Florida law27.

Building a home in Winter Garden: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and its minimum lot size, living area and setbacks with Planning & Zoning17.
  2. Ask the city whether public sewer reaches the lot, since sewer connection is required where it does5.
  3. Submit the building permit application through the city's online portal14.
  4. Submit any zoning permits electronically14.
  5. If the lot lies in a flood hazard area, expect elevation certification to go to the floodplain administrator for manufactured homes28.
  6. Schedule inspections with the Building Department14.

What stays with Orange County, and what should you check before you buy?

Septic permits and inspections stay with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, even for lots inside the city25. Land outside city limits falls under the county's rules; see the Orange County page.

Orange County's effective property tax rate is 0.8%12, and the typical home value is about $404,95929. The county's nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 12 miles away30.

Watch-outs

  • Contractors can no longer use walk-in permit service at the Building Department; owner-builders still can, and must sign the application at the counter14.
  • We could not confirm inspection requirements, certificate of occupancy rules, owner-builder exemption details or short-term rental rules inside Winter Garden; ask the Building Department14.
  • Lot size, setbacks and minimum home size above are for named districts only; check which district your parcel is in before relying on them2.

Sources

  1. Winter Garden Code Sec. 18-57 Building permit fee amendments (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  2. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-261 R-1A Intent (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  3. Winter Garden Code Sec. 78-129 Use of public sewers required (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Sewage Disposal - Florida Department of Health in Orange County, quoted and re-checked
  5. Winter Garden Code Sec. 78-129 Use of public sewers required (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  6. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-11 Camping (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  7. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-1261 RV park definitions (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  8. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-1310 Accessory buildings and structures (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  9. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-271 R-1A Minimum living area (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  10. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-462 R-4 Minimum living area (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  11. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-482 R-5 Minimum living area (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  12. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  13. Winter Garden Code Sec. 18-56 Adoption (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  14. City of Winter Garden Building Department (cwgdn.com)
  15. Winter Garden Code Sec. 18-57 Building permit fee amendments (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  16. Permitting FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  17. City of Winter Garden Community Development (Planning & Zoning) (cwgdn.com)
  18. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-396 R-2 Minimum lot requirements (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  19. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-456 R-4 Minimum lot requirements (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  20. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-476 R-5 Minimum lot requirements (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  21. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-268 R-1A Minimum yard requirements (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  22. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-352 R-1B Minimum yard requirements (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  23. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-1310 Accessory buildings and structures (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  24. Winter Garden Code Sec. 118-1226 Mobile home park definitions (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  25. Florida Department of Health in Orange County, Environmental Health (orange.floridahealth.gov)
  26. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Water Well Contractor Licensing and Permitting (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Winter Garden Code Sec. 90-75 Manufactured homes (floods) (Winter Garden), quoted and re-checked
  29. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  30. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Winter Garden

Winter Garden’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings, structures and trade work inside Winter Garden city

    • One building permit is issued to the contractor/builder of record and covers trades; subcontractors listed on the application
    • Nonrefundable deposit collected at application submittal
    “on all buildings, structures, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas systems or alterations requiring a permit, a nonrefundable deposit that will be applied to the permit shall be collected at the time of permit application submittal”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Winter Garden city

    • Includes Appendix J, Appendix Q Tiny Houses and Appendix W of the Florida Building Code, Residential, and the National Electric Code; as amended by the Florida Building Commission
    • Amended by Ord. No. 26-08, 3-12-26
    “there is adopted by the city for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the construction, alteration, removal, demolition, equipment, inspection, use and occupancy”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Winter Garden city limits

    • Chapter 118 Zoning establishes districts such as R-1A, R-1B, R-1, R-2, R-4, R-5, R-NC.
    “The R-1A single-family residential district is intended to be low-density residential”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts in Winter Garden city

    • Districts in code include R-1A, R-1B, R-1, R-2, R-4, R-5, R-NC, RNC-2; zoning map not reviewed
    “The R-1A single-family residential district is intended to be low-density residential”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R-1A single-family residential district, Winter Garden city

    • Units constructed after October 1, 1998

    minimum living area: >= 1800 sq ft

    “each residential unit constructed in this zoning district after october 1, 1998, must have at least 1,800 square feet of living area.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family lots in R-2 residential district, Winter Garden city

    • Lot width 75 feet at building front setback line; lot depth 100 feet

    lot area: >= 7500 sq ft

    “a. lot width: 75 feet at building front setback line; b. lot depth: 100 feet; c. lot area: not less than 7,500 square feet; and”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Single-family in R-1A district, Winter Garden city

    • Side is ten feet each; rear is 20 percent of depth of lot
    • Corner lots need 15 feet along the side street under Sec. 118-1101

    front yard: >= 30 ft · side yard: >= 10 ft (each side)

    “(1) single-family. a. front: 30 feet. b. side: ten feet each. c. rear: 20 percent of depth of lot.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Detached accessory buildings and structures in all districts, Winter Garden city (principal building height by district not determined)

    • Attached accessory buildings may not exceed height of principal structure
    • Unless otherwise noted in section

    wall height: <= 9 ft · roof peak: <= 12 ft

    “detached accessory building and structure walls shall not exceed nine feet in height, and roof peaks shall not exceed 12 feet in height unless otherwise noted below.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupied recreational vehicles inside Winter Garden city

    • Dwelling use contemplated in recreational vehicle parks (min. 5 acres, lots at least 2,000 sq ft); camping prohibited on private property
    • Temporary RV lots limited to six continuous months per year; long term lots up to 80 percent of lots with building permits and impact fees
    “recreational vehicle park. a parcel of land where recreational vehicle lots are offered for placement of recreational vehicles for long-term and temporary dwelling use.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Camping on private property and city-owned property inside Winter Garden city

    • Except as permitted in section 118-579 or as may be specifically permitted
    “camping is prohibited on all private property and public property owned or controlled by the city, except as permitted in section 118-579 or except as may be specifically permitted.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile and manufactured homes inside Winter Garden city

    • Mobile home parks regulated under Division 5 of Chapter 118; individual lots shall not be sold
    • Trailers and mobile homes are prohibited as accessory buildings except off-site constructed dwellings on permanent foundation
    • Flood elevation rules apply in Chapter 90
    “a tract of land, under a single ownership, prepared and approved according to the procedures of this division to accommodate ten or more mobile homes.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units inside Winter Garden city

    • Counts toward the two-accessory-building limit with detached garages
    • Total accessory buildings less than 50 percent of principal structure size
    • ADUs require one additional on-site parking space in RNC-2
    • District-specific permissibility not determined

    max accessory buildings per lot: <= 2 buildings

    “no more than two such accessory buildings may be located on any lot, which includes detached garages and accessory dwelling units.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Privies, septic tanks and cesspools inside Winter Garden city

    • Unlawful except as provided in the article; hardship exemption from mandatory sewer connection available under Sec. 78-129(e)
    “except as provided in this article, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the treatment or disposal of wastewater.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Property used for human occupancy abutting a street, alley or right-of-way with a public sanitary sewer inside Winter Garden city

    • Connection required within 90 days after official notice
    • Hardship exemption possible if connection not feasible, granted by the assistant to the city manager for public services, with administrative review by the city commission
    • Water connection rule not found in provided sections

    connection deadline after notice: <= 90 days (isolated hardship exemption)

    “is required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein and to connect such facilities with the proper public sewer in accordance with this article within 90 days after date of official notice to do so.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Manufactured homes installed or replaced in flood hazard areas inside Winter Garden city

    • Permit conditions and elevation certification of lowest floor submitted to the floodplain administrator
    • Chapter 90 flood-resistant development rules; full permit requirements not retrieved
    “upon placement of a manufactured home, certification of the elevation of the lowest floor shall be submitted to the floodplain administrator.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit fees inside Winter Garden city

    • Schedule set by city commission resolution and amendable; actual amounts not retrieved
    “the schedule of building permit fees shall be established by resolution of the city commission and shall be kept on file in the building official's office.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Winter Garden or Orange County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Winter Garden city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Winter Garden city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Winter Garden city
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Winter Garden city
  • Tiny homes — Tiny home occupancy inside Winter Garden city
9 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Winter Garden publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Orange County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Orange County: county rules, score and offices