Frequently Asked Questions
This list is ever-expanding, so check back often! Don’t see your question, or still need clarification? Contact Paulette David at the Town Administrative Office and she will be happy to help or redirect.
Address
Town of Windermere
614 Main Street
Windermere, FL 34786
Administration and Police Department – Bldg 100
Public Works & Code Enforcement – Bldg 200
Agendas
For Council agendas, please go to Government > Meeting Agendas & Minutes > scroll to appropriate meeting date. You can also click
here.
For Board/Committee agendas, please select the appropriate Board/Committee from the Boards & Committees drop down menu on the homepage.
Boathouses
Boat Ramps
The news we’ve all been waiting for… Ramps along the Butler Chain are open!
Residents may purchase a Park Pass from the Town Administrative Office beginning Tuesday, March 28.
There are 3 boat ramps within Windermere.
Conroy onto Lake Down – Public Ramp under Orange County’s jurisdiction.
Fernwood Park onto Lake Butler – Resident-only ramp accessed via code system. We recommend accessing the vehicular gate via Butler Street rather than W 7th Avenue due to maneuverability. Fernwood Park is open from dawn to dusk. Access codes entered prior to dawn or after dusk will not work for either the vehicular or pedestrian gate.
Lake Bessie – Resident-only ramp accessed via key.
Residents may visit the Administration Office located at 614 Main Street to obtain a “Park Pass.” Payment must be done in person, and can be rendered with check, money order, or Visa/MasterCard/Discover (no American Express). We do not accept cash payments. Be sure to bring your completed Park Pass paperwork, payment, and proof of address.
Email or call Paulette David for more information 407-876-2563 ext 5327.
Boat ramp keys and codes are valid from October 1 – September 30 of each year. We do not pro-rate passes, so be sure to get yours early. There is a limit of one key/code per household/family each year.
The $35 Park Pass provides a household with a key to the Lake Bessie Ramp, a code to the Fernwood Park Pedestrian Gate, and a code to the Fernwood Ramp. We do not discount the Park Pass if a resident only wants access to one ramp. Residents who only wish for a code to the Fernwood Pedestrian Gate may obtain one free of charge after completing the necessary paperwork.
Please note, there is no trailer parking at either ramp.
Please verify your business address prior to requesting a key. You can verify your address with Admin, or by visiting the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website. Simply search the applicable address and look under the “Municipality” heading. If the municipality is listed as “Un-Incorporated,” we are unfortunately unable to provide you with a key.
Budget
View the budget for the current year, as well as current and past year’s Certified Annual Financial Reports (“CAFR”) here.
Business Directory
Business Tax Receipts
Only businesses within the incorporated limits of Windermere need to apply. As the majority of “Windermere” addresses are actually outside of the Town-proper/located in “Un-Incorporated Orange County,” please verify your business address prior to filling out the Business Tax Receipt form. You can verify your address with Admin, or by visiting the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website. Simply search the applicable address and look under the “Municipality” heading. If the municipality is listed as “Un-Incorporated,” you do not need a Business License from Windermere!
Please direct any further questions to Theresa Syphers for brick & mortar locations, or Dorothy Burkhalter for home-based businesses.
Occasionally, Orange County will indicate an un-incorporated address needs a Windermere license – we will not issue licenses to un-incorporated addresses! Please make sure you are indicating this is an un-incorporated address, not a Windermere address.
Certified Letters
Town Staff send out dozens of certified letters every week. These can be anything from variance requests, home business license requests, to code violations. If you received a notice from the Post Office that there is a certified letter from the Town waiting for you, we are unable to tell you specifically what it is due to the sheer volume of mail we send out. Thank you for your understanding.
Code
View the Town’s code here.
View Ordinances here.
View Resolutions here.
If you would like to report a violation, please contact the Code Enforcement office: code-enforcement@town.windermere.fl.us.
Code Enforcement is in the office Monday and Wednesday from 9am – 12pm.
You can search building permits here.
Please be sure you are reporting on an address that is within the incorporated limits of Windermere before you call in a violation, as some “Windermere” addresses are not actually within Windermere, and are under the jurisdiction of Orange County. You can verify your address with Admin, or by visiting the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website. Simply search the applicable address and look under the “Municipality” heading. If the municipality is listed as “Un-Incorporated,” it is not within Windermere-proper. If the address is un-incorporated, please contact Orange County.
Communications
In addition to the website, Windermere residents can stay informed via the Town’s official social media accounts:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
NextDoor – “Town of Windermere”
Email alerts
The Town also communicates with residents through our mobile app, quarterly Gazette, and door hangers (door hangers are generally distributed to parcels within a specific radius of a proposed or on-going project).
Elections
Electricity
Electricity is provided by Duke Energy. Please refer any and all questions, and report all problems (including outages and street lamps) to Duke directly. You can do this via Duke’s website, or by calling 1-800-700-8744. The Town cannot report energy issues for individuals, including street lamps.
Farmers Market
Fingerprinting
Food Truck Night
Garage Sales
Click here for permit.
Residents may have 1 sale per address within any 8 month period. Each sale should not last more than 3 consecutive days. Only 6 sales are permitted on any given day. The permit fee is $5. Payment must be done in person, and can be rendered with check, money order, or Visa/MasterCard/Discover (no American Express). We do not accept cash payments.
Residents wishing to advertise their sale within Town limits must do so with Windermere signs. These signs may be picked up from Paulette David in the Town Administrative Office. A $10 deposit (exact cash or check) is to be made at the time of pick up, and will be refunded once the signs are returned. Residents are permitted two of these signs. No balloons, streamers, pinwheels, etc. are to be attached to the signs, and signs are not permitted in the roundabouts.
Email or call Paulette David for more information 407-876-2563 ext 5327.
Please verify you are within the incorporated limits of Windermere before requesting a permit. You can verify your address with Admin, or by visiting the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website. Simply search the applicable address and look under the “Municipality” heading. If the municipality is listed as “Un-Incorporated,” the address is not within Windermere.
Garbage, Recycling, and Yard Waste
Windermere is serviced by Waste Pro. They can be reached at 407-774-0800. Most questions or problems should be reported directly to them.
- New residents needing bins – You should order your recycling bin directly from Waste Pro. Order online here. There is not a specific trash bin for Windermere; you can purchase your own from a home-improvement store. The Town will not reimburse residents for bins.
- Bulk pick up – Pickup of large items such as appliances, furniture, logs, etc. should be coordinated through Waste Pro. Request online here.
- Missed collection – Should be reported directly through Waste Pro. Notify Waste Pro online here.
- Compliments – Send Waste Pro some love here.
Please note, the online report/request service is exclusive to residents of the incorporated Town of Windermere. Please verify you are within the incorporated limits of Windermere before using this service. Residents of Un-Incorporated Orange County with a “Windermere” address who use this service will experience delays and continued missed service, as Waste Pro’s Windermere division is separate from their Orange County division. You can verify your address with the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website. Simply search the applicable address and look under the “Municipality” heading. If the municipality is listed as “Un-Incorporated,” the address is not within Windermere.
Recycling
We love to recycle!
All recycling will be collected curbside and should be in the approved recycling bin provided by Waste Pro. Please place the bin within 3 feet of the curb or roadway by 7am for collection. Unacceptable items will not be picked up.
Acceptable items: all glass bottles and jars, aluminum, metal and tin cans, plastic soda bottles, plastic milk and water jugs and newspaper.
If you have more materials than the bin will hold, then put newspaper in a paper bag and place the bag on top of the recycling bin. Please take a look here to see if what you want to recycle is actually recyclable (coming soon!)
Yard Waste
Must be containerized, bagged or bundled. Bundles should be tied and not exceed 4 feet in length. Each container must be at curbside by 7am, and not to exceed 50 pounds in weight and 32 gallon in size. If larger/heavier, please request a bulk pick-up through Waste Pro.
Unacceptable items will not be picked up (i.e. construction/remodeling materials).
Acceptable items: all vegetable matter resulting from residential yard and landscape maintenance to include tree and shrub trimmings, grass clippings, palm fronds or small tree branches (not to exceed 6 inches in diameter per branch).
Pick up days
Garbage Collection is picked up on Tuesdays & Fridays
Recycling is picked up on Tuesdays
Yard Waste is picked up on Wednesdays
Holidays with no pick up are New Years Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your collection day falls on one of the listed holidays, your collection service will be on your next scheduled pick-up day.
ALL ITEMS MUST BE ON THE CURB BY 7am FOR PICKUP.
If you were missed, please contact Waste Pro directly!
Gazette
The Windermere Gazette is a free, quarterly publication distributed to residents of the Town of Windermere. Free copies are available at the Administrative Office.
If you are interested in advertising in the Gazette, please take a look at our 2023 Advertising Contract. Diane Edwards can answer any additional questions you may have.
Not getting a Gazette? Make sure your address is updated with both the Post Office and the Orange County Property Appraiser. The Town does not address or mail out Gazettes in-house; we use a third party vendor who pulls addresses from the Property Appraiser.
Still not receiving a Gazette? Make sure you’re within the incorporated limits of Windermere. You can verify the address with Admin or by visiting the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website. Simply search the applicable address and look under the “Municipality” heading. If the municipality is listed as “Un-Incorporated,” the address is not within Windermere, and would therefore not receive a Gazette.
Home Business License
Please reach out to Town Clerk, Dorothy Burkhalter (407-876-2563 ext 5323)
Hours of Operation
Town Administrative staff (Administration, Clerk, Communications, and Finance) are in the office Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday from 8am – 5:00pm.
The Windermere Police Department office is open Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm. Windermere PD patrols 24/7. If you require non-emergency assistance outside of business hours, please call (407) 905-6333. Call 911 for all emergencies regardless of time.
Windermere Public Works is in the office Monday – Friday from 7am – 4pm.
Code Enforcement is in the office Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am – 12pm.
Building/Permitting and Zoning will have their own hours. Please reach out to them directly for availability.
Lien Searches
Due to a huge increase in volume, lien and permit searches are now being conducted through Orange Lien. Please submit your request through their portal. All questions should be directed to Orange Lien.
Notary Services
The Town provides notary services to its residents free of charge. There are 5 notaries on staff (Diane, Dorothy, Tara, Theresa, and Danyel) who are happy to notarize and witness your documents! Please be sure to bring in all applicable forms of identification, and witnesses if the document to be notarized indicates. While we can normally accommodate walk ins, please contact one the above for an appointment if your needs are time-sensitive.
Open House Permits
Realtors, please call/email ahead to let us know you are coming *IF POSSIBLE*. Email or call Paulette David 407-876-2563 ext 5327. This will greatly expedite your permit process!
Click here for permit.
The permit fee is $5. Payment must be done in person, and can be rendered with check, money order, or Visa/MasterCard/Discover (no American Express). We do not accept cash payments.
Realtors are permitted 2 signs within Town limits. Each sign will need a sticker indicating they have been approved. These stickers can be obtained from Diane or Lilian in the Town Administrative Office. Stickers must be on the front and back of each sign. Signs without stickers will be removed and disposed of. No balloons, streamers, pinwheels, etc. are to be attached to the signs, and signs are not permitted in the roundabouts.
Please verify the address is within the incorporated limits of Windermere before requesting a permit. You can verify the address with Admin, or by visiting the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website. Simply search the applicable address and look under the “Municipality” heading. If the municipality is listed as “Un-Incorporated,” the address is not within Windermere.
Park Rentals
We do not rent out parks.
We do rent the two pavilions located at the Windermere Recreation Center. Please note, 14 days’/2 weeks’ notice is require in most instances. Also note, the Town does not rent the pavilions for business purposes: day camps, fitness classes, etc. may not use the pavilions or parks for profit. Click here for more information on renting a pavilion.
If you are planning to hold an event at a Town Park that meets any of the following criteria, you will need to request a SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT. The permit fee is $50 and is non-refundable, even if the application is denied. Payment is to be made with Diane Edwards at the Administrative Office, and can be rendered with check, money order, or Visa/MasterCard/Discover (no American Express) prior to processing. We do not accept cash payments.
- More than 50 attendees
- Temporary structures such as bounce houses or tents (currently not being approved)
- More than 20 vehicles
- Entertainment such as live music, performances, petting zoos, films, etc.
Click here for a detailed list of all Town parks, including photos and amenities.
Permitting
Building and zoning permitting is handled off-site.
For building permits, please contact PDCS (407-277-9795)
Paperwork and deposits for PDCS can be dropped off at the Town Admin Office. You can request your completed permit be sent to Windermere for pick up as well. Please coordinate the pick up location through PDCS.
Occasionally, there will be a permit fee due before the permit can be released. This fee can be paid at the Town Admin office but must be done with a check (made out to “Town of Windermere”)! We do not accept cash or credit card payments for this at the Town office. Please confirm the amount with PDCS prior to arrival. If you need to pay with a card, please coordinate with PDCS prior to pick up.
For zoning, please contact Wade Trim (813-882-4373)
Wade Trim also can provide Right of Way Use Application. There are two fees associated with this applications $75 permit fee, and a $50 inspection fee. Please bring a check or money order to the Town of Windermere for payment along with the completed ROWUA. The $125 may be on the same check/money order. We do not accept cash or card for this permit fee.
Public Records Requests
Please send your request to Clerk Dorothy Burkhalter
Tennis Member Passes & Keys
We have two tennis courts exclusively for Town of Windermere Residents. The first is located on Main Street (“Park Among the Lakes”). The second is located at the Windermere Recreation Center (“Butler Bay”). The same key unlocks both courts.
Tennis keys are $25. Payment must be done in person, and can be rendered with check, money order, or Visa/MasterCard/Discover (no American Express). We do not accept cash payments. Be sure to bring your completed form, payment, and proof of address.
Tennis keys are valid from October 1 – September 30 of each year. We do not pro-rate passes, so be sure to get yours early. There is a limit of one key per household/family each year. If you lose your key, we will not replace it, but there is a loaner key available upon request.
Email or call Paulette David for more information 407-876-2563 ext 5327.
Please verify your business address prior to requesting a key. You can verify your address with Admin, or by visiting the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website. Simply search the applicable address and look under the “Municipality” heading. If the municipality is listed as “Un-Incorporated,” we are unfortunately unable to provide you with a key.
Town Events
Town Boundaries
Windermere is approximately 2.2 square miles, with just 1,600 parcels as of the last census. The zip code for Windermere is much larger, with approximately 30,000 parcels.
Sometimes there is confusion regarding who is and who isn’t a Windermere resident. Only those who live within the incorporated, 2.2 square mile limits of the Town are considered residents. The reason some people have a “Windermere” address even though they aren’t actually in Windermere is due to the post office which sorts the mail. Such addresses don’t pay taxes to Windermere, are not eligible to vote in Windermere elections, are not serviced by Windermere PD or Public Works, and are not entitled to resident benefits such as keys to the tennis courts and boat ramps, or subsidized rental rates.
You can verify your address with the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website. Simply search the applicable address and look under the “Municipality” heading. If the municipality is listed as “Un-Incorporated,” it’s not actually within Windermere.
View the Town boundaries here.
Town Hall Rentals
Click here for more information regarding Town Hall rentals, including fees and photos.
Generally, we require 30 days notice to book. We may not be able to accommodate requests made less than 30 days prior to the event.
Please note, only residents of the incorporated Town of Windermere qualify for resident rates. Those outside of the boundaries, even if their address shows “Windermere” will pay the non-resident rate. You can verify your address with the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website. Simply search the applicable address and look under the “Municipality” heading. If the municipality is listed as “Un-Incorporated,” it will not qualify for the resident rate.
Tree Removal
Tree Removal Permit Application
- Per FL Statute 163.045:
Tree pruning, trimming, or removal on residential property.—
(1) A local government may not require a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on residential property if the property owner obtains documentation from an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree presents a danger to persons or property.
(2) A local government may not require a property owner to replant a tree that was pruned, trimmed, or removed in accordance with this section.
You do not need to turn in either report to the Town offices, but please keep a copy on hand in case Town Staff requests to see them. Generally, this happens when potential code violations are called in.
If you are trying to remove a tree for a reason not listed in FL Statute 163.045, please contact the Administrative Office 407-876-2563 ext 5327.
Utilities
Public utilities are as follows:
Waste Collection – Waste Pro
Energy – Duke Energy
Water – Windermere does not provide water or sewage. Residents either have personal wells/septic tanks, or are hooked up to Orange County Utilities. If you are interested in installing a new water line through Orange County, please send an email to Diane Edwards. She will place a request with Orange County for further information.
Gas – Lake Apopka Natural Gas
Cable/Internet/Phone – There is no specific vendor the Town has a contract with to provide cable, internet, or phone access to residents. Residents are encouraged to “shop around” to find a vendor who fits their needs and budget.
Water
Windermere does not provide water or sewage services. Residents either have personal wells/septic tanks, or are hooked up to Orange County Utilities. If you are interested in installing a water main with Orange County, please send an email to Diane Edwards that contains the following:
1. Resident name, address, and contact info (phone AND email)
2. Requestor name and contact info (phone AND email)
3. Service requested (water, water and sewage, etc.)
Diane will place a request with Orange County for further information. Orange County will then reach out to the requestor directly. Diane cannot give an estimate on the cost for OC hook ups.
If you are a homeowner or renter who already has a county water hookup and simply needs to turn on the service, please reach out to Orange County Utilities directly. The Town is not able to assist.