Permits & Passes

Jump to Park Pass (Fernwood & Bessie Ramp), Fernwood Pedestrian Access Pass, Tennis Pass

Permits, Passes, & Applications

Please contact the appropriate department below for more information on specific permits or passes. If you are unsure who you should reach out to, please email reception@town.windermere.fl.us and a staff member who is able to assist you will respond within 24 business hours.

Administration – Lilian Colli

 

614 Main Street, Building 100

Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm

407-876-2563 ext. 5327

 

Film Permit

Garage Sale

Open House

Special Event Permit

Public Works – Paulette David

 

614 Main Street, Building 200

Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm
(closed daily 12pm – 1pm for lunch)

407-876-2563 ext. 5333

 

Park Pass

Fernwood Pedestrian Pass

Tennis Member Pass

Tree Removal Application (Please contact Paulette)

Other

 

Building Permits

Committee / Board Application

Farmer’s Market

Food Trucks

Solicitation Permit please contact Danyel Hylton

Tennis Leagues please contact Diane Edwards

Town Hall Rentals

Windermere Rec Center Pavilion Rentals

 

Park Pass for Fernwood & Bessie Ramps

1) Property owners and residents of the Town of Windermere may launch and recover boats within the Town from Town property providing they have obtained a Park Pass, which must be renewed annually. The pass must be displayed on the dashboard of a vehicle.(Required)
2) The annual Park Pass may be obtained upon payment of a fee to the Town in an amount to be established by resolution of the Town Council. Unless and until the Town Council adopts a resolution establishing new fees, the Park Pass fee amount shall be $35.00, which includes a key to the Lake Bessie Boat Ramp, and codes to both the Fernwood Park Pedestrian Gate and the Fernwood Park Boat Ramp. There is no discounted rate for residents wishing for access to only one ramp or for residents renewing late in the year. The passes shall be renewed each year by a date set by resolution of the Town Council. Unless and until the Town Council adopts a resolution changing the renewal date, Park Passes shall be renewed each year by October 1.(Required)
3) Boat launching and recovery locations are: (i) Seventh Avenue at Butler Street at Fernwood Park, and (ii) Ninth Avenue at Lake Bessie. It is unlawful for a boat to be launched or recovered from any Town property by any resident or property owner of the Town, except at these two places or the public Orange County ramp located on E 6th Avenue on Lake Down. Nonresidents or nonowners of property in the Town shall not launch or recover a boat from Town property except from the public Orange County ramp located on E 6th Avenue on Lake Down.(Required)
4) The gates to the boat launching areas are kept locked and a key/code will be issued with each pass. Replacement keys/codes are available for $5.00 each. Property owners and residents are responsible for closing and locking the gates after use.(Required)
5) It is unlawful for any boat trailer to be parked on any Town-owned property or road right-of-way within the Town limits, unless such parking is authorized in writing by the Town Manager. Unauthorized boat-trailer parking shall be punished by a minimum fine of $100.00 and a maximum fine not to exceed $200.00.(Required)

Park passes & keys/Codes are for the use of Windermere residents only and may not be copied or loaned to any person other than a member of the applicant’s household, even if he or she is a town resident. The Town has access to information showing the frequency of the use of an individual access code. Violation of the rules will result in the following: (Please read and acknowledge each statement)

VIOLATION 1: Should a non-member of the applicant’s household be in possession of the applicant’s key, code, or pass without prior authorization of the Town, such key, code, and/or pass will be confiscated, and the applicant’s household will not be eligible for renewal for 1 year from date of the offense.(Required)
VIOLATION 2: Should a non-member of the applicant’s household be in possession of the applicant’s key, code, or pass without prior authorization of the Town, such key, code, and/or pass will be confiscated, and the applicant’s household will not be eligible for renewal for 2 years from the date of the offense.(Required)
VIOLATION 3: Should a non-member of the applicant’s household be in possession of the applicant’s key, code, or pass without prior authorization of the Town, such key, code, and/or pass will be confiscated. Furthermore, that applicant’s household will be precluded from obtaining a pass for 2 years from the date of offense, and the non-resident will be trespassed from the town boat ramp areas for a period of 1 year.(Required)

Please complete the following information

Name(Required)
Address(Required)

By virtually signing below, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms set forth above, and you consent to provide proof of residency and your current park pass should you be asked to by Windermere staff.

 

Fernwood Pedestrian Pass Form

1) Property owners and residents of the Town of Windermere may obtain a Pedestrian Gate Access Code for the Fernwood Boat Ramp.(Required)
2) Residents who only wish for a pedestrian gate code at Fernwood will be provided with one for no charge. The passes shall be renewed each year by a date set by resolution of the Town Council. Unless and until the Town Council adopts a resolution changing the renewal date, Park Passes shall be renewed each year by October 1.(Required)

Access codes are for the use of Windermere residents only, and may not be loaned or provided to any person other than a member of your household, even if he or she is a town resident. Violation of the rules may result in the following (please read and acknowledge each statement):

VIOLATION 1: In the event a non-member of the applicant’s household is in possession of the applicant’s Access Code to the Fernwood Pedestrian Gate without prior authorization of the Town, the Access Code will be voided, and the applicant’s household will not be eligible for renewal for 1 year from the date of the offense.(Required)
VIOLATION 2: In the event a non-member of the applicant’s household is in possession of the applicant’s Access Code to the Fernwood Pedestrian Gate without prior authorization of the Town for a second time, the Access Code will be voided, and the applicant’s household will not be eligible for renewal for 2 years from the date of the offense.(Required)

The Fernwood Pedestrian Gate access code is limited to the pedestrian entrance gate. The code cannot be used to access the vehicular gate. The Town has access to information showing the frequency of the use of an individual access code

Please complete the following information

Name(Required)
Address(Required)

Please virtually sign and date below acknowledging that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms above and that you consent to provide proof of residency at any time you are asked by a staff member of the Town of Windermere.

MM slash DD slash YYYY

 

Tennis Pass

1) Property owners and residents of the Town of Windermere may be Tennis Members. Tennis Members and their guests may use the Town tennis courts, but only for recreational play.(Required)
2) A Town property owner or Town resident is a Tennis Member only if he, she or his or her family has a current annual tennis court use pass. A per-family tennis court use pass fee in an amount to be set annually by resolution of the Town Council will be paid directly to the Town. Unless and until new fees are established by resolution of the Town Council, the tennis court use pass fee shall be $25.00. The passes shall be renewable each year by a date set by resolution of the Town Council. Unless and until the Town Council adopts a resolution changing the renewal date, tennis court use passes shall be renewable on or before October 1.(Required)
3) The gates to the tennis courts will be locked and a key will be issued with each pass. Replacement keys are available for $5.00 each. Tennis Members are responsible for locking the tennis court gate after use.(Required)
4) The following court rules will apply: (i) tennis shoes only, no black soles, will be worn while on the courts; (ii) shirts must be worn at all times; (iii) no glass containers or alcoholic beverages allowed on the courts; (iv) no animals, skating, bicycles, skateboards, roller blades etc. on the courts; (v) players are limited one hour if other players are waiting or a maximum of two hours; (vi) a guest must play with a Tennis Member; (vii) a Tennis Member and his or her guest may play on only one court at a time; and (viii) the last Tennis Member exiting the courts must lock the gate to secure the courts.(Required)
5) League play is addressed separately in the Town of Windermere League Play Regulation and Agreement.(Required)
6) A Tennis Member may have an outside professional coach for individual lessons, provided the above regulations are observed; one Tennis Member per court. The rule of first come, first served, will be observed by all Tennis Members. A Tennis Member cannot reserve a court for their individual tennis lesson. A professional coach must be a Tennis Member to coach a person that is not a property owner or resident of the Town.(Required)

Tennis court use passes and keys are for the use of Windermere residents only, and may not be copied or loaned. Violation of the rules will result in the following (please read and acknowledge each statement):

VIOLATION 1: Should a non-member of an applicant’s household be in possession of the applicant’s key and/or pass to the tennis courts without prior authorization of the Town, such key and/or pass will be confiscated and the applicant’s household will not be eligible for renewal for 1 year from the date of the offense.(Required)
VIOLATION 2: Should a non-member of the applicant’s household be in possession of the applicant’s key or pass to the tennis courts without prior authorization of the Town for a second time, such key and/or pass will be confiscated and the applicant’s household will not be eligible for renewal for 2 years from the date of the offense.(Required)
VIOLATION 3: Should a non-member of the applicant’s household possess a forged, counterfeit or duplicate key and/or pass, the key and/or pass will be confiscated as well as the applicant’s key and pass. Furthermore, that applicant’s household will be precluded from obtaining a pass for 2 years from the date of offense, and the non-resident will be trespassed from the tennis courts for a period of 1 year.(Required)
Additionally, any person violating the rules set forth above may be punished by a fine not to exceed $200.00.(Required)

Please complete the following information

Name(Required)
Address(Required)

By virtually signing below, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms set forth above, and you consent to provide proof of residency and your current tennis court use pass should you be asked by Windermere staff while using the Town tennis courts.

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Updates to Park Pass & Tennis Pass

BEGINNING MONDAY, JULY 3RD

 

Park Passes (boat ramps) & Tennis Passes will be handled by Public Works.

 

The process is the same, however, instead of coming to 614 Main Street, Building 100, residents should report to the Public Works located at 614 Main Street Building 200. Public Works is open to the public Monday – Friday from 8am until 4pm (closed 12pm – 1pm for lunch). As before, payments should be made with check or money order made out to the Town of Windermere, or with a Visa/MasterCard/Discover. We still do not accept cash or American Express.

 

If you have questions about the above, please contact Public Works Administrative Assistant, Paulette David: 407-876-2563 ext 5333 or email.

Park Passes

As of April 28, 2023 – Access to Bessie & Fernwood will Require a Park Pass

There are three ramps located within the incorporated limits of the Town of Windermere:

  • Public, Orange County Ramp on E 6th/Conroy onto Lake Down
  • Resident-Only Ramp at Fernwood Park (Lake Butler) – we recommend accessing the vehicular gate via Butler Street rather than W 7th Avenue due to maneuverability
  • Resident-Only Ramp at Lake Bessie

Passes are $35 and will include a key to the Lake Bessie Ramp, a unique code to the Fernwood Park Ramp and/or Pedestrian Gate. Passes are not discounted if access to only one ramp is desired. There is no charge for residents wishing to obtain a Fernwood Pedestrian Gate code only. 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.

In order to expedite the process, please arrive to the Administrative office prepared with the 3 Ps: PAPERWORK, PROOF OF RESIDENCE, AND PAYMENT.

Download, print, and fill out the Park Pass paperwork.

We are located at 614 Main Street, and are open to the public Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm.  Please note, we do not accept American Express or cash.

Please reach out to Paulette with any questions 407-876-2563 ext 5327.

Park Pass FAQs

Q. How do I get a Park Pass?

A. The information in the section above will give you the steps you need to take to obtain a Park Pass.

 

Q. Why won’t my code work during certain times of the day?

A. As noticed at the park, Fernwood Park’s hours are dawn until dusk. The gate is currently programmed to be unlocked during the hours of 7am and 8:30pm. As sunrise and sunset times change, so will the gate times. Keeping the gates locked during the hours after dusk until dawn helps to lessen the impact of bad behaviors previously experienced at the park. These behaviors were not just limited to the ramp, but included reports of drinking and partying at the park itself.

If your code does not work during normal operating hours, please call 407-876-2563 ext 5327, or visit our Administrative Office located at 614 Main Street. Staff will be happy to reset the code for you.

 

Q. Why do I have to pay for a pass if I don’t have a boat?

A. Access to Fernwood Park via the Pedestrian Gate is free. Residents wishing to access Fernwood Park via the Vehicular Gate must pay the $35 fee. We currently do not have a way to distinguish vehicles that will be launching a boat vs. vehicles that are just visiting the park. Town Staff will take direction from Town Council regarding any changes that need to be made in reference to this.

 

Q. The Vehicular Gate is at a tight angle, how can I access the gate without damaging it or my trailer?

A. Staff recommends entering Fernwood Park via Butler Street when towing a trailer rather than via W 7th Avenue.

 

Q. I paid for a Park Pass, but I don’t have a key to the Bessie Boat Ramp. How do I get one without having to pay again?

A. If you purchased your Park Pass while Town Staff was waiting for new Bessie Ramp keys to be cut, simply come to the Administrative Office during normal business hours to pick up your Bessie Ramp key.

 

Q. I was told that as a pedestrian, I need to use the Pedestrian Gate when arriving on foot/bike even though I paid for the Vehicular Gate. Why is that?

A. The motor on the Vehicular Gate has to work overtime when used for both vehicular and foot traffic. By diverting pedestrian traffic to the Pedestrian Gate, we extend the life of the Vehicular Gate’s motor and delay replacement. Keep in mind that replacing the motor could potentially lead to park closures.

 

Q. How do I find out about ramp closures or other important updates?

A. The best way to keep on top of news regarding ramp/park closures and updates is to download the Town of Windermere app on your phone. The Town makes staying informed easy; in addition to the app, information is posted on our website and social media, as well as in the Gazette. Click here for all the ways you can stay informed about what’s happening in Town and on the water.

 

Q. Who do I contact if I have additional questions regarding the Park Pass or boat ramps?

A. Please call our main office line 407-876-2563 ext 5327 and our Administrative Assistant will be happy to assist you. You can also visit our office, located at 614 Main Street, Monday – Friday from 8am to 4:30pm.

 

Q. Where do I report inappropriate behavior at the park or lakes?

A. Please call 911 for all emergencies. If you witness(ed) illegal, dangerous, or otherwise inappropriate behavior on the water, please contact Orange County Sheriff’s Office (407-254-7000) and/or Florida Fish and Wildlife (888-404-3922): they have jurisdiction on the water. For instances on the shoreline or at the park, please call the non-emergency line to have Windermere Police dispatched to the location/to take a report: 407-905-6333. Alternately, you can fill out this form online and we will forward your complaint to the appropriate agency.