Code Enforcement

Commom Violations

FENCES Fences can not be over 3 feet in height in front or street side yards or 6 feet in height in side or rear yards and must be kept in good repair. Fences must be constructed of approved materials. Use of materials such as barbed wire, razor wire and electrified fencing are prohibited within residentially zoned areas. DIVISION 7. FENCES, BUFFERS
DERELICT/INOPERABLE VEHICLES A derelict/inoperable vehicle is a vehicle that does not display a current license tag and/or is not equipped with all parts that are required to legally and safely operate on public streets and/or can not be driven under its own power. Derelict/inoperable vehicles cannot be stored except in a fully enclosed, legally constructed building. ARTICLE III. IMPOUNDMENT
OPEN STORAGE Open storage is prohibited. Generally, any equipment, materials or furnishings that would ordinarily not be used outdoors may not be stored outdoors. For example, you may not keep indoor furniture, household appliances, autoparts or building materials outside.
MINIMUM HOUSING STANDARDS All wood, siding, shingles, roof covering, railings, walls, ceilings, porches, doors, windows, screens and any other exterior parts of residential structures must be maintained in weather-tight, rodent proof, sound condition and in good repair. Interior walls, ceilings, floors, doors and hardware must be in sound condition and in good repair. Electrical, heating and plumbing fixtures shall be installed in accordance with local codes and maintained in good and safe repair. Chapter 18 BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS*
UNSECURED STRUCTURES Structures which are open and unprotected as a result of the omission or disrepair of windows, doors, walls or other enclosures are required to be secured or boarded up. The City has specifications for boarding up, which is allowed until repairs are completed, not to exceed 120 days. Sec. 118-208. Unsafe buildings or structures
YARD MAINTENANCE STANDARDS Yard maintenance includes any untended growth in excess and maintenance of plant material in any right-of-way abutting the property. DIVISION 2. PUBLIC NUISANCES
JUNK, TRASH & DEBRIS Junk, trash and debris are prohibited from being left in the yard and must be disposed of properly. This includes, but is not limited to, junk, auto parts, appliances, furniture, building materials, tires, trash such as discarded paper, cardboard, plastics, etc., and debris such as tree trimmings and fallen limbs. DIVISION 2. PUBLIC NUISANCES
PROHIBITED BUSINESSES Most businesses are not allowed to operate in residential areas as they disrupt residents and neighborhoods. This means that car and boat repairs, construction of cabinets and furniture and other activities that are not normally carried on in a residential district are prohibited. Remember, engaging in a business requires a local business tax receipt. ARTICLE IV. OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE TAX*
SIGNS The sign regulations deal with prohibited signs, abandoned conforming and non-conforming signs, and signs placed within public rights-of-way. Signage prohibited by the sign regulations includes, but is not limited to, banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, and fluttering devices designed to attract attention, portable signs, temporary point of purchase signs, and signs on vehicles. Chapter 102 SIGNS
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES/EQUIPMENT It is unlawful for any person to park any commercial vehicle, such as semi-trucks and/or trailers, either as one unit or separately, wreckers, tow trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, bucket trucks and the like, in any residentially zoned areas within the city. The parking or storage of construction equipment is also prohibited in residentially zoned areas except on property where the sale, rental, servicing or storage of construction equipment is a conditional use or on property where a building permit has been issued and construction is actually in progress. DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
PARKING Motor homes, campers, boats, trailers, etc. may be parked upon the owner’s own residential premises as long as they are within applicable setbacks and are not parked in the front yards, street side yards or public rights-of-way. DIVISION 2. PARKING VIOLATIONS

“Providing for the health, safety and welfare of the Winter Garden
Community through education and citizen cooperation.”

Mission / Goal:

It is our goal to work diligently with the residential and business communities to maintain compliance with city ordinance. Our focus is protecting the health, safety and welfare of the overall Winter Garden community through fair equitable and effective enforcement of city ordinances. This is achieved by promoting voluntary compliance through education and information. Our efforts will include; information disseminates counseling on compliance or corrective measures, traditional and proven enforcement programs and working towards innovative programs and ideas to help residents on compliance.

Background:

The City of Winter Garden Housing Code is to protect property values, quality on neighborhood character and the safety and well-being of citizens. The codes encompass a variety on issues to include defining nuisance violations, housing code violations, as well as zoning regulations. Examples of nuisance conditions includes accumulation of trash on property or property that has not been maintained and is overgrown, as well as the storage of inoperable or abandoned vehicles. An example of zoning violations include, parking or storing dual rear wheel vehicles in residential areas, signage issues, the location of type of businesses and more. Housing code includes minimum standards and maintenance of existing structures for the health, safety and welfare of all residents.

Process:

The Code Enforcement Department uses a variety of processes to gain voluntary compliance. Education through speaking with citizens and providing information on ordinances is one way the division sees compliance with codes. Other methods in providing notices of existing violations to the appropriate party and the measures needed to correct a violation. Property inspections for violations are prompted by various sources. Inspectors respond to complaints from citizens, as well as proactive patrol neighborhoods for issues that may require their attention.

When voluntary compliance is not gained after information and notice has been given there are two formal processes that are utilized by the department. One process is citation process in which a set fine is issued and either paid or contested in County Court. The other process involves presenting the case at a public hearing which is Code Enforcement Board. This Board can consider imposing fines for violations that are not corrected. These processes are reserved for when compliance with the city code cannot be gained.

The City of Winter Garden also has abatement processes for certain types of conditions. Theses processes allow the city to remedy violations and alleviate the nuisance for the surrounding neighbors when voluntary compliance is not obtained. This would include the towing of an inoperable or abandoned vehicle from a yard, having a property mowed that was overgrown with an excessive accumulation of grass and weeds. As with all our processes, a notice with information of the ordinance, type of violation and a reasonable time and opportunity to correct the violation is always first, before any formal or abatement process is initiated.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The most common violations are illegal parking of inoperable vehicles and failure to mow and clean up junk and trash.

• Any structural repairs, re-roofing and most plumbing and electrical work can require a permit. Please call the Building Inspection/Permitting Division at (407) 656-4111 ext 2245 for more information.

• Any business located within the city limits requires City and Orange County Business Tax receipt (Occupational licenses). Please call the Local Business Tax Division at (407) 656-4111 ext. 2291 for more information.

• A setback is a required amount of area between the property line and where items may be located, i.e. sheds, RVs, boats, etc. Setbacks vary according to the particular zoning and location of the property.

• The City can clean and clear vacant lots after the required legal notification is made to the owner.

• The City can address unsafe residential buildings through demolition under the Standard Housing Code.

• Code Enforcement Officers routinely attend neighborhood association meetings to review and explain code requirements. If you would like an officer at your next meeting, please call
(407) 656-4111 ext 2633.

The CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION ensures compliance with the City’s codes and ordinances relating to housing, overgrowth, open storage/care of premises, zoning, disabled/abandoned vehicles, minimum maintenance for commercial structures, signage, and news racks. Violators are provided time to correct violations and administrative hearings are scheduled for those that are not corrected. The Division’s Code Enforcement Officers are each responsible for different areas/districts of the city.