How to demolish a house in Winter Garden, FL
In Winter Garden, residential demolition permits are issued by the City of Winter Garden Building Division (application: Demolition Permit Application (rev. 09.15.2026)). If the house is a designated landmark or sits in a local historic district, review by the Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board (ARHPB) comes first.
Demolition permit steps in Winter Garden
Step 1
Get all utility and department sign-offs listed on the application.
Step 2
Submit the application with the asbestos notification form and photos.
Step 3
Schedule the Preliminary (Pre-Demolition) Inspection; it must be approved before demolition begins.
Step 4
Demolish and remove all debris.
Step 5
Schedule the Final Building Inspection to close the permit.
Documents Winter Garden asks for
| Document | What it is |
|---|---|
| Demolition Permit Application | With all utility approvals and sign-offs. [1] |
| Asbestos Notification form | Required with every application. [1] |
| Photos of the structure and site | Front, rear and side views. [1] |
| Cable and phone notice confirmation | Letter on company letterhead confirming Spectrum and the phone company (Lumen) were notified at least 15 days before the demolition start date. [2] |
If the house is historic in Winter Garden
Who reviews it: Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board (ARHPB).
When it applies
- Any structure within the Historic Downtown District overlay (Code Ch. 98, Art. VII). Demolition, partial demolition, alteration or new construction requires a certificate of approval (s. 98-190(1)); no structure in the district may be demolished in whole or part without ARHPB approval (s. 98-194(1)).
How the review works
- Pre-application conference with the city is recommended (s. 98-190(2)).
- Staff review within 15 business days of a complete application, then ARHPB decision at a noticed public meeting (s. 98-190(3), (4)).
- Property posted with a sign at least 10 consecutive days before the ARHPB meeting for demolition or relocation requests (s. 98-191(2)(c)).
- ARHPB acts within 60 days of a complete application unless waived (s. 98-190(9)).
- Waiting period after approval for a contributing structure (or one under consideration for contributing status): up to 90 days, extendable by ARHPB to 6 months and once by the City Commission up to 90 more days; reducible for extreme hardship (s. 98-194(3)).
- Building permit for the replacement must be approved before the demolition permit issues; for contributing structures, all site plans must be approved (s. 98-194(7)).
- Appeal to City Commission within 15 days (s. 98-190(11)).
What the board can ask for
- Photographs, elevations, site plans, floor plans and material samples as appropriate; for demolition, details of the proposed disposition of the site, and ARHPB may require drawings or financial plans for new construction (s. 98-190(6)).
- Before demolition, every approved contributing structure must be documented to the Florida Division of Historic Resources Documentation Requirements for Buildings Proposed for Demolition and Standards for Architectural Documentation, usually dimensioned drawings, photographs and written data, filed with the city (s. 98-194(8)).
- Economic hardship evidence (marketability, engineer or architect report, cost estimates, two certified appraisals) if claimed; not required for residential non-income-producing property or accessory structures (s. 98-194(4)).
- Definite reuse plans with funding commitment and timeframe (s. 98-194(1)(g)).
Demolition delay: Up to 90 days, extendable to 6 months by ARHPB and once by City Commission up to 90 more days (s. 98-194(3)). ARHPB may also issue a certificate with a deferred effective date up to 6 months for a significant building (s. 98-190(8)(d)).
Relocation, salvage and donation: During the waiting period ARHPB may negotiate with the owner and others to preserve the property, including acquisition by gift, purchase or exchange (s. 98-194(3)). No salvage or donation rule found.
Utilities, asbestos, septic and trees in Winter Garden
The office that issues it
State rules apply on top of the local ones
The asbestos notice, septic and well abandonment, owner-builder limits and the Notice of Commencement come from state law. See the Florida rules that apply to every demolition.
Straight answers
Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Winter Garden?
Yes. Residential demolition in Winter Garden is permitted through the City of Winter Garden Building Division.
Who can pull a demolition permit in Winter Garden?
Owner and contractor sign; both signatures notarized (physical presence or online). By signing they certify the structure is unoccupied, all utilities are disconnected, and it is ready for demolition.
What if my house is historic in Winter Garden?
If the house is a local landmark or in a local historic district, Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board (ARHPB) reviews the demolition before a permit can issue. Up to 90 days, extendable to 6 months by ARHPB and once by City Commission up to 90 more days (s. 98-194(3)). ARHPB may also issue a certificate with a deferred effective date up to 6 months for a significant building (s. 98-190(8)(d)).
Do I need an asbestos survey to demolish a house in Winter Garden?
Winter Garden: FBC s. 105.9 asbestos notification statement on every demolition permit; residential buildings of four or fewer units may qualify for exemptions unless part of a larger project; confirm with Orange County EPD (407-836-1400, 3165 McCrory Place, Suite 200, Orlando 32803). Orange County is one of eight FDEP local asbestos programs. County EPD guidance: essentially all buildings are subject to the asbestos NESHAP except some single-family residences; single-family homes that will be burned, were used as a business, or are part of a larger project with other houses or businesses on the same site are subject. Call EPD at 407-836-1400 before relying on the residential building exemption. Subject buildings must be thoroughly inspected (generally a survey by a Florida licensed asbestos consultant), a Notice of Demolition or Asbestos Renovation is required even if no asbestos is found, RACM must be abated by a licensed asbestos contractor before demolition, and notices are due at least 10 working days before work starts. see the Florida rules on our residential demolition page for the state rule.
Can Brightview handle the demolition in Winter Garden?
Yes. Brightview Homes (CRC1334100) pulls the permit under its Florida contractor license and runs the asbestos survey and notice, utility disconnects, historic documentation when it applies, tear-down, haul-off and final inspection. Demolition is quoted per job, typically $12,000 to $24,000.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the official sources below, read on the date shown. Rules change; the building department has the final word.
- Demolition, City of Winter Garden
https://wgfl.gov/300/Demolition - Demolition Permit Application rev. 09.15.2026
https://wgfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/693/Demolition-Permit - Winter Garden Code Ch. 98 Art. VII Historic Downtown District Overlay (ss. 98-186 to 98-198)
https://library.municode.com/fl/winter_garden/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH98PLDE_ARTVIICIWIGAHIDODIOV - https://wgfl.gov/355/Historic-District
https://wgfl.gov/355/Historic-District - https://bsaonline.com/Contractors/?uid=3123
https://bsaonline.com/Contractors/?uid=3123
What we could not confirm in published sources
Ask the building department about these before you plan around them.
- Demolition permit fee and review time.
- Septic and tree requirements for demolition were not stated on the demolition page.
- Older city page text (cwgdn.com) says permits may issue over the counter; the current page requires a pre-demolition inspection first.
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- Residential Demolition