Building permits and zoning in Horizon West

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Facts on this page come from Orange County’s permits page, its Zoning Division, Division of Building Safety and Horizon West planning page.

Horizon West has no city building department. It is unincorporated Orange County, so the county issues every building permit, sets the zoning and runs the inspections. Most applications go in online through the county’s Fast Track Online Services. Call Permitting Services at 407-836-5550 with questions.

Who to call

• Building permits and inspections: Permitting Services and Division of Building Safety, 407-836-5550, PermittingServices@ocfl.net
• Fences, RV storage, pavers, garage sales: Zoning Division, 407-836-3111, zoning@ocfl.net
• Fast Track online help: 407-836-8160
• Horizon West planning and rezoning: Planning Division, 407-836-5321, planning@ocfl.net
• Tree removal: Zoning Division Arbor Office, 407-836-5807
• Fire permits only: Office of the Fire Marshal, 407-836-0004

Where to go

Permitting Services, the Division of Building Safety and the Zoning Division share the first floor of the Orange County Administration Building, 201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando. The Zoning Division sees visitors by appointment only, booked at least 24 hours ahead.

The Office of the Fire Marshal, which handles fire permits only, is at 7079 University Blvd., Winter Park.

Building permits

The Division of Building Safety reviews plans, issues permits and inspects work under the Florida Building Code, the National Electrical Code and the county’s construction rules. That covers new homes, additions, repairs and electrical, solar, plumbing, gas and air conditioning work.

How it works:

1. Check the county’s Do I need a permit? page.
2. Register for a Fast Track account; the county posts registration instructions and training videos.
3. Upload plans and the application, pay the fees and track review online.
4. Schedule inspections in Fast Track and close out the permit.

Fees are set in the county code; the county’s forms page has the current applications.

Zoning permits, trees and wetlands

The Zoning Division handles residential fences, RV storage, pavers and garage sales. It also reviews the location of a new home business before the Tax Collector issues a business tax receipt.

• Trees: removing a tree on a developed lot needs a tree removal permit. Ask the Arbor Office at 407-836-5807 or Arborist@ocfl.net.
• Wetlands: a tree in a wetland or on protected conservation land needs approval from the Environmental Protection Division first, 407-836-1402.
• Trees in the road right of way belong to Public Works; report a hazard through 311.

Horizon West neighborhoods often have a homeowners association or community development district with its own design approval. A county permit does not replace it; check with your association before you build.

The Horizon West villages

Horizon West is one of Orange County’s special planning areas. It has five mixed-use villages and a Town Center surrounded by greenbelts, covering about 20,704 gross acres, of which about 11,850 can be developed, the county’s Horizon West page says. The county adopted the concept in 1995, and it calls Horizon West the fastest-growing community in unincorporated Orange County.

Development follows two chapters of the county’s zoning code:

• the Villages Planned Development guide,
• the Town Center Planned Development guide,

plus the county’s Horizon West architectural design standards. The county’s village boundary map shows which village you are in, and its online parcel map shows the zoning on any lot.

Rezoning and variances

Rezoning requests go through the county Planning Division, which reviews them against the Comprehensive Plan. Call 407-836-5600 to talk through a rezoning before you apply. The county’s rezoning process page lays out the steps.

Variances and special exceptions go to the Board of Zoning Adjustment, which meets in the county commission chambers at the Administration Center. Its posted hearing dates:

Its recommendations then go to the Board of County Commissioners. Applications are due on a Wednesday deadline before each hearing; the board’s page lists each one.

What this means for you

• Start every project in Fast Track; most permits never need a counter visit.
• Book a Zoning Division appointment 24 hours ahead if you need to go in person.
• Check your village’s rules and your HOA before you buy materials.
• Road projects that affect Horizon West are on our road construction page.

Frequently asked questions

Who issues building permits in Horizon West?

Orange County’s Division of Building Safety, because Horizon West is unincorporated. Apply online through Fast Track or call Permitting Services at 407-836-5550.

Do I need a permit for a fence in Horizon West?

Fences, RV storage, pavers and garage sales go through the Orange County Zoning Division, 407-836-3111 or zoning@ocfl.net. Check your homeowners association’s rules too.

What zoning rules apply in Horizon West?

Horizon West is an Orange County special planning area with five villages and a Town Center, each governed by its own planned development rules in the county code. The county Planning Division answers questions at 407-836-5321.

How do I get a variance in Orange County?

Apply to the Orange County Board of Zoning Adjustment, which hears variances and special exceptions in the county commission chambers. Upcoming hearings fall on Thursday, Nov. 5, and Thursday, Dec. 3.