County announces new online tool for obtaining single-family residential permits

TAVARES — This week, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners announced a new user-friendly tool that allows residents and contractors to obtain a single-family residential permit on its website at www.lakecountyfl.gov.

One of the key features of the new online process is that all of the steps that are required to obtain a single-family residential permit — from zoning to having the permit in hand — can be done remotely. This includes the process of getting permits for septic, which is handled by the Lake County Health Department’s Environmental Health Services — a separate government agency.

Staff from the Lake County Departments of Growth Management and Information Technology worked hand-in-hand with Environmental Health Services to be able to integrate the permitting of the two functions into a seamless process. 

“Lake County is the first in the state to be able to offer single-family permitting 100 percent online,” said Amye King, Director of Growth Management. “We’re very proud to say that we’ve been able to partner with the Lake County Health Department to accomplish this.”

The process of adding single-family residential permits to the already comprehensive list of available online permits was outlined as a goal in the County’s Economic Action Plan unveiled earlier this year. The plan was developed with input from businesses and residents, and looked at ways to promote Lake County as a business-friendly community.

To offer suggestions on ways to grow business in Lake County, visit the Lake County website at www.lakecountyfl.gov/businessideas. For more information on the County’s online permitting, contact the Lake County Department of Growth Management at (352) 343-9739.