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📋 About This Page
This page provides essential contact information for Winter Garden residents within the city limits and the broader 34787 ZIP code (excluding the Horizon West villages, which are unincorporated and use Orange County services — see our Horizon West Community Contacts page for that area).
Note: Phone numbers and hours change. When in doubt, check the official website or call ahead before visiting.
Explore more about Winter Garden: Things to Do | Dining | Parks & Recreation | Schools
The City of Winter Garden is an incorporated municipality in Orange County with its own police department, fire/rescue, public works, and utility billing — all run out of the historic City Hall on Plant Street. Anything inside city limits is handled here first; for unincorporated 34787 (Horizon West villages), services come from the county. For a complete overview of the community, visit our Winter Garden homes page.
Winter Garden City Hall
300 W. Plant Street
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Key Departments:
- City Manager's Office
- Building & Code Division
- Planning & Zoning
- Code Enforcement
- Utility Billing
- Public Services (Streets, Stormwater, Solid Waste)
- Parks & Recreation
- Economic Development
Call the main number and ask for a department, or use the staff directory at cwgdn.com for direct contacts.
Building & Permitting
300 W. Plant Street
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Building or buying new? See our guide to new construction in Winter Garden and Winter Garden home builders.
Code Enforcement
Florida law (effective July 2021) requires complainants to provide their name and address — anonymous code complaints can no longer trigger an investigation.
Winter Garden runs its own water, sewer, reclaimed water, stormwater, and garbage service for homes inside city limits — about 17,000 service connections — billed through the City's Utility Billing Department. Electric service is provided by Duke Energy, and natural gas comes from the locally-owned Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD). Setting up utilities is one of the first steps when buying a home in Florida; contact each provider at least a week before move-in. For a regional overview, see our Orlando Utilities and Services guide.
| Service | Provider | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⚡ Electric | Duke Energy Florida | (800) 700-8744 | duke-energy.com |
| 💧 Water / Sewer / Reclaimed | City of Winter Garden Utility Billing | (407) 656-4100 | cwgdn.com/utility-billing |
| 🗑️ Trash / Recycling | City of Winter Garden Solid Waste | (407) 656-4100 | Solid Waste Division |
| 🔥 Natural Gas | Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) | (407) 656-2734 | langd.org |
| 🚨 After-Hours Utility Emergencies | Water leaks, sewer back-ups, no service | (321) 436-4559 | Evenings & weekends only |
| 📡 Internet / WiFi | Spectrum, AT&T Fiber, Xfinity, others | Multiple providers — check availability by address | |
🔥 About Lake Apopka Natural Gas District
Unlike most Central Florida communities served by TECO Peoples Gas, Winter Garden's natural gas comes from Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) — a community-owned public utility established in 1959 and governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners appointed by its three member cities: Winter Garden, Apopka, and Clermont. LANGD's office is at 1320 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, just south of SR 50.
📡 Internet & Cable Providers
Multiple internet and cable providers serve Winter Garden. Common providers in Central Florida include:
- Spectrum — Cable/Fiber: spectrum.com | (855) 507-7328
- AT&T Fiber — Fiber/DSL: att.com | (888) 225-5288
- Xfinity (Comcast) — Cable: xfinity.com | (800) 934-6489
- Frontier — Fiber/DSL: frontier.com | (800) 921-2119
- CenturyLink — Fiber/DSL: centurylink.com | (866) 642-9241
Service availability varies by address. Use provider websites to check availability at your specific location.
Winter Garden Police Department covers roughly 17 square miles inside city limits with about 85 sworn officers, and Winter Garden Fire Rescue operates from four stations across the city. Both report directly to the City Manager. Outside city limits in unincorporated 34787, public safety is handled by Orange County Sheriff and Orange County Fire Rescue. For the broader community context, see our Winter Garden community page.
Emergency Services
Winter Garden Police Department
251 W. Plant Street
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Anonymous tips can be submitted via tip411 — but for an emergency or to file a report, call 911 or the non-emergency line.
Winter Garden Fire Rescue
300 W. Plant Street
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Operates Stations 22, 23, 24, and a temporary Station 21 across Winter Garden.
Winter Garden is served by Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) — the fourth-largest district in Florida. Local zoned options include Dillard Street, Tildenville, and Maxey Elementary; SunRidge Middle; and West Orange High School, which has anchored Winter Garden families since 1975. Foundation Academy operates three Winter Garden campuses as the area's top-rated private Christian school option. For ratings, school zones, and detailed program information, visit our comprehensive Winter Garden Schools & Education guide.
Orange County Public Schools
Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center
445 W. Amelia Street
Orlando, FL 32801
Key Services:
- Student Registration & Enrollment
- School Zoning & Boundaries
- Transportation/Busing
- ESE & Special Programs
- Magnet & Choice Programs
Find Your Zoned Schools
Use the OCPS School Locator to enter your address and find your zoned elementary, middle, and high schools — including any rezoning notices that affect 34787.
For full details on Winter Garden's elementary, middle, high, private, and higher-ed options, see our Winter Garden schools and education guide.
🎓 Related Education Resources
Learn more about education options in and around Winter Garden:
- Winter Garden Schools Guide — Complete guide to local schools, ratings, and zoning
- West Orange High School: A Winter Garden Institution Since 1975
- Dillard Street Elementary in Downtown Winter Garden
- SunRidge Middle School
- Foundation Academy: Winter Garden's Top-Rated Private Christian School
- Westside Tech & Valencia College West: Career Training and Higher Education
- Orlando Schools Guide — Regional education overview
- Best School Districts in Central Florida
- Private Schools in Orlando
- Orlando Neighborhoods Guide — Compare neighborhoods across the region
- Homes in Winter Garden — Find homes in top-rated school zones
Winter Garden sits in Orange County, which handles property assessments, tax collection, court services, and elections for the entire county including 34787. New residents — and especially those buying a home in Florida — will deal with the Property Appraiser (homestead exemption) and Tax Collector (vehicle registration, driver license) within the first month of moving in.
| Office/Department | Phone | Services | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County Government | (407) 836-2000 | General county services, 311 info line | Visit |
| Property Appraiser | (407) 836-5044 | Property values, homestead exemptions | Visit |
| Tax Collector | (407) 434-0312 | Property taxes, vehicle reg., driver license | Visit |
| Clerk of Courts | (407) 836-2000 | Court records, marriage licenses, passports | Visit |
| Sheriff's Office | (407) 254-7000 | County law enforcement, jail, civil process | Visit |
| Health Department | (407) 858-1400 | Public health, vital records, immunizations | Visit |
| Supervisor of Elections | (407) 836-2070 | Voter registration, polling locations | Visit |
📍 Closest Tax Collector Branch
The closest Orange County Tax Collector branch to Winter Garden is the West Oaks Mall office at 9401 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 360, Ocoee, FL 34761 — typically the fastest in-person option for vehicle registration, license plates, and driver license services. (407) 434-0312 | octaxcol.com
💰 Florida Homestead Exemption
Florida's homestead exemption can reduce your property tax bill by up to $50,000. To qualify, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1st and apply by March 1st. Apply through the Orange County Property Appraiser — most homeowners in Winter Garden file online.
Learn more about Florida homeownership in our Buying a Florida Home Guide.
Florida state agencies handle driver licenses, vehicle titles, voter registration, unemployment, and family services. New residents must update their driver's license and vehicle registration within 10 days of establishing residency in Florida.
| Agency | Phone | Services | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver License / DMV (closest branch) | (407) 434-0312 | Driver licenses, ID cards, vehicle titles & registration | Visit |
| Voter Registration | (407) 836-2070 | Register to vote, polling locations, sample ballots | Visit |
| Unemployment (Florida CONNECT) | (800) 204-2418 | Reemployment assistance, job search help | Visit |
| Children & Families (DCF) | (866) 762-2237 | Food assistance (SNAP), Medicaid, child welfare | Visit |
| 🐊 Nuisance Alligator Hotline | (866) 392-4298 | Report nuisance alligators (FWC SNAP Program) | Visit |
🐊 Living with Alligators in Winter Garden
Winter Garden sits on the southeast shore of Lake Apopka — Florida's fourth-largest lake — and lakefront residents at Newton Park, Stoneybrook West ponds, and Black Lake should know the basics:
- When to call: Alligator is 4 feet or longer AND poses a threat to people, pets, or property
- Hotline: (866) 392-4298 — Available 24/7
- Response: FWC dispatches a contracted nuisance alligator trapper through the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP)
- Important: Never feed alligators — it's illegal under Florida law and dangerous. Keep dogs leashed and away from water's edge, especially at dawn and dusk
For Lake Apopka recreation, see our Winter Garden Parks & Recreation guide and the Fishing & Boating on Lake Apopka guide.
Winter Garden offers several community institutions worth knowing as a resident — including the historic downtown post office on Plant Street, the Winter Garden Branch Library a few blocks east, and the West Orange Chamber of Commerce on West Colonial Drive.
Post Office (Downtown)
207 W. Plant Street
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Winter Garden Branch Library
805 E. Plant Street
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Part of the Orange County Library System (OCLS) — the system's westernmost branch.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce
12184 W. Colonial Drive
Winter Garden, FL 34787
💼 Explore More of Winter Garden
Homeowner Associations (HOAs): Winter Garden has dozens of HOA-governed neighborhoods — Stoneybrook West, Bronson's Landing, Twinwaters, Johns Lake Pointe, Roper Reserve, and many more. HOA contact information is typically in your closing documents or available through your community's property management company. Many HOAs maintain community websites or private Facebook groups.
Discover Winter Garden:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up utilities when moving to Winter Garden?
Contact each utility provider listed in the Utilities section at least one week before your move-in date. For homes inside city limits, water, sewer, reclaimed water, and garbage are all set up through City of Winter Garden Utility Billing at (407) 656-4100. Electric service comes from Duke Energy at (800) 700-8744, and natural gas (where available) from Lake Apopka Natural Gas District at (407) 656-2734.
For homes in unincorporated 34787 (Horizon West villages), see our Horizon West Community Contacts page — utilities there come from Orange County, not the City of Winter Garden. For more moving tips, see our Winter Garden homes page, Buying a Florida Home Guide, and Moving to Orlando Complete Guide.
Where do I register my vehicle in Florida?
New Florida residents must register vehicles within 10 days of establishing residency. The closest Orange County Tax Collector branch is the West Oaks Mall office at 9401 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 360, in neighboring Ocoee — about 10 minutes from downtown Winter Garden. Bring your out-of-state title, proof of Florida insurance, and identification. Appointments are recommended.
For more on Florida residency requirements, see our Moving to Orlando Complete Guide.
How do I find out which schools my children will attend?
Use the Orange County Public Schools School Locator to enter your address and find your zoned elementary, middle, and high schools. Most Winter Garden families are zoned to West Orange High School, but middle and elementary zones vary by neighborhood. For detailed information about specific schools and their ratings, visit our Winter Garden Schools Guide.
Also see our Orlando Schools Guide and Best School Districts in Central Florida for regional comparisons, plus Foundation Academy for the leading private school option.
Who do I call for code violations or neighborhood issues?
Inside Winter Garden city limits, contact Winter Garden Code Enforcement at (407) 656-4111 for property maintenance violations, overgrown lots, parking issues, or zoning complaints. Florida law (effective July 2021) requires complainants to provide their name and address — anonymous complaints can no longer trigger an investigation. For homes in unincorporated 34787, contact Orange County Code Enforcement instead. For emergencies or criminal activity, call 911 or the Winter Garden Police non-emergency line at (407) 656-3636.
How do I apply for a homestead exemption?
Apply through the Orange County Property Appraiser at ocpafl.org before March 1st to receive the exemption for that tax year. You must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1st. The Florida homestead exemption can reduce your taxable property value by up to $50,000 and also caps annual assessment increases at 3% under "Save Our Homes."
Most Winter Garden homeowners file online — paper filings are also accepted. Learn more in our Buying a Florida Home Guide.
What do I do if I see an alligator on Lake Apopka or in a neighborhood pond?
Lake Apopka — Florida's fourth-largest lake — borders Winter Garden's western edge, and Stoneybrook West, Black Lake, and many neighborhood retention ponds host gators year-round. Most pose no threat. Call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at (866) 392-4298 only if a gator is 4 feet or longer AND poses a threat to people, pets, or property. Never feed alligators — it's illegal and creates aggressive animals. Keep dogs leashed and away from water's edge, especially at dawn and dusk.
For outdoor safety and recreation tips, see our Winter Garden Parks Guide and Fishing & Boating on Lake Apopka.
Moving to Winter Garden?
Our team at Florida Neighborhood Realty can help you find the right home in Winter Garden — from historic downtown bungalows on brick-lined streets to gated communities like Stoneybrook West — and connect you with the local services that make a smooth transition.
Explore Winter Garden: Things to Do | Dining | Parks | Schools | Market Report
*Disclaimer: The contact information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only. Phone numbers, addresses, hours, and websites are subject to change. We make every effort to maintain accurate information, but recommend verifying critical details directly with the agency or department before visiting or calling. Florida Neighborhood Realty is not affiliated with any government agency listed on this page. For official government information, please visit the respective agency websites.
Last Updated: May 8, 2026
David Myers
