FAQs
Boards and commissions
How can I apply to be on a board / committee?
Town Hall has forms available to complete and submit for various boards / committees.
Building Services
Who do I need to contact for a septic / drain field permit?
Please contact the Tavares Health Department at 352-589-6424.
Who do I call for permitting and zoning information?
Please contact our Building Services Clerk at 352-324-2290.
Can I get special inspections in the evenings and on weekends?
To request an inspection go to: https://www.alpha-inspections.net/inspections.html.
Can I shut my water off at the meter for repairs?
No. The town has a $50.00 Meter-Tampering Fee for any tampering with the meter. Town Hall will issue a courtesy turn-on and turn-off Service Order to assist you. If on the weekend, please call 352-343-2101 (Police Dispatch).
Should damage occur from meter tampering, the customer is responsible for all costs incurred.
Can I do all my Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing at my own house?
Yes, the homeowner must sign an Owner / Builder Statement.
Who can I call to get advice if a proposed building project may be feasible in Howey-in-the-Hills?
Please contact our Building Services Clerk at 352-324-2290.
Is there a fee for a one time site visit / consultation?
No. Please call the Building Services Clerk at the Howey-in-the-Hills Town Hall 352-324-2290
Code Enforcement
How can I report a Code Violation?
If you would like to report a Code Violation, you may contact the Code Enforcement Department by phone or email. You may also fill out a written Code Observation Form at Town Hall.
Can I have a Garage Sale?
Yes, each residence is allowed two (2) garage sales per year. Each residence is also allowed two (2) additional garage sales in a year--one on each Daylight Savings Time change weekend.
Do I need a permit for a Garage Sale?
Yes, you must fill out the Garage Sale Permit Form at the Town Hall prior to each garage sale.
Can I put signs out advertising a Garage Sale?
Yes, you are allowed two (2) signs ON YOUR PROPERTY ONLY advertising your Garage Sale. No signs are permitted on the Road Right-of-Way(s).
Do I need to have a permit to put up a sign?
Yes, all signs require a Town of Howey-in-the-Hills Permit. You must fill out the required Sign Permit Application at the Town Hall and it must be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board with all required paperwork for approval prior to the installation of the sign. All requirements must be met in order for a Sign Permit to be approved.
Do I need a permit if I want to change an existing sign?
Yes, you must fill out the required Sign Permit Application and it must be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board for approval prior to any changes being made to any current or existing signs.
Do I need a Permit to change or replace Windows and Doors?
Yes, you must fill out all required Window or Door Permit Application and submit all required paperwork to the Town Hall for processing and approval, prior to any windows or doors being changed or replaced.
Can I begin work on anything without first obtaining a permit?
No, all work being done must have been issued a permit first, prior to any work being done.
What will happen if I begin work without first obtaining a Permit?
You will be charged a fee double the amount that the original Permit would have normally been.
Can I display a vehicle, boat, camper, trailer or RV for Sale?
No. Vehicles, boats, campers, trailers and RV’S may not be displayed For Sale in Town limits by displaying a For Sale sign or by writing on the vehicle, boat, camper, trailer or RV itself, including the windows.
Can I do automotive repair work on my vehicle while parked at my residence?
No. Automotive repair work is strictly prohibited in Town limits, however, in certain emergency situations, it may be deemed necessary, such as changing a tire.
Can I cut a Tree down without a permit?
No. ALL TREES require a Town of Howey-in-the-Hills Tree Removal Permit and presented to the Planning and Zoning Board for approval.
The only trees that may be cut down without a Permit are those trees which are included on the Undesirable Tree List, available at Town Hall.
Palm Trees and those trees which are deemed dead or dying by a Licensed Arborist in writing or by the Director of Public Works, PRIOR TO THE REMOVAL OF ANY TREE.
What is Excessive or untended Growth of Vegetation?
Existence of excessive growth of weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation upon a parcel of property which may endanger the public’s health, safety and welfare and adversely affects and impairs the value of adjacent properties.
Weeds, undergrowth and other vegetation shall be considered excessive and untended if their height exceeds 18 inches or if the property is infested or inhabited or may become infested or inhabited with rodents, vermin and other wild animals or creates a breeding place for mosquitoes.
What is an Accumulation of Refuse?
Refuse is a collection of any solid wastes, including but not limited to garbage, rubbish, ashes, street cleanings, dead animals, abandoned automobiles, junk and solid market and industrial wastes.
Accumulation of any refuse upon a parcel of land in Town limits is prohibited, as it may endanger the health, safety and welfare of the public and adversely affect and impair adjacent properties, in addition to it being unsightly.
Is Canvassing and Soliciting allowed in Town?
In order to Solicit / Canvass in Town limits, each Solicitor / Canvasser MUST do the following:
Apply for a certificate of registration with the Town. This form, available at Town Hall must be filled out in its entirety, and all responses must be truthful. Each person must submit to fingerprinting by the Police Department of the Town, as well as a background check at a cost of $20.00 per person.
Each person must not have been convicted of a felony within the five years immediately preceding the date of application.
Each person has not violated any of the provisions of this chapter.
Each person has not had a previous certificate of registration revoked after being issued pursuant to this chapter.
Each person is not listed with the National Crime Information Center, not the Florida Crime Information Center, as a person who has been convicted of a Felony within the five years immediately preceding the date of the application.
Each Certificate shall be valid for the time period requested on the application, or for 30 days, whichever is less.
What if I would like to have a Business in my Home?
In order to have a home-based business, you must fill out a Business Tax Receipt Application. Your Application must be submitted to Town Hall, together with any required fees and your request for a home-based business must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Board.
There is also an annual Business Tax Receipt which is due and payable annually to the Town, once you have received approval to have your home-based business.
General
Do you have the phone number for the Post Office in your area?
Yes. It is 352-324-2370.
Does the town accept debit or credit cards?
Yes, we do accept credit/debit cards. There is a convenience fee of 3% or $2.00 minimum.
What power company, telephone company, and gas company service the town?
The town is serviced by Duke Energy for power, CenturyTel for telephone service and TECO for natural gas.
Does Town Hall provide notary services?
Yes, but only for Town of Howey-in-the-Hills' residents.
Library
How do I get a library card?
If you live in, or own property in, Lake County, you may get a Lake County Library System library card at no charge. Just bring identification showing your name and residence address, such as driver’s license or utility bill. Complete the Library Card Application and we’ll give you your new card!
What is my PIN?
Personal Identification Numbers are assigned when library cards are issued. Contact us if you do not know your PIN.
When is the library open?
The library hours are:
Monday: 10 - 5
Tuesday: 10 - 7
Wednesday: 10 - 5
Thursday: 10 - 7
Friday: 10 - 5
Saturday: 10 - 1
Sunday: closed
The after hours book and video drop are located outside the door to allow you to return items at any time.
Can I put a book on hold from home?
You can put a hold on items from any computer with internet access via the online catalog. At the catalog, enter your library card number and pin in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Click to login. Your login will be acknowledged. Search for the book/DVD/game of your choice. When you have found the item that you want, click on the blue place hold button to the right of the item information. On the new screen, once more click on place hold. You will be contacted when the item is available at your library.
What if the Howey Library doesn't have the item that I want?
If you’re looking for an item that we don’t have, it can be requested from one of the other libraries in the county system, and it will be sent to us via courier. If you’re looking for an item that the county system doesn’t have, it can be requested through interlibrary loan.
Do you have computers available to the public?
We have seven public computers available for adults and two in the children’s room. All nine of them have internet access.
Does the library have wi-fi?
Yes, it does. You are welcome to bring your laptop and get your internet access from us.
Does the library need donations?
Yes! There are so many ways to donate. We are always looking for patrons who are willing to donate their time and their talents. If you have the time and talent to facilate a class on chess, bridge, basic computer or something of your interest please consider volunteering here at Marianne Beck Memorial Library.
If any of you find yourselves renewing a magazine which has an unbelievably low price for a second subscription, the library would like to be the recipient of that second subscription.
Does the library need volunteers
Yes!! Our library is enriched by its volunteers! Each of our volunteers brings his/her own talents. Different talents bring different dimensions to our library. We have volunteers that work on the circulation desk; we have volunteers that process books, read shelves, shelve books; we have volunteers that help with our summer reading program; we have volunteers that teach …the list is long. We would love to have you join our team! To do so, complete the Volunteer Application and come to the library and chat with us about what you would like to do.
Public Services
Who do I contact if my water is discolored or smelly?
Please contact Town Hall. They will issue a service order to Public Works so they can check the water.
Is the trash picked up on holidays?
The trash service observes the following holidays and will pick up on the next scheduled pickup.
New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
What is the procedure if the sanitation company does not pick up my trash, my trash cart breaks or I have a complaint?
Please contact Town Hall and they will file the concern/complaint directly with GFL.
What if a streetlight is not working?
If possible, look on the pole for a number and report to Town Hall who will report to Duke Energy.
Search Tips and Tricks
Do the search results include the contents of PDFs and other documents?
Yes. The website indexes web pages as well as PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.
If I search for a phrase (e.g. alarm permit), will the results only show exact matches?
No. By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase. In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.
In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations. The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.
Can I exclude a word from a search (e.g. all pages that have the word "alarm" but not the word "permit"?
Yes. You can exclude words by using the minus sign (-). In order to find the results of all pages that have alarm in the result but not permit, you would search for alarm -permit.
Utility
Are extensions given on Utility Bills?
Two (2) extensions are permitted within each calendar year. A due date will be established for payment and if not paid; utility services will be disconnected.
What if I do not receive my utility bill?
The utility bills are sent at the end of each month. If you do not receive a bill, you may want to check with Town Hall: Utility Billing since it is due by the 15th of each month.
What if I mailed my payment before the due date and Town Hall does not receive it?
Utility accounts are not considered paid until the Town has received the payment. Mail postmarks are not considered when determining when an account has been paid.
What do I do if I disagree with my water reading or suspect a leak?
If you suspect a leak, you may contact Town Hall: Utility Billing and they will issue a service order to re-check your reading.
Customers are encouraged to check their plumbing and irrigation systems regularly to avoid a water leak. Even a small leak, a running toilet, or a faulty sprinkler head can cause excessive and expensive water consumption.
The Town assumes no liability for water leaks. Water leaks are the responsibility of the customer and must be paid in full.