Winter Garden now directs Building and Zoning applications through BS&A. Beginning January 1, 2026, the City discontinued contractor walk-in permit service, while owner-builders retained an in-person signature requirement.
Start with the correct City queue
The current Building page identifies fences, turf, pavers, concrete, driveways, trees, backyard chickens, banner signs, and zoning pre-approvals as electronic Zoning submissions. If the project needs zoning pre-review, save that approval and include it with the later Building file.
For each queue, retain:
- the exact scope submitted;
- property and applicant identity;
- every drawing and attachment name;
- portal receipt and application number;
- review comments and revised documents; and
- the final approval or denial.
Do not reuse the same file name for a revision. A dated name such as site-plan-rev-2 makes the custody trail clearer.
BS&A handles more than the first application
The City’s portal notice separates account creation, permit submission, plan revisions, contractor registration, and inspection scheduling. Treat each as a distinct event. An account is not an application; an application is not an issued permit; and an inspection request is not a passed inspection.
Contractors should use the online route. Owner-builders can use the online submission tools, but the City says state law requires the owner-builder permit application to be signed at the Building Department counter. Preserve the counter-signed version with the portal record.
Why older instructions can mislead
An older City residential page still refers to printed plans, CDs, or FTP delivery. The live Building page and the updated BS&A notice are more recent channel instructions. If a project page conflicts with them, obtain written direction from the department and save it rather than mixing old and new delivery methods.
The route ends with the issued permit, approved documents, inspections, and closeout—not simply with an upload confirmation.