Community Development

Physical Address:
201 E. Main Street
Tavares, FL 32778
Phone: (352) 742-6213 / Fax: (352) 742-6087

Important notice: USB drives are no longer accepted. Please click here to request a secure upload link for your documents. 

Building Permits:

Building Permit Applications and Forms

To apply for a building permit (or update contractor/subcontractor registration information), please submit your application and plans through email, here.

Permits will be issued via email. For online payments for building permits and fees less than $3000, click here.

To submit building inspection requests, click here.

To speak with a Permitting Technician, please call (352) 742-6213 or email your request to permits@tavares.org.

The deadline for scheduling an inspection is 4 p.m. the day before, with the exception of a 3:00 p.m. deadline for utilities inspections. Please note that any inspections scheduled through the automated system after 4 p.m. will not be scheduled the next business day, but the day after.

Permit Search Online: 

To look up the status of a permit, inspection result, or to schedule your inspection online, click here.

Zoning Map   

Future Land Use Map      

Downtown Masterplan Map     


Projected Residential Growth Map

Projected Non-Residential Growth Map


Public Notice

Have you seen this sign on a property within the City of Tavares?

Click on the sign below for more information:

Tavares Notice of Public Hearing Sign Opens in new window


Ordinance 2025-04 w Fee Sheets 1-4



Responsibilities
The Community Development Department oversees building, permitting, planning and zoning and is responsible for administering the City's growth development from initial conception through to building permitting.
The Department reviews all development applications for conformity with the City's Land Development Regulations, the Florida Building Code, the City's Comprehensive Plan and other applicable laws and regulations. The Department works in harmony with and provides support to the Planning & Zoning Board, the Lake-Sumter MPO and many other local boards and agencies. The Department provides demographic information and GIS support for all City departments.
The Community Development Department’s primary responsibilities are long-range planning, growth management, plan review and permitting. The Department assists applicants with planning and zoning applications and construction permit applications. The Department reviews the applications for conformance with the Florida Building Code and land development initiatives per Florida Statutes and Administrative Codes.


2040 Comprehensive Plan 

  1. Adopted - Goals Objectives and Policies
  2. Adopted - Data Inventory and Analysis
  3. Adopted - Map Series