Frequently Asked Questions

A precautionary boil water notice means tap water should not be used for drinking, cooking, or making ice until tests confirm that the water is safe for consumption. If the Town issues a boil water notice, you should use bottled water or boil your tap water. This is because a boil water notice means your community's water could have germs that can lead to illness. Testing the water to ensure its safety can take up to 48 hours.

A precautionary boil water notice is issued in cases where pressure in any part of the water distribution system has been below a certain standard, even if contamination is unlikely. The boil water notice remains in effect until laboratory tests confirm the water has not been contaminated.

If a precautionary boil water notice is used, we advise that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used.

If you have an icemaker, a public drinking fountain or beverage fountain, turn it off, and do not turn it back on until after the "Boil Water Notice" is over.

After service is restored, we suggest that you flush your internal water lines by opening your faucets. Initially turn on bathtub faucets and outside spigots that do not have strainer screens, then run the other faucets, washing machines, and shower fixtures. Allow the water to run until any air is expelled and the water runs clear.

Washing your hands with tap water and antibacterial soap is safe but use only bottled or boiled water to wash fruits, vegetables and other foods.

Pets may be susceptible to bacteria in water, so it's best to provide them with boiled or bottled water.

Even if someone has consumed potentially contaminated water from either a public water system or a private well, the likelihood of becoming ill is low, according to the Florida Department of Health. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, with or without fever, should seek medical attention.

This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological sample shows that the water is safe to drink. Continue to boil drinking water until advised otherwise.

You will mostly likely receive a hand-delivered notice posted on your front door. In cases of apartments or community living areas, a notice will be posted on the community information board. Visit our website or Facebook page for up-to-date, official information about boil water notices.

For further information, please contact Public Works.
Phone: 352-751-1504.

The stormwater drainage system collects all rain that runs off a hard surface such as pavement and roof tops. This runoff, called stormwater, flows along the curb and gutter and then into a storm drain.

After entering the storm drain, stormwater is routed to the nearest pond, lake, or river. Anything that enters the stormwater drainage system besides rainfall is considered an illicit discharge and is a violation of the Town of Lady Lake and Lake County's Illicit Discharge Ordinance.

Grease, oils, yard debris and detergents have potential to cause fish kills and other biological degradation, and restrict recreational activities such as swimming and fishing. The purpose of the Illicit Discharge Ordinance is to protect public health, safety and welfare by controlling pollution in our waterways.

Do your part to protect our environment from these types of pollution. Follow these best management practices.

An illicit discharge is any direct or indirect non-stormwater discharge to the storm drain system.

An illicit connection is any connection which allows non-stormwater to enter the storm drain system including sewage, wastewater and wash water.

Illicit discharges and connections are a violation of Town code.

To report an illicit discharge inside Town of Lady Lake, please call the Public Works Department at 352-751-1526, or Code Enforcement at 352-751-1562. In Lake County please call 352-516-0643.

Permits ensure work is being built to current codes and to verify the contractor is licensed and insured. The Florida Building Code (101.3) states that the “code is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength… and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations”.

Only a licensed contractor or the legal property owner may obtain a building permit. State statute 489.103(7) allows the owner(s) of real property to act as their own contractor. This exemption may only be used if you own and occupy the home. As an owner builder, if you do not complete all the work yourself, you must supervise the work and hire licensed trade subcontractors (electrician, plumbing, a/c, and roof) in accordance with state law. Owners acting as their own contractor or listed as a subcontractor are required to personally appear in the building dept and sign the permit application and homeowner/builder affidavit per Florida Statute 489.103(7). Proof of ownership is required for all permits. Please see Florida Statute 489.103 for complete information.

Ask for and check references, request to see their state license(s)and insurance certificates. State law requires the license number to be on the business card and proposal. Check the number on the state website (www.myflorida.com) for any state complaints. If a contractor asks you to secure the permit, beware. They may not be licensed, which puts the homeowner totally at risk.

Yes, state regulations require a notice of commencement be recorded with Lake County Clerk of Courts for building projects which exceed $5,000 cost of construction ($15,000 for mechanical changeouts). A copy of the recorded NOC must be provided to the Building Department prior to the first inspection.

The Building Official and/or Code Enforcement will issue an advisory notice. Once a permit is obtained, the cost of the permit will be doubled for an After the Fact permit. Additionally, there may be fees for a third-party engineering analysis if areas of work are concealed. If no action is taken, a Notice of Violation will be issued and could result in fines being levied on the property owner.

Permits vary in price depending on the work being done, the size of the project, and the number of trades involved. The fee schedule is available on our web site.

Permit applications will be processed in the order received. Applications that require Site and Plan review require a minimum of 24 hours and at most 30 days once all requirements are satisfied. Simple permits such as: Re-roofing a house, Replacing an Air Conditioner, etc. can usually be done within minutes if submitted during normal business hours.

Unless otherwise noted, a building permit is valid for 180 days from date of issuance and 180 days from the last approved inspection date thereon. Permits expire and become null and void if work has not started or an approved inspection has not been done within 180 days from the issuance date of the permit. Lack of an approved inspection within this time will serve as validation that the job has been suspended or abandoned.

Yes. We require a site plan or survey that must show all property lines, existing structures, patios, and pavement with dimensions. It must also show the proposed location, dimensions of the new concrete, and show the distance to the property lines.

Yes. We require a site plan showing the location of the windows/ doors, the Florida Product Approval number, and installation specifications. If the size of the window or doors are changing, additional plans may be required.

Yes. A permit is required for any new or replacement of a fence.

A permit or arborist report is required prior to removing any canopy trees within the Town limits. If the property owner obtains an arborist report from an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture that states the tree presents a danger to persons or property, then a permit is not required. We request a copy emailed to us at Building@ladylake.org

No permit is required; however, no signs may be placed anywhere other than the property where the sale is being held.

Yes, we require a Site Plan or survey that must show all property lines, existing structures, patios, and pavement with dimensions. It must also show the proposed location and dimensions of the shed, showing the distances to the property line. We will need construction plans or installation specifications, depending on the construction of the shed.

Visit our Submittal Requirements webpage for more information.

The Notice of Commencement is to be filed with the Lake County Clerk’s Office for any job value exceeding $5,000 ($15,000 for mechanical changeouts). The office is located at the Records Storage Facility, 313 South Bloxham Ave., Tavares, FL 32778 or can be reached at 352-253-2600.

Per Florida Building Code (105.1), Any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

To register as a contractor in Lady Lake the applicant must provide the following:

•    State License

•    Lake County Competency Card (required if registered and not State certified)

•    General Liability Certificate (with “The Town of Lady Lake” as the certificate holder)

•    Workers Compensation Certificate (with “The Town of Lady Lake” as the certificate holder) or copy of Letter of Exemption

All in-ground swimming pools require a permit. Aboveground pools and spas that are more than 24” in height also require a permit. The child barrier and electric set up must meet all FBC standards.

This depends on several factors including the zoning of your property or if it is a corner lot, etc. Contact the Building Department for more information.

Yes, the forms are available for download on our website.

Approval for a proposed increase in the fire protection assessment for properties within The Villages Fire Protection District. The proposed resolution is by request of The Village Center Community Development District and due to the findings in the above-mentioned consultant review.

• Fire protection services are provided through an agreement with The Villages Center Community Development District.

• The report recommends applying the same assessment methodology to Lake Service Area properties, resulting in a unified rate structure of approximately $320.71 per residential unit across all jurisdictions serviced by the Villages Public Safety Department. This includes portions of Lake County, Fruitland Park, Leesburg, and The Villages of Lady Lake.

• This assessment helps fund fire protection services such as fire stations, equipment, personnel, and emergency response within the town.
• Fire Assessments are composed of two things: Readiness/Availability, which is allocated per parcel, and Demand for Service, allocated per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), guided by broad categories identified in calls for service. 
  • Readiness is characterized by administrative costs, readiness labor/salaries, capital equipment and building costs.
  • Demand is characterized by operational mobilization including response salaries and overhead expenses, response costs, operational (capital) equipment and supplies.
• The study found the benefits received are proportionate to the costs.

• Residential properties: previously $124 per single-family residential unit annually; proposed to increase to $320.71 annually per single family residential unit
• Vacant properties: No fee for FY 25/26

• The proposed increased assessment would affect properties located in The Villages Fire Protection Special Assessment District within The Villages of Lady Lake.

• A TRIM (Truth in Millage) will be mailed to affected property owners with details about the assessment.
• The Town will publish additional information and allow time for public input before adoption.
• Over the next year, the County’s Villages Fire assessment area will reconstitute into a uniform Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) covering the entire Villages Public Safety Department service area, including areas within Town limits, to impose assessments for FY 26/27 and beyond. This will eliminate the need for the town/district interlocal agreement.

If approved by the Town Commission, Waste Management will continue to provide residential solid waste collection services for the Town of Lady Lake under a new contract beginning October 1, 2025.

Service is funded through an annual solid waste assessment per residential unit, approved by the Town of Lady Lake. The proposed increase is from $185 to $235 per residential unit, annually.

Residential curbside customers will continue to receive:

• Twice-weekly garbage pickup
• Twice-weekly yard waste collection
• Bulk item pickup as needed

One 96-gallon cart for garbage. Residents will receive one for each service. Additional carts are available for a fee.

The new service contract would begin on October 1, 2025. For more information, visit Trash & Recycling Pickup.

No. Gov. Ron DeSantis has not released a finalized proposal outlining how a statewide property tax repeal would be implemented. Details are still under discussion, and no official blueprint has been adopted.

The Florida House of Representatives has advanced several proposed constitutional amendments during the current legislative session. These proposals focus on reducing or phasing out property taxes, particularly for homestead (primary residence) properties. 

Likely yes. Lawmakers are working toward placing a property tax–related proposal on the November 2026 general election ballot, although the final wording and scope of any ballot measure are still being developed. Because these proposals would amend the Florida Constitution, any measure placed on the ballot would require approval by at least 60% of voters statewide in the November 2026 general election.

HJR 203 is one of the leading proposals under consideration. It would gradually phase out non-school property taxes on homestead properties over approximately 10 years by increasing the homestead exemption annually. Under this proposal, eligible properties could be exempt from those taxes by around 2037. The resolution has passed committee review and is moving forward in the legislative process.

Yes. Lawmakers are debating multiple constitutional amendment options. These include proposals for full elimination of certain property taxes, partial exemptions, or limits on how quickly property tax assessments can increase.

Yes. At least one proposal is expected to be considered by the full Florida House for a vote, with additional review by the Senate if it advances.