Local Government At A Glance: Cities, Counties, etc.

The purpose of this page is to provide information and resources describing the government and service agencies which support the citizens and businesses of Central Florida.

In addition to the resources provided in this page, we encourage you to enjoy the Orange County Networked Community CD. It has been designed for you to explore the lifestyles, economy, government, transportation and neighborhoods of Orange County/Orlando, Osceola County, Seminole County,  Lake County, Brevard County, and Volusia County.

Orange County is one of seven counties recognized as comprising Central Florida. It is a charter county, meaning it has its own constitution and is self-governing. Having a charter gives the county the ability to respond to a changing environment and meet local needs. Department listing...

The first charter was adopted in November 1986 and went into effect on January 6, 1987. In November 1988, voters approved the creation of a new form of government for Orange County: a chairman elected by the community at large and the creation of six single-member districts (please refer to Orange County InfoMap for political and other map-based information about Orange County). The chairman and commissioners serve overlapping four-year terms. The chairman and commissioners for districts 2, 4, and 6 are elected during alternate years (1998, 2002, 2006); commissioners representing districts 1, 3, and 5 are elected in presidential election years (2000, 2004, 2008).

In November 2004, voters approved a change to the Orange County Charter to reflect the name change of County Chairman to County Mayor. 

The Orange County Charter is the legal document which county government operates day to day business.This Charter calls for the creation of a Charter Review Commission every four years. Meeting for 18 months, the 15 volunteers can study any and all phases of county government and pose questions directly to the voters on any special, primary, or general election ballot. Follow this link to view the Orange County Charter (139 KB).

Orange County Administration is located at 201 South Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801, 407-836-0000. 

• Clerk of the Circuit Court - Civil and county courts, small claims courts, traffic court, passports, marriage licenses, jury duty.
• Orange County Comptroller - Official records, Board of County Commissioners meeting minutes, tourist development tax, finance and auditing, payroll.
• Judiciary - Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Administrative judges over Orange circuit civil, criminal, domestic relations, juvenile, Orange County, and Osceola Circuit and County.
• Orange County Property Appraiser - Property record and map searches showing ownership, legal descriptions, assessments, sales information, lot size and square footage, parcel identification number and boundaries.
• Orange County Public Schools - School calendar, visit our schools, school board information.
• Orange Soil and Water Conservation District - Conservation and educational programs, technical assistance to landowners, technical services to agricultural producers.
• Orange County Sheriff  - Community information, criminal investigations, arrest statistics.
• Supervisor of Elections - Precinct maps, polling places, voter services, election information, voting results.
• Tax Collector - Ad-valorem (real estate) taxes, annual tax certificate sale, auto tags, transfers of vehicle titles, boat registration, renewals, title transfers, hunting and fishing licenses, county occupational licenses, driver licenses.

• Florida Department of Financial Services
• Florida Legislature
• Orange County Convention Center
• Orange County Municipal Codes
• Orange County Library System
• Orlando-Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority
• Orlando-Orange County Health Department
• Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Public Defender (Orange and Osceola Counties)
• State of Florida
• South Seminole & North Orange County Wastewater Transmission Authority (112 KB)
• West Orange Chamber of Commerce
• Valencia Water Control Disctrict (81 KB)

• Apopka - Apopka is located in Orange County northwest of Orlando, between Tavares and Orlando, along US Highway 441 near Lake Apopka. 
• Bay Lake - Bay Lake is located in Orange County, and is part of the Orlando, Florida metropolitan area.  It is located within the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
• Belle Isle - Belle Isle is five miles south of Orlando and three miles northwest of Orlando International Airport.
• Eatonville - Eatonville is located in north Orange County along the Interstate 4 corridor southwest of the City of Maitland and northwest of the City of Winter Park.
• Edgewood - Edgewood is a suburban residential community located between the shores of Lakes Conway, Gatlin, Jennie Jewel, Jessamine and Mary Jess.
• Lake Buena Vista - Lake Buena Vista is located in southwest Orange County between Interstate 4 on the east and Bay Lake on the west.  It is located within the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
• Maitland - The City of Maitland is a residential and business community that enjoys the advantages and intimacies of a small town community conveniently located less than 20 minutes from metropolitan Orlando.
• Oakland - Oakland is located in west Orange County. It is bounded by State Road 50 on the south and Winter Garden on the east.
• Ocoee - Ocoee is located in west Orange County east of Winter Garden. It is traversed by State Road 429 on the west and the Florida Turnpike on the south. 
• Orlando - Orlando is located just south and west of central Orange County. It is bounded on the north by Winter Park. Interstate 4 and the Florida Turnpike traverse its boundaries. 
• Windermere - Windermere is located west of Orlando and south of Ocoee.
• Winter Garden - Winter Garden is located in west Orange County, sandwiched between Oakland on the west and Ocoee on the east.
• Winter Park - Winter Park is located in north central Orange County, southeast of Maitland and Eatonville, and touching Interstate 4 on the west.

In addition to Orange County, there are six other counties commonly referred to as "Central Florida":

• Brevard - Brevard County, seventy-two-plus miles long, fronts the Atlantic Ocean for its full length. Business and industry in Brevard County make up a significant part of the economy, along with agriculture.
• Flagler - Flagler County is situated along the eastern coast of Florida, midway between the home of the Daytona 500 International Speedway and the quaint old city of St. Augustine. It features uncrowded beaches, historic ruins, public rose gardens, tranquil waterways and subtropical forests, the ever-changing Atlantic Ocean, freshwater lakes, seven championship golf courses, tennis, unlimited water sports, and the World's oldest marine attraction.
• Lake - Lake County is a land of gently rolling hills and a thousand glimmering lakes. It's Florida's true natural beauty. It's a perfect getaway. It's only a short drive from all the dazzling magic of Orlando, but it's a million miles from all the hassles. It's a great place to vacation or to venture.
• Osceola - Osceola County is a county rich in history and life. In the pages contained here, you will find more information about the government, including its history, demographic information, county maps, descriptions of our government and more.
• Seminole - Seminole County is made up of seven major cities, each of which offers its own unique appeal to vacationers and sports and business travelers alike.  Whether you're here for a leisurely getaway, a sports tournament or have a few hours to spare between meetings, Seminole County offers an array of activities to help you spend your free time as relaxing or adventurous as you like.
• Volusia - More than 400,000 people call Volusia County home. Situated on the east coast of Central Florida, our 47 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches are a world class playground, with beachfront cities including Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and New Smyrna Beach.