Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: August 11, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Tanya Wilson, AICP, Director, Planning, Environmental, and Development Services Department
CONTACT: Renée H. Parker, LEP, Manager, Environmental Protection Officer
PHONE: (407) 836-1420
DIVISION: Environmental Protection Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Proposed Revisions to Boats and Water Safety, Chapter 8, Orange County Code. All Districts. (Environmental Protection Division)
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PROJECT: Chapter 8 Boats and Water Safety Code Work Session
PURPOSE: The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is presenting proposed revisions to Chapter 8 (“Boats and Water Safety”) of the Orange County Code. Chapter 8 outlines enforceable boating rules and regulations to protect the health, safety and general welfare of users of waterways of Orange County (County) including minimum boating safety equipment and general vessel operation restrictions. Chapter 8 was updated in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1995, and 2022.
During the October 13, 2026 work session, staff will:
Provide an overview and status update on the two-phase Chapter 8 ordinance revision process
Review the project timeline and remaining milestones
Summarize stakeholder comments received during Phase II
Present the proposed next steps for completing the ordinance update
The purpose of the work session is to obtain the Board’s feedback and recommendations on the proposed Chapter 8 Boats and Safety code revisions, including modifications to some of the existing boating restricted areas and the establishment of new or additional boating restricted areas. Staff will use the feedback received to refine the proposed ordinance before returning to the Board for the Phase II adoption public hearing, which is currently scheduled for the December 1, 2026 BCC meeting.
Background:
In 2022, Orange County initiated Phase I of the Chapter 8 Boats and Water Safety Ordinance (Chapter 8, Article II) revisions...
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