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Chapter 8 is Orange County's Boats & Water Safety Code that outlines enforceable boating rules and regulations to protect the health, safety and general welfare of users of waterways of the County. Chapter 8 ordinance revisions include two distinct phases, as follows:

  • Phase I is complete and is intended to address safety, natural resource and wildlife issues at Egret Island. A new swim area/vessel exclusion (SAVE) zone was designated at Egret Island to address these concerns.
  • Phase II is underway and will bring Chapter 8 up to date with current state statute requirements for existing and proposed boating safety zones throughout the County.
Tree line next to body of water

Phase I - Egret Island's SAVE Zone:
Know Before You Go

In order to improve public safety and reduce natural resource and wildlife impacts, a new Swim Area & Vessel Exclusion (SAVE) zone has been created on Egret "Bird" Island on Lake Butler.

If you plan to visit the area, please abide by these SAVE zone requirements:

  • The swim area is designated as a boating-restricted zone for public safety and is marked by buoys.
  • The new requirements prohibit vessels and vessel operation within the designated swim area.
  • A vessel is defined as any type of motorized or non-motorized watercraft.
  • Damaging, altering, moving, mooring or fastening to the buoys is prohibited.
  • Swimmers should remain in the water and not visit Egret "Bird" Island.
  • For general questions about the SAVE zone, contact Lakes@ocfl.net.
  • To reach Orange County Sheriff's Office, contact 911 in the case of an emergency and 407-836-HELP for non-emergencies.


Image of bouy in a lake


Phase II - Building a Better Code

2026 will be an eventful year for Orange County as we make changes to the Boats & Water Safety Ordinance. Here’s what we hope to achieve in Phase II:

  • Add existing and proposed boating safety zones (no wake/idle speed zones).
  • Achieve compliance with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Uniform Waterway Marker Permit. A Florida Uniform Waterway Marker Permit authorizes local municipalities, counties, and governmental entities to place regulatory, safety, or informational markers in waters of the state, and ensures that hazards, speed zones, and swim areas are marked uniformly.
  • Delete language preempted by State Statute.
  • Avoid inconsistencies with Florida Statute 327, which establishes comprehensive regulations for vessel operation, safety and enforcement on Florida waters.


Idle Speed No Wake

We Want To Hear From You!

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Anticipated Timeline

Anticipated timeline

Attend a Meeting
(Information is Subject to Change)

Event Date, Time & Location Details & Resources
3rd & 4th EPD
Community Stakeholder Meetings
Online via Webex 		June 18, 2026
at 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.
Online via Webex
Orange County Facilities Management,
2010 E Michigan St.,
Orlando, Florida 32806,
Training Rooms 		9:30 a.m.
Webex Link
Meeting number (access code): 2331 811 1261
Meeting password: Go2meeting

5:30 p.m.
Webex Link
Meeting number (access code): 2330 748 7116
Meeting password: Go2meeting
Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) Work Session July 29, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
Orange County EPD,
3165 McCrory Place,
Suite 200,
Orlando Fl 32803,
Panther Training Rooms I and II 		County Calendar - Event Details
BCC Work Session September 15, 2026
Commission Chambers,
201 S. Rosalind Avenue,
1st Floor,
Orlando Fl 32801 		County Calendar - Event Details
Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) Public Hearing September 30, 2026
Orange County EPD,
3165 McCrory Place,
Suite 200,
Orlando Fl 32803,
Panther Training Rooms I and II 		County Calendar - Event Details
BCC Public Hearing October 13, 2026
Commission Chambers,
201 S. Rosalind Avenue,
1st Floor,
Orlando Fl 32801 		County Calendar - Event Details