FAQs
Business Tax Receipt
Any person or company operating a business in the City of Crystal River is required to obtain an occupational license before they may conduct business in the City. Occupational licenses may be obtained at City Hall in the Community Services Department. Occupational licenses are valid from October 1st through September 30th and must be renewed yearly.
City Hall
City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm, except for federal holidays and weather emergencies.
Crystal River City Hall is located at 123 NW Highway 19. It is approximately 1 1/2 blocks north of Citrus Avenue (SR495) and approximately 1/2 mile north of SR 44. The telephone number is 352-795-4216.
Ken Frink is the City Manager. The City Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City and is charged with overseeing the daily operations of the City in accordance with policies determined by City Council, the City Charter and applicable laws.
Clerk of Court
You can contact the Clerk of the Court by the following methods:
Phone 352-341-6424
110 N Apopka Ave, #101, Inverness, FL 34450
Lost and Found
All items found by City staff or turned in to City Hall will be kept for 7 days as a courtesy and if not claimed within that time it will then be disposed of in an appropriate manner. If the item is of value it will be turned over to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office substation.
Mandatory Evacuation
In order to regain entry into the City after a mandatory evacuation you will need a re-entry pass. Re-entry passes can be obtained at the Citrus County Tax Collector's Office located at 1540 N. Meadowcrest Blvd. in Crystal River and the Crystal River Community Resource Office located at 123 NW Highway 19 Crystal RIver behind City Hall on the north side of the building. Photo identification with an address within the affected area is required in order to obtain a re-entry pass.
Nuisance Alligator
Please call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline - 1-866-392-4286
Permits
Applications for building permits are obtained at City Hall in the Development Services Department or click City Forms. The Building Official reviews the applications and issues a building permit for most residential applications. Commercial developments are more complex and may require review by the Planning Commission to proceed.
Three Sisters Springs
The Three Sisters Springs Center is located at:
917 Three Sisters Springs Trail
Crystal River, FL 34429
Manatees move freely in and out of the springs as temperatures and tides change. Your best chances for seeing manatees inside of Three Sisters Springs is on a cold winter day, when the water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
The springs, regardless of the time of year, are always stunning. The best times for manatee viewing are during cold fronts and high tides from November 15th to March 31st.
Yes, swimming is permitted at Three Sisters Springs, however, you must arrive through the waterways. There is no water access from the land. This is to protect the springs from erosion.
Both the trolley and the boardwalk are handicap accessible.
No. There are numerous qualified guides and rentals company's available in Crystal River that provide these services. A simple google search will help you to find a guide, or please visit discovercrystalriverfl.com
Restrooms and water bottle filling stations are available onsite for patrons visiting by land only.
No. There are many outfitters in Crystal River that provide rentals, please visit discovercrystalriverfl.com for a list of outfitters.
No, we are a day use facility only. Please visit discovercrystalriverfl.com for a listing of campgrounds in Citrus County.
During manatee season, US Fish &Wildlife Service volunteers provide guided walking tours, please inquire with the volunteers at the Boardwalk for the tour schedule.
Three Sisters Springs is an excellent birding site! We have over 100 different documented bird species sighted at the Three Sisters Springs! US Fish &Wildlife Service volunteers offer birding tours throughout the year. Check with the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge for a schedule of tours. Ph: 352-563-2088
Yes, Federal Recreational Land Pass and Duck Stamp holders will have $5 dollars waived from the ticket price of any adult, senior or military ticket. They are also eligible to receive a $20 discount off the price of a Three Sisters Springs Annual Pass or a Crystal River Resident Walk-in Pass.
There is no public parking onsite unless you possess a handicap parking permit. Otherwise access to the refuge is provided via our trolley which is included with daily admission.
Only service animals are allowed at the refuge.
Yes! There are opportunities to photograph manatees from the boardwalk and birds from the wetland trails. Please stay on the designated trails and boardwalk for your safety. Please respect wildlife; camera extension poles (aka selfie-sticks) are not allowed. Drones are not permitted on the refuge. If you are a commercial photographer please contact the Crystal River NWR to obtain a Special Use Permit. Phone: 352-563-2088.
Three Sisters Springs is a wetland habitat and both alligators and venomous snakes live in this habitat. Please respect wildlife and view from a distance. Do not touch, get close to, feed or pick up wild animals.
Voting and Elections
Voting, election and precinct information is available at the Supervisor of Elections website.
Waste Collection
Residential garbage collection includes two (2) weekly collections of garbage per residence.
West of Hwy 19 – Monday & Thursday
East of Hwy 19 – Tuesday & Friday
All trash must be contained within a garbage can or bag and needs to be out no later than 7:00am.
For more information on residential sanitation services click here
Basic yard waste collection occurs every Wednesday City-wide. Please make sure that all yard waste materials, particularly leaves, are secured in a container (bag or box). LOOSE LEAVES WILL NOT BE COLLECTED.
If you have questions please call 795-4216 ext. 314.
Residential recycling is collected once a week city-wide on Wednesday. Please place all recyclable materials inside your supplied bin and place the bin curbside by 7 AM.
To obtain a recycling cart please call the Public Works Department at 795-4216 ext. 314
Weather Emergency
In the event of hazardous weather, the Citrus County Emergency Management Division will activate warning sirens. For information go to the Sheriff's Office Web Site.