DEBRIS COLLECTION – FINAL PASS
Since Sarasota County began collecting debris from Hurricane Ian on Oct. 6, debris contractors have operated from sunup to sundown seven days a week. As of Nov. 21, more than 2.6 million cubic yards of vegetative, construction and demolition, and household goods debris have been collected.
Areas within unincorporated county were divided into 38 collections zones to manage debris collection operations efficiently and safely. As these debris collection zones are reaching substantial completion, the county is developing the final plan for debris removal.
To facilitate final debris collection, qualified hurricane related debris, including vegetative, construction and demolition, and household goods, must be placed curbside by midnight on Dec. 4 for all collection zones N, E, M, C, S.
Remember to separate storm debris by type and place at the curbside in the right-of-way away from mailboxes, utility connections, vehicles, telephone poles, and overhanging trees or wires.
Ineligible debris such as freshly cut vegetative debris, items from household move outs or from garage cleanouts that are not the result of hurricane damage are ineligible for collection and will not be picked up. Any debris that was tagged by the county as being improperly prepared for collection must be corrected before the zone deadline.
Commercial properties, commercial contractors, or commercial tree services are not permitted to place construction and demolition or vegetative hurricane debris on public-rights-of-way for county collection or to avoid disposal fees. This is illegal dumping and is subject to code enforcement actions. They are encouraged to work through their insurance, the Small Business Administration, or other means for recovery and debris removal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
- When do I need to have the rest of my debris placed out for collection?
- Dec. 4 for zone N, E, M, C, and S.
- How do you know I have more debris?
- Assessment teams with Sarasota County debris contractors will be in the field documenting eligible debris for collection during this final pass. Only eligible debris recorded by the assessment teams will be collected.
- What if my debris was not collected on the first pass?
- FEMA considers commercial establishments, industrial parks, golf courses, cemeteries, apartments, condominiums, mobile home parks and manufactured home communities as commercial properties. These types of properties are generally deemed ineligible and are therefore excluded for debris removal under FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program and are not considered eligible for debris removal by Sarasota County.
- Private roadways and gated communities are required to submit a Right of Entry/Hold Harmless form to the county for review and consideration for debris removal. Not all private roadways and gated communities are deemed eligible by FEMA for the county to conduct debris removal.
- How can I get my debris removed if I live in a commercial property area?
- You are encouraged to work through their insurance, the Small Business Administration, or other means for recovery and debris removal.
- What types of debris will not be collected?
- Freshly cut vegetative debris, items from household move outs or from garage cleanouts that are not the result from hurricane damage are ineligible for collection and will not be picked up.
- Will debris placed to the curb after my zone deadline be collected?
- Debris removal and disposal will then become the responsibility of the property owner.
- What does the yellow/orange tag on my debris mean?
- The tag is for debris that was improperly prepared for collection. The tag is marked to show the type of remediation needed for this debris to qualify for collection.
- Will my stump or rootball be collected?
- Tree stumps/root balls from residential property that placed at the right-of-way and are greater than 24 inches in diameter measured four feet from the base will be collected towards the end of the debris collection process.
- What is considered illegal dumping?
- Commercial and private or gated properties, commercial contractors, and commercial tree services are not permitted to place construction and demolition or vegetative storm hurricane debris on public-rights-of-way for county collection or to avoid disposal fees. This is illegal dumping and is subject to code enforcement actions.