Hurricane Ian storm debris collections complete in city of Sarasota as Sarasota County contractors expected soon to make final passes

FEMA and State of Florida to operate mobile disaster recover center in Venice starting Dec. 9

Hurricane Ian storm debris collection has ended in the city of Sarasota, but final passes are expected to begin soon in the unincorporated areas of Sarasota County, staff of both local governments have announced.

Additionally, the county announced on Dec. 8 that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of Florida will operate a mobile disaster recovery center beginning Friday, Dec. 9, in Venice, to assist Hurricane Ian survivors. This facility will be located at the State College of Florida, which stands at 8000 S. Tamiami Trail, county staff noted. It will be open through Tuesday, Dec. 13, except for Sunday, Dec. 11, staff added.

The hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In-person assistance is also available Monday through Saturday at the Disaster Recovery Center located at the Shannon Staub Library in North Port. That facility stands at 4675 Career Lane in North Port. Its hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Sundays, and it will be closed on Dec. 9, county staff reported.

In another, related update, City of Sarasota staff pointed out in a Dec. 6 news release that, in an effort to help “residents as they recover from the impacts of Hurricane Ian, residential and commercial property building permit fees related to storm damage repairs will be waived through Jan. 1, 2023.”

Fees paid for storm damage repairs dating back to Sept. 23 would be refunded to the applicants, that release said.

“Eligible building permits and applications must reference hurricane damage within the work description to qualify for the fee waiver,” the release explained. “This includes repairs to aluminum structures, roof coverings, siding, soffit and facia, electrical service repair, fence repair, tree removal and mechanical replacement.”

Further, the release said, “Properties located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (A or V) and Flood Zones will require additional review and permitting. For major damage repairs, photographs of the interior and exterior of the damaged building also must be submitted with the permit applications.”

However, the release pointed out, “A building permit is not required for temporary, emergency repairs to mitigate wind and/or water damage and to prevent further deterioration of a residential structure.”

The release did emphasize, “All contractors must be licensed, insured, and registered with the City of Sarasota. Property owners should ask for confirmation of licensure.”

For more information about Hurricane Ian building permit fee waivers and refunds in the city of Sarasota, contact the Permitting Division at 941-263-6494.

City resuming regular yard waste collections

A Dec. 2 City of Sarasota news release said that more than 113,200 cubic yards of vegetative storm debris had been picked up in that municipality over the past eight weeks. “That is four times the amount of regular yard waste collected in the city in 2021,” the release noted.

County staff has reported that, over 60 days, its debris contractors had removed more than 3 million cubic yards of debris produced by Hurricane Ian. The 3,004,418 cubic yards “is enough to fill more than 920 Olympic-sized swimming pools,” county staff pointed out.

The city news release also said, “With the conclusion of residential storm debris collection, regular yard waste operations have been reinstated. Residents are reminded to properly prepare yard waste and adhere to City of Sarasota rules for collection.”
Yard waste must be organized as follows:

  • It must be in bags (preferably paper bags) or in a container.
  • Items must be less than 4 feet in length.
  • Bags or individual items must weigh less than 50 pounds.
  • Materials must be placed curbside, 5 feet away from poles, fire hydrants, mailboxes and water meters.

Residents with household items such as furniture, appliances and construction debris should contact the Solid Waste Division to schedule a bulk waste pickup, the release adds: 941-263-6170.

For yard waste and solid waste collection questions, persons also may contact the Solid Waste Division, the release noted.

County update on collections

Sarasota County debris assessment teams were scheduled to travel throughout all storm debris collection zones this week to identify areas with remaining materials and mark them for second (final) pass collections, the county’s notice pointed out.

Residents in unincorporated Sarasota County have been asked to refrain from placing any additional storm-related debris in the rights of way or at the curb. Debris placed curbside on or after Monday, Dec. 5, may be excluded from the debris assessment and not marked for pick-up, staff added.

“When second pass operations begin,” the notice continued, “residents are reminded to stay clear of debris collection trucks. Avoid walking, bicycling and driving motor vehicles or golf carts in close proximity of the trucks. Please do not approach the trucks or truck operators.”

For more information about debris collection visit scgov.net or call 3-1-1.