Bonita Springs, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Storm Debris (2026)

Section 32-1 of the Bonita Springs Code, adopted by Ordinance 18-03 on January 17, 2018, governs disaster debris removal from private communities. Its mission order is protecting lives and property, restoring governmental services and clearing public streets first. The code treats removal from private residential communities as the responsibility of the private community as a general proposition, and allows city action only for an immediate threat to life, public health and safety after a significant disaster.

Under subsection (c), once the mayor has declared a state of emergency, the city can remove debris from private residential communities when it poses an immediate threat to the health, safety and welfare of the community. The mayor applies one of 14 listed standards, including rescue vehicles being significantly hindered, debris that can cause disease, restoration of power, water, sewer and telephone, garbage collection being blocked, contaminants that could leach into soil or the aquifer, mold, drainage interference and sheer volume. A private residential community includes private streets and roads within a private homeowners, condominium or residential community not owned or controlled by a governmental entity.

Before the city removes anything, subsection (e) requires the property owner, community association or governance board to indemnify and hold harmless the federal, state and local government and their employees, officers and agents. Subsection (f) lets the mayor clear commercial and other areas when clearance aids recovery, with the same indemnity. Subsection (h) preserves a first response to clear and push debris from all roadways, both public and private, for emergency vehicles within the first 70 hours after a disaster declaration. Subsection (i) says nothing requires the city to remove debris from private property beyond the private streets needed for access and egress, unless the mayor finds a significant immediate threat.

Subsection (j) requires private communities, in the event of a hurricane warning, to provide reasonable access for emergency vehicles and debris removal personnel, or to secure the gates open. The chapter 32 editor's note says the solid waste provisions themselves are on file in the city clerk's office and are not included in this volume.