Bradenton, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Storm Debris (2026)

Section 18-2 of the Bradenton Code, titled Hurricane protection, targets one specific debris problem: loose material at construction sites when a storm approaches. It is unlawful for any person to allow construction-related materials, including roof tiles, lumber, scaffolding and debris, to remain loose or otherwise unsecured at a construction site from 24 hours after a hurricane watch has been issued until the hurricane watch or warning has been lifted. All such materials must be either removed from the construction site or secured so as to minimize the danger of damage to persons or property from high winds. The list of materials reads including, but not limited to, so it is not closed.

The trigger is a hurricane watch, not a warning, and the prohibition starts 24 hours after the watch is issued. It stays in force until the watch or warning has been lifted, so a watch that upgrades to a warning does not restart the clock.

The hurricane rule sits beside the ordinary site debris rule in § 18-1. The permit holder of any active or inactive construction project must clean up and remove all construction debris and other miscellaneous discarded articles before receiving final inspection approval. Construction job sites must be kept clean, and accumulation of construction debris cannot remain on the property for more than 14 days. All debris must be contained so it is not spread onto the property or adjacent property by any means.

A third debris provision sits in the unsafe structures ordinance. When the building official has an unsafe building demolished under § 18-36, the demolition includes removing all debris from the premises, and the cost is billed to the owner of record. Section 18-36 also lists a natural disaster such as hurricane, tornado or flood among the good-cause reasons for extending a repair or demolition deadline beyond 120 days.