Jacksonville Beach, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Storm Debris (2026)

Section 2-196 of the Jacksonville Beach Code puts disaster debris removal on the city, its designee or its contractor for widespread debris on public land, public or private roadways, and roadways in gated communities. The debris must be determined to be a public threat to health or safety, and the city manager makes that determination. The same section draws a line at the property edge: the city is not responsible for debris generated from private residential or commercial property unless the debris is in the public right-of-way.

The city can still step onto private property when removal is required to lessen an immediate threat to life, public health and safety, to reduce the threat of additional damage to improved property, or to promote economic recovery of the community. The city manager decides that on a case by case basis, so no homeowner is guaranteed pickup from a private yard. Section 2-194(a)(13) adds that the mayor and city manager, jointly, can authorize removal of debris and wreckage from a major disaster from all property, including public lands, public or private roads and gated communities, once a state of emergency or disaster is declared.

Section 2-194(a)(12) authorizes access to private roads, easements and gated communities for debris removal and other emergency work. Section 2-197 requires a right of entry permit and agreement from private and gated communities before disaster-generated debris is removed from their property, and the city manager or a designee provides and updates that form and keeps a record of each agreement.