St. Lucie County, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Storm Debris (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- St. Lucie County Code § 38-161
- Base emergency duration
- 7 days, renewable in 7-day increments
- Extended duration
- Up to 30 days if structures/infrastructure threatened
- Declaring authority
- County administrator via Resolution No. 00-277
- Private community access
- Requires right-of-entry permit and agreement first
- Contractor debris
- Contractor, not county, must remove its own debris
Summary
St. Lucie County's code lets the county administrator declare a local state of emergency and, under that declaration, order the collection and removal of storm debris from public and private property, including gated communities, once a hurricane or other disaster leaves widespread debris blocking roads and threatening health and safety.
(d)Emergency powers. During the state of emergency, the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the county by law may be waived by the county administrator and he may authorize actions pertaining to the following as he deems necessary:(2)Determining a threat to public health and safety that may result from the generation of widespread debris throughout the county, that such debris constitutes a hazardous environment for all modes of movement and transportation of the residents as well as emergency aid and relief services, endangerment to all properties in the county, an environment conducive to breeding disease and vermin, and greatly increased risk of fire, and that it is in the public interest to collect and remove disaster debris from all property whether public lands, public or private roads, and gated communities...(4)Authorize the removal of debris and wreckage resulting from a major disaster from all property whether public lands, public or private roads, or gated communities for a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Land Development Code: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
Section 38-161 of the St. Lucie County Code, adopted under Ordinance No. 06-027 and amended by Ordinance No. 15-015, gives the county administrator or a designee authority to declare a local state of emergency pursuant to County Resolution No. 00-277 whenever a natural or manmade disaster has occurred or is imminent. A declared emergency runs for seven days but can be extended in seven-day increments, and if the emergency threatens private structures or public infrastructure it can stay in effect for up to 30 days.
During that window the administrator may waive normal county procedures and authorize public work needed for health, safety and welfare, find that widespread debris creates a hazardous environment for travel and emergency access and breeds disease, vermin and fire risk, and order debris and wreckage collected from all property, public or private roads and gated communities alike. Before crews enter a private or gated community to remove storm-generated debris, the county must obtain a right-of-entry permit and agreement from that community, and the code directs the county to add new communities to its list of agreements annually so the paperwork is ready before the next storm.
The board of county commissioners keeps the power to declare, limit or terminate the emergency itself when convened in a regular or special meeting, so the administrator's authority under this section does not override the board.
Violations & Fines
This section places responsibility, not penalties, on the parties involved in debris removal. The county, FEMA, the state and their contractors are held harmless for property or personal damage arising from debris removal once a right-of-entry agreement is in place. A contractor who generates debris during authorized work is responsible for removing and disposing of that debris; the county is not responsible for it. The county administrator, a designee, or enforcement officials carry out the section with or without further instructions from the board of county commissioners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who orders storm debris removal in St. Lucie County?
How long does the county's debris-removal authority last after a hurricane?
Can crews remove debris from my gated community without permission?
Who pays if a contractor's own debris needs cleanup?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Lucie County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare St. Lucie County to another location·View the Florida hurricane preparedness overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.