Macon-Bibb County, GA Hurricane Preparedness: Storm Debris (2026)

Section 9-17 makes disaster-generated debris on private property the property owner's responsibility in the first instance; Macon-Bibb County will remove debris piles from public and private rights-of-way only if the County Manager, in consultation with FEMA, determines the debris is so widespread or severe it poses a serious and immediate threat to life, health, or safety. Burning of disaster debris is prohibited at all times, and the county will not haul away large stumps, land-clearing debris, or ordinary household cleanup that is not a direct result of the disaster.

Residential owners who want county pickup must collect and pile all disaster debris before the county's last collection pass; anything put out after that pass will not be removed. Owners must also segregate structural debris, vegetative debris, and household waste into separate piles, bagging household waste in garbage receptacles, and place piles in front of the residence at the edge of the roadway so emergency and utility access is not blocked. If the county finds debris commingled or improperly sorted, the owner has 48 hours to fix the segregation; missing that window shifts removal cost entirely onto the owner.

Nonresidential and community-property owners get no county pickup and must clear their own disaster debris within 60 days of the disaster's end, and may not move it onto or mix it with residential piles; tub grinding operations on nonresidential debris must run at least 200 feet from residential property. Communities with private, gated rights-of-way must keep gates open around the clock, or provide crews on-demand access, for the duration of any declared emergency so debris crews and emergency vehicles can get through.