Lake County, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Storm Debris (2026)

Sec. 2-186 gives the County Manager authority to remove disaster-generated debris only after a declared major or catastrophic disaster, and only when removal eliminates an immediate threat to life or health, prevents significant damage to county property, or supports community-wide economic recovery. On county rights-of-way, crews first run a cut-and-toss pass to clear the travel lanes for search, rescue and utility access, then move to a full removal pass; the county notifies residents of the start date and warns before the final pass. After that final pass, residents become responsible for anything left, whether through self-provided haul-off, a private contractor, or their regular solid waste service.

Private property owners adjoining a right-of-way or private road must stack debris with its leading edge inside the three-foot shoulder area, separated into five categories: putrescent and mixed household debris, vegetative debris, construction and demolition debris, white goods, and hazardous household or electronic waste. Placement cannot block the roadway, traffic signals, or stormwater structures, and must stay clear of power lines, water meters, and a three-foot buffer around power poles, fire hydrants, vehicles, mailboxes and fences. Removal from private roads happens only if the County Manager determines it is necessary for life-safety or recovery, and the county can require a right-of-entry agreement, including inside gated communities, before entering private property.

Hazardous trees or limbs get removed on county property only if the damage was disaster-caused and the tree threatens a structure, an ingress/egress route, or a right-of-way; hazard limbs threatening private property but rooted in the county right-of-way are removed, but limbs overhanging private roads from private trees stay the private owner's responsibility.