Florida’s New Hurricane Debris Law: What Homeowners, HOAs & Contractors Need to Know Before the Next Storm
After back-to-back hurricanes in 2024, Florida faced a second crisis—debris.
From furniture to tree limbs to soaked drywall, piles of junk sat curbside for weeks. Some communities waited months. Landfills were overwhelmed. Crews were rerouted. And just as one storm’s debris lingered, another hurricane was already on the radar.
It wasn’t just frustrating—it was dangerous.
Now, Florida lawmakers are making changes. A new bill passed by both the House and Senate is set to transform how cities, counties, and contractors plan for cleanup. But what does that mean for you—and why should you still have a backup plan?
Let’s break it down.
⚠️ The Post-Storm Chaos of 2024
As the WFLA article “Debris chaos from hurricanes prompts legislation in Florida” explains, storms Helene and Milton left behind more than damage—they exposed serious gaps in Florida’s cleanup readiness.
Key problems included:
• No clear pickup schedules: Residents didn’t know when help was coming—or if it was coming at all.
• Landfill congestion: Crews were turned away from sites that were already at capacity.
• No debris staging areas: Some jurisdictions had nowhere to temporarily store waste.
• Contractors bailing for higher-paying jobs: Haulers abandoned local contracts to chase more lucrative work elsewhere.
In short: Nobody was ready. And homeowners paid the price.
✅ What the New Law Actually Requires
The newly passed legislation (awaiting final approval from Gov. DeSantis) sets clear expectations for local governments.
Here’s what cities and counties must now have in place before hurricane season begins:
These are huge steps forward—but they still don’t guarantee fast cleanup, especially in private neighborhoods, gated communities, rural areas, or on contractor-managed sites.
🏠 Why You Still Need a Private Cleanup Plan
This bill is a win for Florida, but it doesn’t cover everything. In fact, the new law puts a spotlight on what local governments must do—but if you’re in an HOA, managing commercial property, or overseeing job sites, you’re still on your own.
Let’s break it down:
• HOAs & Private Roads → Not always eligible for city/county debris pickup.
• Contractors → Still responsible for jobsite waste and cleanup logistics.
• Homeowners → May face weeks of delay if overwhelmed cities can’t get to everyone.
State Sen. Nick DiCeglie, who spearheaded the bill, summed it up perfectly:
“There’s always going to be a level of frustration because you have a pile of debris in front of your home, and you want it gone… we don’t want to be dealing with that five days after a storm.”
Translation? Get ahead of it—now.
🔍 What the Bill Means for Contractors, HOAs, and Property Managers
Contractors:
If you’re managing multiple job sites, your timeline is already tight. After a storm, cities will be busy clearing public roads and government buildings—not helping you haul drywall, fencing, or water-logged debris. You’ll need:
• A fast and flexible debris partner
• Backup staging areas
• Hauling options that don’t rely on the city
HOAs & Property Managers:
You may not qualify for municipal help—especially if roads are private. Your board should be asking:
• Do we have a debris partner lined up?
• Are our vendors reliable, even when storms hit statewide?
• Do residents know the plan?
🧹 Storm Cleanup Prep Checklist
Whether you’re a homeowner or a contractor, here’s how to prep for cleanup before the next hurricane hits:
🛻 Where TrashHelp Comes In
At TrashHelp, we’re already helping contractors, HOAs, and homeowners across Florida prepare smarter:
• Roll-off dumpsters delivered fast—even post-storm
• Grapple truck services for oversized debris
• Full-service cleanups when you’re short on time or staff
• Flexible scheduling across Palm Beach County, Central Florida, and the Gulf Coast
🗓️ We book up quickly during storms—plan ahead now to skip the wait.
💬 A Better System Starts With You
The state is stepping up. That’s good. But this law doesn’t remove the need for personal responsibility and private plans.
So take the WFLA report as your warning and the new legislation as your sign to act.
Because the next storm won’t wait—and neither should you.
📍Need help building your plan? TrashHelp.com has the tools, trucks, and team ready to back you up.
