Important Notice

• If you have clean sand from the beach on your property, you may return it to the beach and dune above the high tide line (mean high water). It must be free from stains, odors, or debris, and you must not place it over dune plants, hurricane-generated debris, or construction debris. Do not put sand in your trash or out on the road.
• Any sand that does not meet the definition of clean sand may be taken to a Florida Department (Department) of Environmental Protection-authorized Disaster Debris Management Site that has been designated by the local government to accept the sand. The Department, or a local government on behalf of the Department, may bring an enforcement action against any public or private property owner that violates the requirements of this paragraph.
• If using heavy equipment, be cautious of buried water lines or other infrastructure/utilities. Call 811 or go to https://sunshine811.com/

We are working to collect and screen it to remove debris and return it to the beach.

Coastal Setback Code Chapter 54, Article XXII 

The County’s Coastal Setback Code (Chapter 54, Article XXII) provides some guidance for emergency variances for properties on the barrier islands that are seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line. 

(f) Class I Emergency Variances. The Code Administrator may grant Class I Emergency Variances under the circumstances and procedures identified in this subsection, that would permit Construction and/or Excavation Seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line or Waterward of the Barrier Island Pass Twenty-Year Hazard Line.

(1) Class I Emergency Variances: The Code Administrator may administratively grant a Class I Emergency Variance for any property or properties, or a general Class I Emergency Variance for any area, in emergencies. In determining whether an emergency exists, the Code Administrator shall utilize best professional judgement taking the following factors into consideration:

a. Whether primary structures, swimming pools, septic systems, roads or public facilities have been damaged or destroyed;

b. Whether primary structures, swimming pools, septic systems, roads or other public facilities are directly and immediately threatened due to proximity to the mean high water line;

c. The historic erosion trends;

d. The rate of change in erosion;

e. Other site-specific conditions, including but not limited to the presence of beach stabilizing vegetation, the height and configuration of the eroded bluff, the distance of structures from the eroding bluff, the potential for adverse impacts to neighboring properties, the elevation and slope of the beach;

f. Opportunity for alternatives, such as sand placement or dune restoration.

(2) A Class I Emergency Variance may be granted only for the temporary placement of sandbags for a period not to exceed three years, debris removal, repair or replacement of roadways, or temporary installation of foundation underpinnings within an existing structure's footprint when the existing structure has been undermined or destabilized by erosion. Sandbags must contain beach-compatible sand from an off-site source.

The Code Administrator may impose reasonable conditions upon the granting of a Class I Emergency Variance, including that development take place in accordance with a site plan; be designed to minimize damage to Beach stabilizing features and lateral pedestrian access; that the Code Administrator may annually inspect the sandbags to determine their condition and functionality; that the sandbags be removed within a three-year period from the date of issuance of the Class I emergency variance; that a variance granted by the Board authorizing the foundation underpinnings on a permanent basis be obtained within a three-year period from the date of issuance of the Class I emergency variance; be reviewed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection; and, meet Construction requirements and conditions established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

(3) Factors considered by the Code Administrator in evaluating authorization, removal, or revocation of Class I Emergency Variances may include, but are not limited to:

a. The general status of the beach and dune system, such as erosion and accretion trends or events;

b. The condition of or impacts to adjacent areas, such as upland areas and neighboring properties;

c. The condition of native vegetation and opportunities for dune enhancement and restoration as an alternative to sandbag placement;

d. The distance from the mean high water line;

e. The type, size, and composition of bag used and condition of the sandbags over time, and whether they provide protection to the threatened structure;

f. Efforts of the property owner to seek approval for long-term shoreline management options; and

g. Existing violations of this Article or conditions of a Class I Emergency Variance.

(4) The Code Administrator or Board, respectively, may modify or revoke a Class I Emergency Variance by following the same procedures as provided for approval of it.

(g) Class II Emergency Variances. The Board may grant Class II emergency variances, under the circumstances and procedures identified in this subsection that would permit Construction and/or Excavation Seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line or Waterward of the Barrier Island Pass Twenty-Year Hazard line.

(1) The Board may grant such variances only when the Board determines that strict enforcement of the provisions of this article would impose an unreasonable Hardship On The Land and; that the proposed action will minimize adverse impacts to Coastal Systems, and; that the variance would not be in substantial conflict with the attainment of the purpose of this article, and; the Board shall grant only the minimum variance necessary to protect reasonable use of the property until the Applicant applies for and obtains a regular variance, if necessary, for a more permanent structure, and shall not grant emergency variances for the creation of new lands or new permanent structures that did not exist before the emergency arose.

(2) The Board may impose reasonable conditions upon the granting of the variance and may require that development take place in accordance with a site plan; be designed to minimize damage to Beach stabilizing features and to minimize the need for subsequent variances for the Construction of seawalls or similar Shore Protection Structures; be designed to minimize adverse impacts to lateral public pedestrian access; be restricted to completion of Construction, repair, or Excavation within a fixed time from the date the variance is granted; be reviewed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and that construction requirements established by state authorities be implemented. The Board may require the Applicant to apply for a regular variance pursuant to Section 54-724(a) or (b) within a specified time period after the granting of an emergency variance. Fees for emergency variances shall be the same as for regular variances, but may be waived or credited toward applications for regular variances submitted for the same property or properties within one year of the date the Board grants the emergency variance.

(3) Reserved.

(4) The Board may grant a Class II emergency variance after holding a public hearing when, because of special circumstances beyond the control of the petitioner, the Applicant is unable to file and obtain a variance under Section 54-724(a) or (b) of this article, in time to prevent damage to existing structures. Class II emergency variances may be granted only for Temporary Shore Protection Measures, or repair or replacement of utilities, roadways, and public facilities. No Class II emergency variance shall be considered by the Board until such time as notice of the public hearing on the proposed variance has been given by posting of the property at least five (5) days in advance of the public hearing in accordance with the provisions of Section 54-724(e)(3).

(5) The Code Administrator or Board, respectively, may modify or revoke a Class II emergency variance by following the same procedures as provided for approval of it.

For additional information, please see the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Emergency Authorization for Repairs, Replacement, Restoration, and Certain Other Measures handout. 

Overview

The Environmental Protection Division focuses on three main areas to “meet the community expectations for a high-quality environment:”

• Air and water quality
• Environmental permitting
• Environmental planning

Air and Water Quality manages the protection and restoration of Sarasota County’s air and water resources from impacts of pollution. Through various programs and in partnerships with industry, we work to safeguard our natural resources wherever there is the potential to pollute our air and water, including:

• Domestic wastewater treatment plants
• Petroleum storage tank facilities
• Industrial and commercial businesses

Environmental Permitting and Projects ensure protection of Sarasota County’s natural resources through reviewing permits, conducting compliance and monitoring, and encouraging environmental stewardship with a focus on planning, policy, and projects that protect Sarasota County's natural resources. Concentration areas include:

• Trees
• Mangroves
• Earthmoving
• Water
• Comprehensive Plan
• Land Use
• Policy Development
• Ordinance Amendments
• Major Costal Initiatives
• Wildlife Conservation
• Other Environmental Initiatives

Document Library

Contact Us