Commercial Property Debris Removal (CPDR)

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Commercial Property Debris Removal (CPDR) is the removal, reduction and disposal of debris from a commercial property.

The need for CPDR is usually caused by a natural disaster such as a major weather event.

In most cases, debris removal from commercial properties is not automatically eligible for federal assistance under FEMA and commercial property owners are typically responsible for clearing their own debris.

Hurricane Milton CPDR Update:

In partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and FEMA, the county’s debris hauler will make one pass for debris placed in the Right of Way in front of condominiums, apartment complexes and trailers parks. Learn more here.

CPDR is the removal, reduction and disposal of debris from a commercial property. This is typically caused by a natural disaster, such as Hurricane Milton. 

According to FEMA, commercial properties are any businesses or other properties such as industrial parks, golf courses, cemeteries, apartments, condominiums, and trailer parks.

Commercial property owners are advised to work with their private insurance provider.

In most cases, debris removal from commercial properties is not automatically eligible for federal assistance under FEMA and commercial property owners are typically responsible for clearing their own debris. It is at the discretion of FEMA whether a waiver is issued permitting commercial property to be eligible for debris removal through the county. Debris would have to pose an immediate threat to public health and safety, be a direct result of a declared disaster, and must be deemed to be in the best interest of the public. Even if these conditions are met, it is not guaranteed a waiver will be granted.
Removal of debris from commercial properties is generally ineligible because commercial enterprises are expected to retain insurance that covers debris removal. In very limited, extraordinary circumstances, FEMA may provide an exception. In such cases, the Applicant must meet the requirements of Chapter 7:I.E.1. Approval Process and FEMA must approve the work prior to the Applicant removing the debris.

After Hurricane Ian, Lee County met these extraordinary circumstances because Fort Myers Beach took a direct hit from the storm. 

Any commercial debris that Lee County collects without a waiver from FEMA is ineligible for reimbursement. This means that local taxpayers would be responsible for the cost of cleanup. The estimated cost of Hurricane Milton CPDR is about $7.5 million. 

A Right of Entry (ROE) is a legal form that allows the county and its contractors to access a property to assess damage, install temporary coverings and remove debris. FEMA regulations require that private or gated communities have a current Right of Entry and Indemnification form on file with Lee County before any disaster debris recovery crews are allowed to enter the community. 

Lee County has an easy, online process for professional property managers and residential homeowners’ association (HOA) presidents to submit the necessary paperwork. Forms are available on the ROE Communities page for communities located within unincorporated Lee County. 

Filling out the form is quick, easy and must be done once a year. Lee County encourages all HOAs to take time to complete the form prior to the start of hurricane season. If your community does not complete the Right of Entry Form, they will be ineligible for debris collection. 

All debris set out by the curb should be placed in the right of way directly outside of the property where the debris was removed. Right of ways are designated areas of land maintained for public access and use and begin where the road or sideway end. 
  • Most Important – Please set storm debris at the curb away from your normal household trash and recycling; it will be collected and documented separately.
  • Place storm debris at the curb in three separate piles: garbage, yard waste and building debris. Federal Emergency Management Agency rules require documentation of the volume and type of debris collected to reimburse the county for storm clean up.
  • Garbage must be placed in a 40-gallon can or heavy mil plastic bag each weighing no more than 50 pounds. If you have a larger county-provided container for automated garbage collection, you may use that as well. Garbage will be collected on residents regularly scheduled collection day by the County’s Solid Waste franchise hauler.
  • Yard waste does not need to be bundled after the storm. Place it in piles that can easily be managed by collection personnel with a claw truck.
  • To expedite collection, do not place anything beneath low hanging obstacles like trees or power lines or near anything like meter boxes, backflow devices, fire hydrants or mailboxes.
  • Food must be removed from any appliance set at the curb. Inedible food should be placed with the garbage for collection by the County’s Solid Waste franchise hauler.

Lee County follows federal guidelines that state that commercial properties must go through their insurance providers to cover the cost of debris removal. If Lee County makes an exception to this guideline without a waiver from FEMA, they will need to redistribute over $7.5 million in taxpayer money to collect debris from commercial properties. It is unsustainable for the county to pay for CPDR after every storm. 

It is predicted that Hurricanes will become more frequent and more severe as time goes on. With the increasing frequency of Gulf Hurricanes, counties are looking to create more resiliency towards Hurricane related storms by encouraging residents to take measures to improve their infrastructure.  



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