Sand and sandbag post-hurricane instructions
Residents can use over-washed sand to fill in holes and may return sand to the beach as long as the below requirements are met, including the return of sand to the beach dune system which has been deposited upland by the storm.
No state or local government permit or other authorization shall be required for a public or private property owner to return clean sand back onto the beach that has been deposited on the owner’s property by the storm, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection email referencing the emergency authorization.
“Clean sand” is defined as sand that does not have stains or odors and that is similar to the pre-hurricane beach sand in both coloration and grain size.
It must be free of debris, rocks, clay or other foreignmatter. This clean sand can be collected and placedabove the high tide line (or mean high water line) on the beach and dune system.
Sand may not be placed over any existing native vegetation or storm generated debris on the beach. Any sand that does not meet the definition of clean sand may be taken to a department authorized Disaster Debris Management Site that has been designated by the local government to accept the sand.
Residents who picked up sand and sandbags from their local fire department in anticipation of Hurricane Milton are asked to save the sandbags for reuse, use them around their home, or properly dispose of them.
