The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has four full-time environmental enforcement officers who are working hard to keep our environment safe and clean. Deputies assigned to the environmental enforcement unit of the Sheriff’s Office and enforce all environmental laws for the state and county. The deputies deal with a wide spectrum of environmental enforcement including: abandoned cars, run down buildings, illegal dumping, poaching, and watching the local logging operation. They also assist county officials and the local health department in inspecting complaints. In a single month, the environmental deputies may investigate between 80 and 100 cases.
A clean environment is everyone’s responsibility – do your part: buy smart, use products wisely, dispose properly and report environmental violation to the Sheriff’s Office.
Please recycle whenever possible and do not litter.
Okaloosa County Ordinances
There are a number of county ordinances that help to protect the environment. Ordinance 87-33 deals with accumulation of debris and abandoned vehicles on private and public property. Details are outlined within the County Codes manual, Appendix E Land Development Code, Chapter 9 Operational Performance Standards, section 9.02.00. Litter and Nuisance Control. County Ordinances are supported by the Florida State Statutes and enforced by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Environmental Enforcement Division.
Highlights of Litter and Nuisance Control
Litter: Refuse and rubbish including, but not limited to, paper, bottles, cans, glass crockery, scrap metals, plastic, rubber, yard trash, tar paper, lumber, masonry, concrete, drywall, packing and crating materials, discarded appliances, tires, trees and shrub trimmings, leaves, disposable packages and containers and any other solid waste matter visible to the eye.
Abandoned Vehicle: Any motor vehicle, boat or trailer on private or public property, without a current unexpired license plate and which had been left unprotected from the elements.
Requirements for Correction:
- Current registration (license plate) on vehicle; OR
- Move vehicle inside garage or carport; OR
- Remove vehicle from property and properly dispose of.
Note: Under no circumstances can a vehicle, boat or trailer be stored in the right of way or roadway.
Nuisance: Any violation of this ordinance is declared to be a public nuisance and subject to abatement as such in accordance with the terms of this ordinance.
Enforcement-Written Corrective Notice: A written statement shall be issued to the violator or his/her agent of any provisions of this ordinance. It shall identify and specify the violation(s), the date and time of issuance, corrective measures to be taken and the date correction(s) are to be completed.
Penalty: Failure to comply with written notice shall be prosecuted for a misdemeanor offense. Any person found guilty of any provisions of this county ordinance shall be punished by a fine and/or imprisonment.
