Santa Rosa County Lets Isaias-Displaced Residents Park an RV or Trailer Anywhere for a Year - and Opens Animal Shelter Week
Santa Rosa County's recovery package is now on the books: temporary living quarters in every zoning district for one year, debris pickup authorized on private roads, two more weeks of free vegetative drop-offs - and a proclamation making November 1-7 National Animal Shelter Week in the county.
Santa Rosa County residents displaced by Hurricane Isaias can now legally live in a recreational vehicle or a travel trailer on their own land - in any zoning district in the county - for a year. The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to permit temporary living quarters, including RVs and travel trailers, in all zoning districts during the Isaias recovery period, for a duration of one year, according to the county's Board highlights release. The county notes the measure is similar to one the Board approved after Hurricane Ivan, and it is the county-level counterpart to the City of Milton's separate three-year ordinance for its own displaced residents.
The same Board actions reach the debris still lining Santa Rosa streets. Commissioners unanimously authorized debris removal from privately maintained roadways - the subdivision and gated-community streets the county's regular pickup cannot enter on its own - where the removal addresses a clear public health and safety need; homeowners' associations must first execute a right-of-entry and hold-harmless form, which the county has posted online. And residents hauling their own storm debris get two more weeks of relief: the Board unanimously extended its waiver of fees for residential vegetative debris brought by county residents to the Central Landfill and the Jay Transfer Station, with three established drop-off locations accepting debris at no charge.
The Board also looked past the storm. Commissioners proclaimed November 1-7, 2026 - this week - as National Animal Shelter Week in Santa Rosa County, recognizing the staff, volunteers, foster families and supporters of Santa Rosa County Animal Services for their work caring for homeless animals, promoting responsible pet ownership and connecting animals with permanent homes. The proclamation encourages residents to support the shelter through adoption, fostering, volunteering and donations - a fitting ask in a county where the recovery has displaced pets alongside their people.
