Frequently Asked Questions

• 10 inland and beach parks
• City Hall
• City Parking Garage
• Garden Center Building
• Police Department (main station and 2 substations)
• Public Works Compound
• Seven Gables House

Contact Customer Service and we will come out and replace the cart. Leave the cart out so we can access it. 

Contact us at 772-467-3794 or pwcustserv_dl@cityoffortpierce.com

You are responsible for keeping your cart clean. You can wash with bleach, water and deodorizer. We only replace carts if they are broken beyond repair.

Occasionally we miss a cart, but the most common reason for a missed pickup is that your cart was not out early enough. It must be curbside by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Another cause of missed pickup is incorrect cart placement: too close to a mailbox, fence, car, or other object, or facing the wrong direction. Allow 4 feet of clearance around your garbage cart (including behind). Overfilled carts (with the lid open) cannot be emptied. For missed collection call the office at 772-467-3794.

Brush is cuttings or trimmings, individual pieces no exceeding 6 inches in diameter or 6 feet in length, from trees, shrubs, or laws and similar materials, which also may include yard trash consisting of leaves, twigs, and other similar objects.

Bulky trash is furniture, appliances, (freon removed, if applicable), mattresses, small household trash that is bagged or containerized, and other household objects too large for routine placement in normal compaction-type collection vehicles via the provided cart. This does not include household garbage (bagged or un-bagged), wet solid waste, construction debris, automotive parts, soil, rocks, stones, tires, electronics, or household hazardous waste (e.g. chemicals, paints, fuel).

Yes! Items from your blue cart are taken to the St. Lucie County Recycling Facility, located at the County Landfill, where they are sorted and sold to manufactures who make them into new products.

Fort Pierce residents that pay for garbage and recycling collection services on their Fort Pierce Utilities (utility bill) are eligible for monthly brush and bulky trash collection services. Non-residential (business) Sanitation customers are not eligible for monthly brush and bulky trash collection services.

Trash and recycle containers must be out at the curb by 7 AM the day of collection. Containers should not be put out more than 24 hours before collection or remain at the curb longer than 24 hours after collection.

To view your pickup day, simply click on the interactive Curbside Collection Map and type in your address. Note: Place waste curbside by 7AM for collection. For more information, please call 772-467-3794.

The City of Fort Pierce provides trash, yard waste and recycling carts to keep our neighborhoods clean. You can request a new cart if you're starting new service or need a repair or replacement cart by contacting us at 772-467-3794.

Visit our website at Public Works Department to explore rates or call 772-467-3794 for questions about your garbage bill.

Solid Waste includes items such as household garbage, recyclables, yard waste and white goods.

Solid Waste picks up on every holiday except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trash collection will resume on your next scheduled service day.

If you open any type of business, whether it be commercial, home or office in the City Limits of Fort Pierce you need a Fort Pierce Business Tax Receipt. The Business Tax Receipt Division is located at the City Clerk's Office. Fees for the license vary depending on the type of business. You need a valid driver's license or picture identification, Employer Identification Number (EIN) or your social security number to apply. State-licensed businesses must provide a copy of the state license. If your company has a fictitious name, you must give the fictitious name registration from the Division of Corporations. 

The City Commission meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month at 5:05 p.m. at City Hall in City Commission Chambers. If the Monday falls on a holiday, the meeting will be held the following day. City Commission agendas are available on our Agendas and Minutes page. The meetings are broadcast on Comcast's Channel 27 FPTV.

A permit is required for relocating trees. Section 22-192 of the City of Fort Pierce Code of Ordinances requires a tree permit to cut down, substantially alter, destroy, remove, relocate or damage any protected trees. The tree removal permit is $35 and can be applied for in the Building Department.

The City Clerk's office can tell you if a contractor is licensed with the city. Call 772-467-3065 for more information.

No, animals are allowed on park grounds, leashed or unleashed; however, the City does have the Maravilla Park (Dog Park) located at 2622 Oleander Ave, Fort Pierce, FL 34982 

Visit the Planning Department webpage and Find your Property. If the property is located within the City of Fort Pierce then email the address (or property ID) together with details of the proposed business to planning@cityoffortpierce.com. We will confirm your zoning district and whether the use is allowed. If it is, you will then need to apply for a Business Tax Receipt.

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For new development projects, applicants must coordinate with the Planning Department for necessary reviews and approvals. The Engineering Department participates in these reviews and provides comments to applicants.

The Building Department is responsible for reviewing all permit applications to ensure all necessary documents are included. They review and inspect all projects prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy. When necessary, the Engineering Department coordinates with the Building Department to ensure construction meets the required codes

Please visit our website at RESIDENTIAL REFUSE Collection | Fort Pierce, FL - Official Website (cityoffortpierce.com) and the interactive map will provide your collection days.

For more information, please call Public Works Customer Service at 772.467.3794

• Roof permits (when product approval is submitted) - same day
• Fences, sheds, signs - 30 days
• Mobile homes - 45 days
• All other projects - 60 days

The minimum required type and size of driveway culvert to be installed within the city R/W is 15 inches round or 12 inches by 18 inches elliptical reinforced concrete. Contact the Engineering Department at 772-467-3782 for invert elevation requirements. The city's survey crew will determine the required inverted elevations. Aluminum pipe is allowed in the private property only. See Code Section 32-9 (b)

The recycling schedule is as follows:

• Tuesdays - Areas between Virginia avenue and south city limits east of 13th Street 
• Wednesdays - Areas between Georgia Avenue and Avenue D 
• Thursdays - Areas between Avenue D and north city limits and south beach 
• Fridays - Areas between Georgia Avenue and Virginia Avenue west of 13th Street 

Yes. Please contact the Department of Engineering for requirements at 772-467-3782.  See Code Section 32-9 (b)

Yes, all driveway locations and installations within city limits are regulated by the Department of Engineering and approved by the City Engineer. See Code Section 32-9 (b)

• Traveling southward on 25th Street, go west on Edwards Road
• Turn south on Selvitz Road
• Proceed southwesterly on Glades Cut-Off Road

Bulk waste is items that do not fit in your 96-gallon green cart. Items collected include furniture, appliances, mattresses, carpet, and large toys. Items NOT collected include automobile parts, motorcycles or parts, lawnmowers or parts, doors, bricks, cinder blocks, rocks, concrete, glass, dirt, sand, sod, drywall, paint, batteries, tires, any commercial waste, or contractor-generated waste. Visit our Public Works page for more information.

Bulk debris is yard debris that does not fit in your 96-gallon black cart. Contain yard debris piles to a manageable size, not exceeding 6 feet. Limbs, logs, and branches cannot exceed 6 inches in diameter or 6 feet in length.

Avoid mixing garbage and yard debris. The yard debris pile must be free of items such as metal, food waste, garbage, soil, sod, and stones. Please do not place yard debris within five (5) feet of a fence, vehicle, mailbox, power line, poles, downed electrical wiring, storm drains, etc.

For general questions or concerns, you may reach the Code Enforcement office at (772) 467-3720 during our normal office hours of Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Code Enforcement Officers work a majority of their day in the field. If you are unable to reach them by phone, please leave a voicemail and they will return your call at their earliest convenience.

Yes, with a special exception permit. A special exception permit may be issued by the Animal Control Manager as long as the livestock does not create a nuisance, health hazard or danger, and if the livestock is not being raised for public consumption.

Yes, with a special exception permit. A special exception permit may be issued by the Animal Control Manager as long as the exotic animal does not create a nuisance, health hazard or danger, and if the exotic animal is not being raised for public consumption.

Community Cats, which are cats spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies are permitted outdoors.  A Community Cat is identified by its ear tipped, all other cats are considered strays and are prohibited. 

Yes, chickens are permitted and special exception is required.  The allowance is 6 chickens, which must be kept in a coop.  

In an emergency, call 911 immediately from any wired or wireless phone.

An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance. Examples include:

• A fire
• A crime, especially if in progress
• A car crash, especially if someone is injured
• A medical emergency, such as someone who is unconscious, gasping for air or not breathing, experiencing an allergic reaction, having chest pain, having uncontrollable bleeding, or any other symptoms that require immediate medical attention

Important: If you’re not sure whether the situation is a true emergency, The department recommends calling 911 and letting the call-taker determine whether you need emergency help.

When you call 911, be prepared to answer the call-taker’s questions, which may include:

• The location of the emergency, including the street address
• The phone number you are calling from
• The nature of the emergency
• Details about the emergency, such as a physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, a description of any fire that may be burning, or a description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency

Remember, the call-taker’s questions are important to get the right kind of help to you quickly.

Be prepared to follow any instructions the call-taker gives you. Call-takers are trained professionals and can tell you exactly what to do to help in an emergency until help arrives, such as providing step-by-step instructions to aid someone who is choking or needs first aid or CPR.

Finally, do not hang up until the call-taker instructs you to.

If you dial 911 by mistake, or if a child in your home dials 911 when no emergency exists, do not hang up—that could make 911 officials think that an emergency exists, and possibly send responders to your location. Instead, simply explain to the call-taker what happened.

Information about domestic violence can be found at the following links:

• Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV)
• National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
• St. Lucie Clerk of the Circuit Court

• Safely pull over to a place out of traffic flow as soon as emergency lights are activated.
• Sit calmly, with your hands visible on the steering wheel.
• If you have passengers ask them to sit quietly with their hands visible.
• Avoid sudden movements or ducking in the seat; these actions can unnecessarily alarm the officer.
• At night, turn on your inside light when you pull the car over.
• Do not get out of your car unless the officer asks you to step out.
• If you are asked to do so, comply in a calm manner.
• Communicate your actions in advance by telling the officer what you will be doing before you move.
• If requested, you must give the officer your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. (Tell the officer where it is before reaching for it.)
• If you are issued a citation, you may be asked to sign it. This is not an admission of guilt.
• Clarify the circumstances, but guilt or innocence can only be determined in court.
• Arguments over citations or protests about the situation cannot be resolved on the side of the road.

• Certified copies of records (if needed) $1.00/page
• Non certified copies of records (2 sided) $ .20/page
• Non certified copies of records (1 sided) $ .15/page
• Records Checks $2.00 each
• Finger Printing $5.00 each

The COVID-19 Small Business Grant(s) provide one-time assistance to eligible City of Fort Pierce businesses who have experienced total business closure, reduction in business hours, as a result of the Governor’s Executive Order and the COVID-19 pandemic only.  Eligible businesses must be able to continue to meet basic needs once assistance is provided.

The program is not designed to assist those who were not financially impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.   

The City is utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, CARES Act funds, and local general revenue funds to support this program. The rules and regulations associated with Sections 420.9071-420.9079 F.S. chapter 67-37 F.A.C., and 24 CFR Part 570, will govern the use of the funds.

Businesses in the corporate city limits Fort Pierce.  You must be able to document that you had total business closure, reduction in business hours employment are a result of the COVID-19 pandemic only.

Grant requirements are as follows:

• Applicant(s)/Business(es) must have current City of Fort Pierce Business Tax Receipt.
• Applicant(s)/Business(es) must have documentable information to evidence complete business closure, reduction in business hours or employees, resulting in a loss of business income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
•  Business Financials:
  • Sole Proprietors
    • Schedule C with federal income tax return
    • Most recent Monthly or Quarterly Sales and Use Tax Report
• All other ownership types
  • 2018 or 2019 Federal Corporate Income Tax Return (form(s) 1040,1065,1120,1120S)
  • Most recent Monthly or Quarterly Sales and Use Tax Report
• Copy of Driver’s License, state id, voter registration or passport
• Full employee listing (as of January 1, 2020 – March 31, 2020)
• Payroll/Unemployment report prior to March 17, 2020

Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant (26-100 employees) must meet requirements above AND 

• Businesses must not have received any other federal assistance for COVID19 disaster relief.
• Must demonstrate Job Creation or Retention filled by or be available to people with lower income.

Businesses that were impacted by the Governor’s Executive Order requiring industries to close.

*    Defined impacted eligible industries include:

•    Restaurant (includes full-service, limited-service, and café establishments)

•    Bar

•    Retail (physical brick-and-mortar establishment selling merchandise)

•    Personal Service

•    Hair, beauty, and other personal services (salons, barbers, massage parlors, tattoo, spas, etc.)

•    Personal care services (child, disabled, & elderly care services, funeral services, etc.)

•    Laundry services (dry cleaning, laundromats, garment repairs and alterations, etc.)

•    Cleaning services

•    Pet care services

•    Personal and household goods repairs & maintenance

•    Fitness centers and gyms

•    Event spaces & services