Frequently Asked Questions

We empower and guide neighborhoods who are willing to help themselves become a better place to live.

The future holds endless opportunities for us in Neighborhood Planning, but also for the neighborhoods throughout the County. Some of the things we will be doing are:

• Fostering Additional Partnerships
• Asset Based Mapping
• Enhanced Communications
• Disaster Preparedness
• Strengthening Communities

Neighborhood Planning Division is always on the lookout for additional grants available through public and private organizations.

A neighborhood association is one of the best ways to build relationships between neighbors.  Members of a neighborhood may go years without knowing neighbors two doors away.  A spirit of warmth and friendliness can be generated through the formation of an association.  Also, neighbors become familiar with each other’s needs, interests and become more supportive in problem solving. 

Through an association, your neighborhood has a unified voice in Manatee County government.  The services that Manatee County can provide to your neighborhood can be accessed efficiently through an association.  Information on County services can also be provided to a greater number of neighbors, resulting in a benefit to the neighborhood as a whole.  If your neighborhood needs improvements, local residents are the best resources to help initiate change. 

Neighborhood associations work with County staff and residents to develop long range beautification and improvement projects.

You might begin by speaking with a few neighbors who seem to care about neighborhood issues.  Those people would then spread the word to others in the area.  You could reach out to the community by putting together a flyer for an informal meeting.  At that meeting discuss a purpose and move forward with the organization.  A block party is a great idea to meet your neighbors.

Contact Sherry Weydert, Neighborhood Specialist, for assistance in starting an organization.  Her number is (941) 749-3029, xt 6818.

You may want to go through an assessment...

Assessments, which are part of the Public Works Department, are programs whereby the residents pay for improvements via their tax bills.  These programs include road paving, sewer, streetlighting, canal dredging, and reclaimed water.  If you would like more information on any of these programs, please contact Sherri Robinson at (941) 708-7450 Ext. 7334 or sherri.robinson@mymanatee.org

Neighborhood Link allows you to create a free neighborhood website for those of you considering putting your information out on the web.  

Be sure to specify Florida Number 1 or better quality plants and that prices are to remain firm for 90 days.

For plant guarantees, you may want to request the vendors provide a written maintenance program for you and/or your landscape representative to carry out.  Periodic conferences can be held to ensure that the maintenance program is followed.

New Phase III (Critical Water Shortage) Watering Restrictions From Southwest Florida

Water Management District And Applicable to all of Manatee County

New restrictions started Tuesday, February 24, 2009 until rescinded or otherwise modified by SWFWMD. Lawn Irrigation Properties 2 acres and under water from 12:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. OR after 6:00 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. Properties 2 acres and over water from 12:01 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. OR after 4:00 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. Eliminate non essential lawn and landscape uses, including postponement of Turf-grass renovation involving plant material not scheduled prior to the effective date of this order. The once a week irrigation of lawns remains in effect. Day of irrigation is determined by the last digit in house number as shown below: House number ends in:

“0” or “1” – irrigation done on Monday

“2” or “3” – irrigation done on Tuesday

“4” or “5” – irrigation done on Wednesday

“6” or “7” – irrigation done on Thursday

“8” or “9”* – irrigation done on Friday

Take a look at Manatee County Code Enforcement's page.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has noticed an increase in the use of golf carts throughout Manatee County and is concerned about the safety of golf cart users.  Several County ordinances have been enacted over the years allowing golf carts to be used on certain roadways, as well as to designate certain golf cart crossings across roadways where golf cart communities are prominent. 

If you use a golf cart and see that the roadway or crossing is not marked for use by golf carts, then it is “off limits” to golf carts and you can be stopped by law enforcement.  In addition, golf carts are not allowed on bicycle paths, sidewalks, or sidewalk areas.  However, golf carts are allowed to operate, to some extent, in enclosed retirement communities on the roadways within those communities unless the County or city commission for that community designates their use too dangerous.  (Note: these laws do not pertain to sidewalks of a golf course that are in place for golf carts to use while people play golf)
 

If you live in a community where golf carts are being used in an illegal manner, we ask that you help us spread this safety message by obtaining a brochure from the Manatee County Sheriff's Department and post it in clubhouses, meeting halls, laundry rooms, or anywhere else people will see it.  As mentioned before, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is concerned for everyone’s safety and will be stopping golf carts that are driving illegally on sidewalks, as well as roadways and crossings that have not been designated for use by golf carts.  Also, children under the age of 14 years are not allowed to operate a golf cart on any roadway or across any roadway, with NO exceptions. 
 

Here is a breakdown of the statutes, charges, and fines associated with these violations:
 

• Florida State Statute (FSS) 316.1995 / Driving on a sidewalk or bicycle path / Moving infraction / $166.00 fine plus 3 points on driver’s license
• FSS 316.212(1,2, & 3) / Operating a golf cart on a roadway or across a roadway that is not designated for use by golf carts / Moving infraction / $166.00 fine plus 3 points on driver’s license
• FSS 316.212(7) / A person under 14 driving a golf cart upon or across a public roadway / Non-moving infraction / $113.00 fine
• FSS 316.212(5) / Operating a golf cart at night or without night equipment / Moving infraction / $166.00 plus 3 points on driver’s license
• FSS 316.212(6) / Operating a golf cart with defective equipment / Non-moving infraction / $113.00 fine

 
You can research and review the statutes listed above, as well as Florida State Statute 316.003(68), which designates a golf cart as a motor vehicle.
 

Again, this alert is being sent out to everyone to try and curb this growing problem before someone else gets hurt or killed by operating a golf cart in an illegal manner.  We, at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, feel the need to educate the community of these laws so our citizens are well informed and can avoid these potential unsafe acts merely by following the laws

Natural Resources Department
415 10th Street West,
Bradenton, Florida 34205

Wes Ripperger
Environmental Specialist
(941) 742-5980, xt 1878
Fax: (941) 741-3227

Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) must not be placed curbside. For your convenience, Manatee County has established a HHW collection for residents to dispose of the following items on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Lena Road Landfill located at 3333 Lena Road. 

Acceptable HHW Materials:

• Solvents 
• Latex or Oil Based Paint 
• Garden Pesticides
• Waste
• Oil 
• Gasoline (in gasoline approved container) 
• Ammunition / Flares
• Propane Tanks 
• Florescent & Compact Florescent Lamps (bulbs) 
• Batteries (non-alkaline)
• Household Chemicals    
• Other household hazardous materials 

All landfill questions should be directed to (941) 798-6761.

Contact the Citizen’s Action Center at 941 742 5800.  This number goes to the County Administrator’s office.  Each call is logged and tracked through a tracking system.