Why St. Pete is still under a state of emergency

While Hurricanes Helene and Milton battered St. Petersburg over five months ago, the city remains under a local state of emergency order.

Mayor Ken Welch’s declaration now extends through June 30. The order allows him to “waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the city pertaining to … performance of public work and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community.”

According to city documents, extending the order also enables Welch to continue suspending enforcement of “any rule, regulation, policy, procedure or other directive of any city department” if the mayor determines that it would prevent or hinder “necessary action in coping with the emergency.” However, at a March 6 council meeting, City Administrator Rob Gerdes said waiving storm-related permitting fees is the primary focus.

“We do anticipate now maintaining this very basic state of emergency until the permit fee waiver expires on June 30,” Gerdes said. “In addition, we did also decide to keep the language that provides us some basic flexibility on code enforcement – especially related to domestic equipment in a front yard.”

Residents with storm-damaged homes – nearly 16,000 through both storms – can park an RV or travel trailer in their front yard, which would typically violate city code. Domestic equipment includes boats, jet skis and anything designed for recreational activities.

Council Chair Copley Gerdes noted the storms damaged boat lifts, and those homeowners have no choice but to park watercraft in their yards. He asked if they were also exempt from code enforcement fines.

Administrator Gerdes said he was unsure but would clarify the nuance with departmental leaders. “I think we want to be reasonable,” he added. “It depends maybe how long it’s been there and if they have taken any actions.”

Councilmember Gina Driscoll advocated for a case-by-case evaluation. She said many people store boats in their front yards “as a practice, not as a fix.”

“I’d loved to see those addressed as well,” Driscoll said. “This is a great way to just check and see who really needs the help.”

City officials have discussed loosening domestic equipment restrictions since September 2023. Residents cannot park recreational vehicles in front of their homes and must utilize a six-foot fence or natural shield in other areas.

Councilmember Richie Floyd would like a compromise for people who lack backyards or alley access to stow a small watercraft. Fines start at $100 and gradually increase to $500 for each violation.

Gerdes told council members to contact administrators with individual constituent concerns. “We’ll take a specific look at it,” he said.

The city already has its hands full. A March 5 update stated that the storms caused an eight-week permitting delay, but officials are “actively working to reduce wait times.”

Liz Abernethy, planning and development director, said Monday that St. Petersburg has waived nearly $1.4 million in permitting fees to help support storm-impacted residents and businesses. The department has issued 7,500 emergency permits.

Officials have hired six additional plan reviewers and extended operations to Saturdays. Residents with storm repairs exceeding 49% of their home’s value will receive Substantial Damage Letters by April 1.

Welch has terminated several emergency actions that remain allowable under the declaration. Gerdes said council members are typically most interested in the administration’s ability to make purchases without their approval during a state of emergency.

“We did eliminate the provision for emergency procurement because we want to respect the city council’s appropriation powers,” he said. “You are the appropriate body to appropriate money. We didn’t feel like we needed that emergency authority anymore.”

Gerdes noted the administration must provide the council with a monthly, brief report on the local state of emergency.

For more storm recovery information, visit the website here.