Monroe County Code Compliance Director Cynthia McPherson updated the Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday with accomplishments regarding sewer connection compliance in the Florida Keys. Two years ago, more than 1,400 properties had not yet connected to the sewer system; today, only a few homes are not connected or have open permits.
Her department recently reached out to homeowners who had not connected or who have open permits to help them come into compliance. From April 2021 to November 2023, 482 open sewer cases were scheduled for Special Magistrate hearings compared to 490 regular cases, like work without permits, overgrown lots, etc.
“This has been a huge task for our department,” said McPherson. “Staff really stepped up to the plate to accomplish this effort.”
The Florida Keys moved to sewers years ago to protect nearshore waters from sewage runoff from septic systems.
McPherson also reiterated to the commissioners that her department is about compliance and not enforcement. “We want to work with homeowners to bring them into compliance,” she said.
“If you get into code compliance, it is not a life sentence. Education is a huge part of what we do every day.”
To learn more about Monroe County Code Compliance, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/codecompliance.
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