Brazilian Pepper Eradication Program
Information for Homeowners
The City’s Brazilian Pepper Eradication Program was adopted by City Council in 1996. The goal of this ambitious program is to rid the entire island of this invasive exotic plant. Brazilian pepper was introduced from its native range in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub that grows upwards of 40’ tall and due to its invasive nature in Florida, it is responsible for destroying thousands of acres of wildlife habitat on Sanibel.
Due to the high cost of such a comprehensive program, the City must remove the pepper using a phased approach. The program is designed to systematically eradicate pepper by dividing the island up into six different geographic implementation zones. This allows for better management and complete eradication of pepper in each zone before moving forward to avoid being overwhelmed with correspondence and inspections. The phased approach also allows us to offer incentives such as special free curbside pickups that are scheduled with the City’s horticultural waste hauler and a 20% reimbursement program available to property owners while in the “voluntary phase.”
The first phase of the program is the “voluntary phase.” This phase lasts approximately one year from the date that a zone is adopted by City Council. While in the voluntary phase, the City offers incentives to property owners to help reduce the cost of removing pepper. The incentives include two free curbside pickup days, where staff arranges for the City’s horticultural waste contractor to pickup unbundled pepper debris that is left curbside, reducing labor, hauling costs, and dump fees. In addition, the City also offers a 20% reimbursement to property owners that remove their pepper while in the voluntary phase. This incentive is not available to those property owners that already have an existing obligation to the City to remove their pepper (i.e. issuance of a Development Permit after May 15, 1990).
The second phase of the program is the “mandatory phase." Approximately one year from the date of adoption by City Council, the zone that is in the voluntary phase will be taken back to council for review and moved into the mandatory phase. At that time, all City incentives such as the 20% reimbursement and the free curbside pickups will no longer be available. The zone will be surveyed by staff and Notices of Violation will be issued to all of those properties that still have pepper. Property owners will then have 90 days from the date of the Notice of Violation to remove their pepper. If after 90 days the pepper has still not been removed, a public hearing will be scheduled. If pepper is still not removed, the property owner is subject to fines up to $250.00 per day that the property is in violation.
Implementation Zones
View Map (pdf 152.44 kB)
Zone 1 is located at the east end of the island from Lighthouse Beach Park west to Lindgrin and Causeway Road from the bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
Zone 2 is located from Lindgrin and Causeway Road west to Dixie Beach and Casa Ybel Road from the bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
Zone 3 is located at the west end of the island from Blind Pass to Seaspray Lane from the bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
Zone 4 is located adjacent to Zone 2 from Dixie Beach and Casa Ybel Road west to Tarpon Bay Road from the bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
Zone 5 is located from Tarpon Bay Road west to Rabbit Road from the bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
Zone 6 is located from Rabbit Road west to Seaspray Lane from the bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions:
“Is a Vegetation Permit required to remove pepper?”
If you are removing pepper or other exotics from a developed property using “hand removal” techniques, a Vegetation Permit is not required. A Vegetation Permit is required if you are removing pepper from an undeveloped property; however for “hand removal” this permit is free. If mechanical equipment is proposed to be used for removal of exotics, a Development Permit is required and a fee is assessed. Permits can be obtained from the City’s Planning Department. Permits are not intended to hinder your ability to remove pepper; rather they are required to ensure that there are no unintentional impacts to wildlife such as gopher tortoises or other sensitive areas like wetlands.
“How long do I have to get the pepper off of my property?”
The program is designed to give property owners sufficient time to complete removal and take advantage of incentives offered by the city. Typically the voluntary phase lasts one year from the date that the zone is adopted by City Council. Once the voluntary phase is over and the zone is declared mandatory, property owners will be issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) and will have 90 days from the date the NOV is issued to remove their pepper. If after 90 days the pepper is not removed, a Notice of Hearing will be issued and a public hearing will be held. The hearing examiner may impose fines up to $250.00 per day that the violation exists (i.e. pepper is not removed).
“How do I receive the 20% reimbursement from the City?”
To receive the 20% reimbursement, pepper must be completely removed from your property while in the voluntary phase. You must submit a copy of the paid invoice and a signed and notarized copy of the Brazilian Pepper Removal Agreement Form (pdf 16.65 kB) to the Natural Resources Department. Once we receive your paperwork, we will do an inspection to ensure that the pepper was properly removed and treated with the appropriate herbicide. Following a satisfactory inspection, the City will mail a check to you (this may take several weeks).
