Sanitary Nuisances

The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County’s (DOH-Alachua) Environmental Health Section investigates alleged nuisance complaints and initiates enforcement action against those entities responsible. Typical nuisances addressed by the DOH-Alachua include, but are not limited to:

• Failing septic systems
• Sewage leaks
• The keeping of diseased animals which pose a threat to human health
• The creation or maintenance of any condition capable of breeding flies and mosquitoes.

When a nuisance is found to exist, a sanitary nuisance notice is issued giving a reasonable time for correction, based on the severity of the condition, and if correction is not completed, legal action is taken. Failure to comply is considered a second degree misdemeanor.