City of Sarasota and Sarasota County
Emergency Water Removal and Extraction Serving Sarasota, FL
One call, a local Sarasota restoration company, and a written estimate after the inspection.
What You Get
What One Call Gets You in Sarasota
One Call
One number covers the City of Sarasota, unincorporated Sarasota County, Longboat Key, and Lakewood Ranch.
A Local Restoration Company
An independent water damage restoration company that works in Sarasota inspects, prices, and does the work.
Sarasota Knowledge
Permit offices, City and County utilities, and 11 storm disaster declarations since 2005, each from a public record.
A Written Estimate
The company inspects and measures the damage first, then puts the scope and price in writing for you.
Drying Checked by Readings
Moisture readings continue until materials meet the drying goals set under IICRC S500 (2021).
Permitted Repairs
Repairs that need a permit go through your office: the City of Sarasota, Sarasota County, Longboat Key, or Manatee County.
Storm Record
Sarasota County Storm Declarations Since 2005
Sarasota County received 11 weather-related major disaster declarations from 2005 through October 28, 2026, 3 of them in 2024. Each step shows what that storm means for water in your home.
- Hurricane
DR-1609October 24, 2005
Hurricane Wilma
IICRC's 2026 statement says wind-driven rain is not automatically Category 3, so your restoration company judges it on site.
- Storm
DR-1785August 24, 2008
Tropical Storm Fay
This declaration listed no FEMA Individuals and Households Program for Sarasota County households.
- Storm
DR-4068July 3, 2012
Tropical Storm Debby (2012)
FEMA household aid opened for Sarasota County, and FEMA states that aid cannot replace insurance.
- Hurricane
DR-4280September 28, 2016
Hurricane Hermine
Florida dates a hurricane loss to landfall, and section 627.70132 sets 1 year from that date for notice.
- Hurricane
DR-4337September 10, 2017
Hurricane Irma
FEMA household aid opened for the county; keep your restoration company's photos and moisture logs for that application.
- Hurricane
DR-4673September 29, 2022
Hurricane Ian
Myakka River flooding closed part of I-75, and IICRC S500 treats rising river water as Category 3.
- Hurricane
DR-4680December 13, 2022
Hurricane Nicole
Storm repairs in unincorporated Sarasota County use the Storm Related project type in the County's Accela system.
- Hurricane
DR-4734August 31, 2023
Hurricane Idalia
Inflow caused a spill of about 1,000 gallons at the Siesta Key Master Lift Station; sewage is Category 3 water.
- Storm
DR-4806August 10, 2024
Hurricane Debby (2024)
Debby dropped 16.98 inches at a Sarasota gauge, and over 500 high-water rescues reached the Pinecraft and Philippi Creek neighborhoods.
- Hurricane
DR-4828September 28, 2024
Hurricane Helene
NHC recorded 5 to 7 feet of surge inundation from the Anclote River to Longboat Key, and FEMA says most homeowners policies exclude flood.
- Hurricane
DR-4834October 11, 2024
Hurricane Milton
Milton made landfall on Siesta Key on October 9, 2024, and Siesta Key water damage restoration lists the island's permit office.
Services
Water Removal Services Across Sarasota
Each of the 10 water removal services pages below names the Sarasota permit, utility, or flood fact that changes your job.
Local Know-How
Local Knowledge Behind Water Extraction Services in Sarasota
Emergency water removal in Sarasota, Florida turns on the permit office, the utility, the flood record, and your foundation. In the neighboring Tampa metro, 91.9% of detached homes sit on concrete slabs (AHS 2021), so water spreads across floors and into wall bottoms. Extraction opens the job, and water damage restoration carries it through drying and repairs.
City of Sarasota Utilities serves the City's corporate limits, while Sarasota County Public Utilities serves unincorporated areas. Repair permits follow those same city limits, not mailing ZIPs. Tell your restoration company whether your tax bill lists the City of Sarasota when you call.
Causes
Emergency Water Cleanup in Sarasota by Source
Your cleanup depends on the source, since IICRC S500 lists sewage and seawater flooding as Category 3 water. A burst washer hose belongs under appliance leak water damage, one of the 5 pages below.
Local Problems
Sarasota Water Problems and How Your Restoration Company Responds
Each of these 5 situations ties to a Sarasota record, with what your restoration company does about it.
| Situation | What Your Restoration Company Does |
|---|---|
| Storm surge reaches a ground floor; Milton brought 4 to 6 feet of surge inundation from Longboat Key to Venice (NHC). | Your restoration company treats seawater as Category 3, removes soaked porous materials, and dries the slab. See storm and flood water cleanup for the NFIP side. |
| A seasonal owner returns to a leak; 14.5% of City housing units sit vacant for seasonal use (ACS). | Your restoration company maps moisture behind walls and records how long materials stayed wet; see hidden leak water damage. |
| A toilet overflows upstairs and soaks the condo below; 40.7% of City units sit in buildings of 5 or more units. | Your restoration company keeps separate readings for each unit. See toilet overflow cleanup and ceiling water damage cleanup for both floors. |
| A water heater leaks in a 1970s home; that decade holds 21.9% of City housing, the largest share (ACS). | Your restoration company dries the floor and walls, and a Florida-licensed trade replaces the heater (DBPR). Water heater leak cleanup covers the permit question. |
| Floodwater reaches an outdoor AC unit in a flood zone in unincorporated Sarasota County. | County rules require that unit to be elevated when replaced. Your restoration company flags it for your HVAC contractor while it dries the interior. |
Call to talk with a local water damage restoration company about water removal in Sarasota.
Call (941) 307-1313Flood Risk
Sarasota Flood Risk in Numbers
These 4 measures come from NOAA, NHC, FEMA, and the City of Sarasota, each with what your restoration company does about it.
| Measure | What Your Restoration Company Does |
|---|---|
| August normal rainfall, the wettest month (NOAA 1991 to 2020)9.11 in | Your restoration company compares readings with dry material in the same home before it removes any drying equipment. |
| Hurricane Debby rain at a Sarasota gauge, August 2024 (NHC)16.98 in | Your restoration company checks wall bottoms with a moisture meter, since a thermal camera shows only temperature. |
| Weather-related major disaster declarations, 2005 to 2026 (OpenFEMA)11 | Your restoration company keeps dated photos and moisture logs for your insurer and any FEMA application. |
| NFIP premium reduction under the City's CRS Class 5Up to 25% | Your restoration company records outside floodwater apart from inside leaks, since NFIP and homeowners policies split them. |
Rain bars share a 20-inch scale; the declaration bar counts against the 22 years from 2005 to 2026. FEMA flood maps for the City and the County took effect March 27, 2024, so check your zone on the current map.
How It Works
Your Call, Step by Step
Water extraction in Sarasota starts with 3 steps, and the first one is your call.
Call and Describe the Water
You say where the water started, which rooms are wet, and whether your address is City or County land.
Speak With a Local Restoration Company
An independent restoration company that works in Sarasota hears the details and sets a time to inspect.
Get a Written Estimate After the Inspection
The company measures moisture, sets the water category, and puts the scope and price in writing.
Why This Call
Local Facts Behind This Call
These 6 Sarasota facts shape your first call, and each comes from a dated public record.
City Limits, Not ZIPs
The Sarasota mailing ZIPs 34233, 34235, 34238, 34240, and 34241 hold no City land (Census 2020), so Sarasota County permits your repairs there.
Who Clears a Sewer Blockage
City of Sarasota Utilities clears blockages in its own lines at any hour (941-263-6884, option 2). Sewage water extraction covers the Category 3 cleanup in your home.
Category Set at Your Property
An IICRC statement of February 10, 2026 says weather-related water is not automatically Category 3. Your restoration company sets the category on site.
The EPA Drying Window
EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. Water extraction and drying shows how readings confirm your materials are dry.
Waterproof Floors Still Trap Water
Shaw and Pergo flooring warranties exclude standing water and moisture under the floor. Wet carpet and floor drying covers the slab reading below your planks.
Homes From the 1970s and Earlier
The City's median home dates to 1976 (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your restoration company checks for older materials such as patching compounds and vinyl floor tiles before demolition.
Cost
Cost Factors for a Sarasota Water Clean Up
Water damage cleanup cost in Sarasota rests on 6 factors your restoration company measures at the inspection, before any price is set.
Water Category
IICRC S500 ties the scope to the category, and Category 2 or 3 water adds contamination controls before drying.
Wet Area and Spread
Your restoration company measures how far water moved; a water damage assessment maps it before walls open.
Materials Dried or Removed
EPA allows wallboard to dry in place only without swelling and with intact seams; wet insulation is replaced.
Equipment Sized to the Room
Dri-Eaz sizes dehumidifier capacity from the affected cubic footage and the class of water loss.
Readings Until Dry
Drying ends when readings match unaffected material in your home, with a dry standard for each material.
Older Home Materials
EPA lists patching compounds and vinyl floor tiles among asbestos materials, a check before removal in older homes.
Florida section 627.70132 bars a claim noticed more than 1 year after the date of loss, and a hurricane's date of loss is landfall. The water damage FAQ covers flood, leak, and claim questions, so ask your restoration company for dated photos and moisture logs.
Permits
Which Office Permits Your Repairs
Your repair permit comes from the office whose limits hold your property, not from your ZIP or mailing city. Pick your jurisdiction to see its rules.
Which office covers your address?
City of Sarasota
Your tax bill lists the City of Sarasota. ZIP 34236 is all City land, as downtown Sarasota and Lido Key water damage restoration notes.
City Building Division, 1575 2nd Street, (941) 263-6494
- Drywall
- Storm rules allow removal up to 4 feet from the floor; see water damaged drywall repair.
- Systems
- Structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire system repairs need a permit.
- Concealed Pipe
- Replacing a defective concealed pipe counts as new work that needs a permit.
- Small Repairs
- Repairs of $1,000 or less with no structural work need no permit (Ordinance 08-4778).
- 1Apply before work starts, or by the next working business day for an emergency repair.
- 2Request inspections at 941-263-6418, Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Unincorporated Sarasota County
Your tax bill lists no city or town, even with a Sarasota mailing address.
Sarasota County PDS One Stop, 870 Apex Road, 941-861-5000
- Drywall
- Check with the office; an October 22, 2024 County letter required a permit to replace drywall above 2 feet.
- Outdoor AC Units
- Flood-damaged units in a flood zone are elevated when replaced.
- Electrical and Plumbing
- Check with the office before work starts.
- 1Apply in Accela under the Storm Related project type for storm damage.
- 2Schedule each inspection through the IVR at 941-861-6441.
Town of Longboat Key
Your tax bill lists the Town, in either county; see Longboat Key water damage restoration.
Planning, Zoning and Building Department, 501 Bay Isles Road, 941-316-1966
- Permits and Inspections
- The Town handles building permits and inspections for the whole town.
- Flood Rules
- The Town applies FEMA regulations plus barrier-island code standards.
- Drywall, Electrical, Plumbing
- Check with the office.
- 1Ask the department how it books building inspections.
Manatee County (Lakewood Ranch)
Your tax bill comes from Manatee County with no city line; see Lakewood Ranch water damage restoration.
Manatee County Building Division, 9000 Town Center Parkway, 941-748-4501 x3800
- Permits and Inspections
- The division handles permits, floodplain management, and inspections for unincorporated Manatee County.
- Drywall, Electrical, Plumbing
- Check with the office.
- 1Ask the division at permitting@mymanatee.org how it books inspections.
Florida's DBPR requires a state license when a drywall contract includes plumbing, electrical, AC, or load-bearing work. Rules marked check with the office were not confirmed on that office's own pages as of October 28, 2026.
Callers
Sarasota Callers and What Brings Each One
These 6 caller groups match Sarasota housing and permit records, and each card names the fact that applies to you.
Condo Owners
Seasonal Residents
Renters and Landlords
Owners of Pre-1978 Homes
Businesses and Property Managers
Owners Rebuilding in a Flood Zone
Communities
Communities Around Sarasota
Each of the communities near Sarasota below lists its own permit office, utility, and flood zones. Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch reach into Manatee County, so your office there differs from the City's.
Answers for Sarasota Callers
Who Does the Water Removal After I Call?
An independent water damage restoration company that works in Sarasota does the extraction, drying, and repairs. It inspects your property, sets the water category, and gives you a written estimate. This site lists the permit offices, utilities, and storm records that shape that work.
Can I Get a Price Over the Phone?
No. Your restoration company prices water clean up in Sarasota only after it inspects, measures the wet area, and sets the water category. The written estimate lists the scope, the materials removed, and the drying equipment. Ask what the estimate includes for permitted repairs.
Can Wet Floors and Walls Wait Until Next Week?
No. EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. DOH-Sarasota says to discard soaked items not dried in that window. Ask your restoration company how it measures drying, and see mold remediation after water damage for growth over 10 square feet.
What Decides Whether a Policy Covers the Cleanup?
The water source and your policy terms decide it. FEMA states most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, and NFIP flood policies carry a 30-day waiting period with stated exceptions. Your restoration company documents the source, photos, and readings your adjuster examines.
How Do I Know Which Office Permits My Repairs?
Check your property tax bill: a City of Sarasota line points to the City Building Division at 941-263-6494. Unincorporated addresses go to Sarasota County PDS at 941-861-5000, while the Town of Longboat Key and Manatee County run their own offices. Your restoration company names that office in its scope.
How Do I Check a Contractor's License in Florida?
Search the name at MyFloridaLicense.com, the site the Florida Attorney General names for license and complaint checks. Unlicensed contracting during a declared state of emergency is a third-degree felony under Florida section 489.127. Ask the restoration company which licensed trades handle any plumbing or electrical repairs.
This page relies on 54 public documents, such as records from FEMA, US Census Bureau, and City of Sarasota. Find each one and its check date on the fact sources and check dates page.
Payne Park Water Removal
Talk to a Sarasota Restoration Company by Phone
Call to talk with a local water damage restoration company about water removal in Sarasota.