All Escambia County Departments

• Escambia County is closing all drop-off recycling sites effective Monday, July 13 until further notice. With the loss of labor crews from Escambia County Corrections, the county will not have manpower to manage illegal dumping at the sites. There have been multiple complaints about illegal dumping from neighbors and businesses around each site. Do not leave any materials at the drop-off recycling sites. Residents can contact their waste collection company and request recycling service. For more information please call 850-937-2160, or visit our website.
• County administrative offices are closed on Thursday, Dec. 24, Friday, Dec. 25, Thursday, Dec. 31 and Friday, Jan. 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year's holidays. If you are a journalist, you may call the on-call Public Information Officer at 850-595-1647 or email cmr@myescambia.com.

Animal Control

• All interactions with the Animal Shelter will be by appointment only. The staff will determine each day how many appointments will be available and what time they will begin. 

• Lost Pet
  If you have a missing pet. Please check Petharbor.com under the Escambia County Animal Services. If we have or you think we have your pet please email us at animalshelter@myescambia.com and someone will reach out to you. We will prioritize our appointment schedule to make sure that lost pets are returned to their owners as quickly as possible. 

• Adoption
  If you are interested in adopting a pet that is currently on Petharbor.com under the available/adoptable pets please reach out to us at animalshelter@myescambia.com and we will respond as opportunities for adoptions become available. Please be mindful that due to this temporary change in operations appointments could be severely limited or not available at all some days. Adoptions are very important to all of our staff and we will work diligently to provide as many opportunities as possible each day and we hope to return to normal operations as soon as possible.

• Owner surrenders and strays
  We are currently not accepting owner surrenders at this time and any stray that enters the facility will only be by Animal Control Officers. They can be reached at animalcontrol@myescambia.com, or 595-0097, option 2, to speak to the dispatcher.

• Submit an online Animal Control complaint here.

Bars, nightclubs and restaurants

• Executive Order 20-246. Restaurants and other establishments, and bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, may operate at full capacity as Florida has moved to Phase 3 of its re-opening plan.

Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

• Please visit the Escambia County Clerk and Comptroller website for the latest COVID-19 opening information.     
• To make payments and access other online services, please visit the e-services page here. For further information visit escambiaclerk.com.

City of Pensacola

Please check the city's website for the latest information.

Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT)

• Beginning Monday, April 6, ECAT temporarily suspended fare collection for passengers of ECAT bus services. In addition, bus passengers will be instructed to enter and exit through the rear doors only and sit behind the accessibility-reserved seating area. Front-door access will be permitted only for passengers needing the boarding ramp or operator assistance to access the bus. ADA accessible seating space near the front of the bus is reserved for individuals in mobility devices, individuals in need of special assistance and families with children in strollers. The changes will provide some separation between the operator and the passengers—and between passengers. The changes are being implemented in addition to precautions already implemented by ECAT, including the rigorous and increased sanitizing efforts of every bus on a daily basis.
• Bus routes will move to a modified schedule starting on Monday, March 23, 2020 and limit capacity to 10 passengers. (please see news release for detailed information)
• Beginning June 1, passengers will be encouraged to wear face masks.
• (June 19, 2020) Due to COVID-19 contact tracing there are many ECAT employees on quarantine; therefore, ECAT services have experienced delays on multiple routes throughout the day.  

• Starting July 15, 2020,  Routes 59 X, Routes 61 and the UWF Regular Trolley Service will be running regular schedules. The following routes are temporarily suspended until further notice:
  Route 41, East Pensacola Heights
  Route 59A, NAS Pensacola, airport
  Routes 1, 2, 31, 32, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 55, 58, 59X, 60, 61, and 63 will continue modified schedule service Monday through Saturday. Route 64 will run Friday and Saturday. UWF Express Trolley will continue service Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Escambia County Community Transportation (ECCT)

• Escambia County Community Transportation will temporarily suspend all paratransit services after 7 p.m. for weekday and Saturday services.  All medical necessary trips will be honored. Sunday service is temporarily suspended. All expired eligibility will be extended for 90 days. In-person eligibility interviews will be rescheduled or completed over the phone. Please call ECCT Customer Service at 850- 595-0501 if you need assistance.
• ECCT Paratransit subscription trips will continue to be pre-screened for COVID-19 and may be modified.
• For everyone’s safety, schedulers are booking passenger trips throughout the day on vehicles to accommodate social distancing. Vehicles are disinfected and cleaned frequently.
• For the safety of our riders and drivers, we are asking riders to help by wearing a protective cloth face covering, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when you find it necessary to use ECCT Paratransit. Drivers have been instructed to wear Personal Protective Equipment..
• ECCT drivers will not be entering businesses, medical clinics and other facilities to pick up paratransit riders. Please be ready outside or at the door when the vehicle arrives.
• Please always cover your coughs and sneezes, keep your hands washed and make sure your mobility aid is sanitized and free of excess baggage.
• Starting Monday, June 22 until further notice, ECAT and ADA Transportation will run peak service only, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. then 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. This modified service will take place Monday through Saturday, without service on Sundays. Buses will run every two hours with the final route trips departing ECAT and downtown at 6 p.m. ECAT will temporarily suspend routes 41, 59A and 59X. Beach Trolleys will run regular hours 4 p.m. to midnight, with limited service running two trolleys instead of three. Schedules are subject to change as more drivers return to work. Additional details here. 

NOTICE:  These procedures may be revised due to the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Posted 4/21/20

Escambia County Fire Rescue, Office of Fire Prevention

ECFR closed facilities to public in-person access to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 effective Monday, March 23. Alternative ways to conduct business with the Office of Fire Prevention are notated as follows:

• All walk-in permitting has been suspended effective Monday, March 23, until further notice. Business will still be conducted with the aide of online customer accounts through mygovernmentonline.org. For all permit-related questions, please contact the Office of Fire Prevention at 850-595-1810.

• Applications and plan review: Three sets of stamped sealed/shop drawings paper copies and cut-sheets/calculation documents are required to be submitted. Make an appointment to drop off plans at the Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place. Please attach an application and completed checklist for permit type associated, and ensure that contact information is clearly displayed.  At the scheduled appointment, staff will meet you to receive the plans. To schedule and appointment for plans drop off please call 850- 595-1810 or email fireinspections@myescambia.com.

• Upon receipt of plan submission, and invoice will be emailed for payment.  All permits are to be paid by credit card through the customer portal or by phone.

• Customer picking up paper plans must schedule and appointment by calling 850-595-1810 or emailing fireinspections@myescambia.com, and staff will meet with you to provide the approved copy.

• Inspection requests for permits will need to be scheduled either online through the customer portal, telephone using the IVR system by dialing 1-866-957-3764 and choosing option 5, or email to fireinspections@myescambia.com.

• Recurring inspection will be handled on a case by case bases. For assistance, please contact 850-595-1810 or email fireinspections@myescambia.com.
  
  
• As of June 19, 2020, Escambia County Fire Rescue is extending the hold on scheduled smoke detector installations due to COVID-19 unless crews are already on a call and notice there are not working smoke detectors.

Escambia County Property Appraiser's Office

• For the safety of its employees and the public, the Escambia County Property Appraiser's Office encourages the use of a face mask when visiting the office.
• Customers may be assisted via email, pidept@escpa.org, telephone, 850-434-2735 or website – escpa.org.
• All BCC employees entering the building will undergo a security temperature check prior to entering.

Escambia County Tax Collector

All Tax Collector offices are open.

Protocols for COVID-19 still are in place and all customers are required to wear masks.

To ensure a successful visit and transaction, citizens are encouraged to visit our “What Do I Bring” page at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. After confirming all document requirements have been met, Escambia County residents may “Join the Line” for service.

After joining the line, customers will receive an estimated wait time by text. Wait times may be longer than normal. Customers should remain in their vehicles until called for service. When called, their transactions will be pre-screened prior to entering. Customers will have their temperature checked with a non-contact thermometer and be screened prior to entering the lobby.

Driver licenses and identification cards that expired from March 16 to May 30 have been automatically extended; we ask customers to take advantage of the additional time to allow our offices to assist customers who must be served immediately.

Vision requirements have not been waived for driver license transactions, so a vision test will be given. If customers are uncomfortable with the vision machine, they can request a vision form be sent via email that can be taken to an eye care professional and completed before the customer visits our office.

Driving exams are being handled on a walk-in basis only. The queue for driving exams opens at 7:30 a.m. Visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com/skills.

The following transactions are available at our Online Payment Center only and will NOT be processed in the lobbies:

• Registration (Tag) Renewal
  License plate or tag renewals MUST be renewed online using our convenient RenewExpress system. You can choose same-day pick up available at one of our three convenient drive thru locations or choose to have the registration mailed to you after next-day processing.

• Business Tax Receipt
  Our Payment Center allows you to create an original or to renew or edit a current record. It is a great way to locate a business in our county. Searching by keywords such as plumbing will create a list of plumbing businesses.

• Property Tax
  Pay property tax, review full payment history, research and print prior years receipts and search ownership by name or address.

• Hunting and Fishing License
  Purchase or renew your hunting and fishing license.

Full payment of fees is required at time of service, and payment may be made by eCheck, debit, or credit cards. Payments made by eCheck are fee-free. Credit and debit transactions are subject to convenience fees charged by the payment vendor(s).

For more information on tax collector services, visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com.

First Judicial Circuit

During the unprecedented circumstances presented by the pandemic, the judges of the First Judicial Circuit have handled hundreds of cases through electronic means, and will continue to do so in many cases. Most face-to-face hearings remain limited at this time. For those cases which must be handled face-to-face, extraordinary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the public, court staff, and other agency partners within our facilities. Processes will continue to evolve as circumstances warrant.

To help ensure that no person infected with COVID-19 enters the court facilities, temperature scanning devices have been installed at the M.C. Blanchard Building and the Theodore Bruno Building. Effective Monday, June 1, any person attempting to enter either of these facilities will undergo a non-invasive temperature scan by walking through a defined area. The installed devices will automatically record the temperature of each individual. Any individual who registers a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be denied access to the building. Individuals attempting to enter the courthouse should also expect to be asked a series of questions regarding potential symptoms or prior exposure to COVID-19. Refusal of the temperature screening or refusal to answer screening questions will result in denial of access to the building. At this time, courthouse access remains limited to those persons who are required for court proceedings, or those individuals with other official business within the courthouse facilities. Those entering the facilities will be required to wear a mask at all times while entering and while within the building.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, Gulf Islands National Seashore is increasing recreational access at the Florida areas. The National Park Service is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning on Saturday, May 16, Gulf Islands National Seashore will initiate Phase Two access at:  

• The Fort Pickens Area
  • Regular operating hours
  • Restrooms will be limited to Langdon Beach and the restrooms outside of the Discovery Center
  • Lifeguards will be on duty at Langdon Beach
• The Perdido Key Area
  • Regular operating hours resume
  • Lifeguards will be on duty at Johnson Beach
• Santa Rosa Area, including Highway 399
  • Opal Beach restrooms at clusters C & D will be open
  • Lifeguards will be on duty at Opal Beach
• The Okaloosa Area
  • Restrooms will be open
• The Naval Live Oaks Area
  • No restrooms
• Pensacola Bay Cruises
  • Modified operations, please visit www.cruisepb.com for details

Beginning on Saturday, May 23, additional services will resume including:

• Free tram service at the Fort Pickens Area
• Pensacola Bay Cruises will drop-off and pick-up passengers at the Fort Pickens Area

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• The Fort Barrancas Area
• The Fort Pickens Campground, Discovery Center, and bookstore
• The headquarters indoor exhibits at the Naval Live Oaks Area
• Parking lots 33A & 36A along Highway 399 (closed for the season)
• Parking lots 34A & 34E at the Opal Beach Complex

“Park staff, in coordination with public health officials continue to monitor health data from local and regional areas to determine when gating criteria is met,” said Superintendent Dan Brown. “As the areas evaluated continue to move through the required criteria the park is working hard to increase recreational access in a safe and responsible way.”

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Gulf Islands National Seashore, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services will be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.  

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/guis and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus

Parks

• Outdoor athletic leagues have resumed in Escambia County.  We encourage participants along with attendees to social distance when and if possible.
• Neighborhood Parks, park restrooms where available and Boat Ramps are open to the public with social distancing encouraged when using the parks, facilities,  and open spaces.
• Park pavilion, community center and field rentals are being handled by the Parks and Recreation Department. For those interested, please contact the Parks and Recreation front desk at , (850)-475-5220
• The Parks and Recreation and Road Department offices located at 1651 E. Nine Mile Road are open during regular business hours. Social Distancing measures are set up for visitors at this location. 

Pensacola Beach

• Pensacola Beach Annual Pass sales desk re-opened within the Santa Rosa Island Authority building on Monday, June 22 at 8:30 a.m.
• The Pensacola Beach Visitor Information Center opened to the public on Monday, June 22.  With the safety of staff and guests in mind, plexiglass guards have been installed at all front desks and increased cleaning protocols have been put in place. When visiting the information centers, guests should follow CDC guidelines and follow safe social distancing practices. Visitors are required to sanitize hands before entering the building with provided hand sanitizer outside of the entrance. If guests do not feel well, please refrain from entering.
  • Monday - Friday: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
    Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Escambia County Commission Votes to Amend Beach Executive Order
• The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners voted Thursday, May 21, to amend Executive Order 20-6, creating Executive Order 20-8 regarding Escambia County public beaches.
• Effective Thursday, May 21 a noon, Escambia County public beaches are now fully open to the public. Camping on the beach is not allowed per county ordinance 74-36 and consistent with the “Leave No Trace” protections for nesting sea turtles. Other Escambia County parks, including public access points on Perdido Key remain closed from sunset to sunrise.
• The new all-electronic tolling system on Bob Sikes Bridge to Pensacola Beach went live on March 20, 2020, which was earlier than anticipated to adhere to social distancing for toll booth workers. The toll will remain $1, and cash and coins will no longer be accepted at this location.
• The Pensacola Gulfside pier is open daily from 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.
  • Fishing is allowed from 5 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days per week at the regular admission rate.
  • Walking passes are available from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. for admission of sunset walkers at the regular all-day pass (coming and going) admission rate.
  • Wrist bands will identify the type of pass, either fishing or walking.
  • Social distancing guidelines will remain in full effect at all times.
  • Maximum number of persons in any group is 10.
  • Pier staff has demarcated the length of the Pier identifying all permissible spaces, measured to meet the minimum six foot social distancing guidelines recommended by the CDC. Markings are there to control spacing in between every fishing group and to limit the total number of spaces available for fishing. This will help keep those who are fishing form clustering in any one location. Management has hired additional staff to walk the pier and maintain social distancing throughout the day. Hand washing basins with soap are available for regular use.

Pensacola International Airport

• At this time, the airport is open and fully operational. Airport staff will continue to work to provide a safe and easy travel experience for passengers and will update as directives come from the Florida Department of Health.
• Travelers who are not feeling well are encouraged to please stay home and reschedule travel plans.
• All airlines are requiring passengers to wear face coverings to board the aircraft. For more information or if you have questions, please reach out to your airline.
• The airport has increased the frequency at which public touch points are cleaned, such as elevator buttons, escalator handrails, chair armrests, counter tops and other high-traffic public areas. Hand sanitizer stations are also located throughout the terminal for the public's use. 
• Pup Patrol activity in the terminal will cease until further notice
• Airport USO center is closed until further notice.
• Check the airport website or an airline's website to see current offered flights. Flight schedules can change throughout the day.

Pensacola and Perdido Key Visitor Centers

The Visit Pensacola visitor information centers opened on Monday, June 22 to the public.  With the safety of staff and guests in mind, plexiglass guards have been installed at all front desks, and increased cleaning protocols have been put in place. Masks will be available for use. When visiting the information centers, guests should follow CDC guidelines and follow safe social distancing practices. If guests do not feel well, please refrain from entering.

The visitor information centers will operate at the following hours:

Pensacola Visitor Information Center
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Perdido Key Visitor Information Center
Sunday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For more information on the visitor information centers and destination information, visit www.visitpensacola.com.

Santa Rosa Island Authority

• Pensacola Beach Annual Pass sales desk opened within the Santa Rosa Island Authority building on Monday, June 22 at 8:30 a.m.
  • Please visit our website at www.sria-fla.com and www.visitpensacolabeach.com or give us a call at 850-932-2257.

School District and Colleges

Escambia County School District 

• The first day of the 2020-21 school year was Aug. 28, 2020.

• Students have three options for their return: traditional, remote learning and virtual school.

• For information about Escambia County’s public schools go to:https://ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/, Like ECSD onFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/ecsdfl or https://www.facebook.com/ecsd.public. 

• University leadership has developed a plan to return to campus while keeping the safety, security and wellbeing of the University community at the forefront of every decision. This plan includes a phased return for employees that will begin in June and a student return for the fall semester.

• The Florida Board of Governors provided a blueprint for all State University System institutions to utilize in developing their reopening university campuses framework that will be presented to the Board of Governors on June 23. 

• President Saunders established and assigned subcommittees to focus on specific areas to form the Fall 2020 return to campus framework. These subcommittees are focused on specific key areas, aligned with the Board of Governors’ Blueprint.

• To view a list of the Return to Campus Task Force and subcommittees, please visit uwf.edu/taskforce.  

Pensacola State College 

• Pensacola State College re-opened for on-campus learning with a robust plan, which included in-person learning, hybrid classes and asynchronous on-line classes.

Supervisor of Elections

• Residents can access most services at EscambiaVotes.com, by phone at 850-595-3900, by e-mail soe@escambiavotes.com, or by mail.
• Voter registration and record updates are available through RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov.
• Voter services will be available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and document drop-off is accessible at the Palafox Street entrance to the downtown Tax Collector’s office, 213 Palafox Place.
• Advance appointments are preferred, if in-person services are required.
  • Access to the elections office will be through the main county office building.
  • Six foot “social distancing” is required, and the number of customers allowed in the office at a time will be limited.

West Florida Public Libraries

• Libraries will open for limited general public access and online order pickups as follows:

  • Pensacola Library - 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
    Inside Library Services and Reserved Parking for Materials Pickup: Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.mywfpl.com to place reservations online or call 850-436-5060.

  • Molino Branch Library - 6450-A Hwy. 95A, Molino
    Inside Library Services and Reserved Parking for Materials Pickup: Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.www.mywfpl.com to place reservations online or call 850-435-1760.

  • Southwest Branch Library - 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy., Pensacola
    Inside Library Services and Reserved Parking for Materials Pickup: Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.mywfpl.com to place reservations online or call 850-453-7780. 

  • Tryon Branch Library - 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
    Inside Library Services and Reserved Parking for Materials Pickup: Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.mywfpl.com to place reservations online or call 850-471-6980.

  • Century Branch Library - 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century)
    Reserved Parking for Materials Pickup: Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.mywfpl.com to place reservations online or call 850-256-6217

  • Genealogy Branch Library - 5740 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
    Inside Library Services and Reserved Parking for Materials Pickup: Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.mywfpl.com to place reservations online or call 850-494-7373

  • Westside Branch Library - 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
    Reserved Parking for Materials Pickup: Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. www.mywfpl.com to place reservations online or call 850-595-1047

  • Online order pickup - Requests for library materials placed prior to arrival will be retrieved and ready for pickup at your vehicle. Designated online order pickup spaces will be marked. Drive-thru services are closed. 

    Increased eBook, eAudiobook and eMagazine titles will increase in availability and variety available for electronic access.

  Browsing:
  Out of the abundance of caution, browsing the shelves is not permitted at this time.
  Did you know that we have a Virtual Shelf?
  • Go to MyWFPL.com
  • Top right in "Catalog" type in a title or author (example: Stephen King)
  • Click on any title
  • Click "Browse Virtual Shelf" that appears below the item’s title and author’s name, just to the right of the "Place Hold and Add To List buttons." 

   

  The Virtual Shelf is a great resource if your desired title has a lot of Holds. For non-fiction titles the Virtual Shelf works especially well because the PAC will show titles with the same or similar Dewey number.

  Meeting Room Reservations
  If you have a meeting room request, please call the applicable library branch to see if there is any availability at that branch. Library branch phone numbers can be found at https://mywfpl.com/visit/locations. Branches with availability - space is very limited.

  Public computer and study room access:
  • A limited number of computers will be available to insure social distancing.
  • Computer access for general use will remain at one hour per day.
  • Computer access will have no time limits applied if the person is actively completing unemployment, small business loans, or similar economic benefits applications.
  • Limited study space will be available with a one hour per day limit on use, depending on the branch. Library branch phone numbers can be found at https://mywfpl.com/visit/locations.