CITY OF OCALA ADDRESSES CONCERNS ABOUT FIBER AND BROADBAND WORK IN RIGHTS-OF-WAY
OCALA, Fla. (June 25, 2025) – The City of Ocala is aware of recent concerns from residents regarding fiber and broadband construction work occurring in neighborhoods throughout the city. In many cases, property owners are seeing stake flags, disturbed landscaping or other signs of construction and mistakenly believe the City is responsible.
To clarify, private fiber and broadband providers are currently installing infrastructure in city-maintained public rights-of-way. This activity is permitted by state and federal law, and the City of Ocala does not control when or where certified providers conduct this work.
Florida Statute 202.24 prohibits local governments from regulating or prohibiting the installation of communications infrastructure in rights-of-way, as long as the provider is certified with the State of Florida. Because communications infrastructure is classified as an essential utility, providers are entitled to access these public resources.
Although local government cannot deny access, the City of Ocala does manage the permitting process for any construction within city-maintained rights-of-way. Before a permit is issued, applicants must submit engineering and traffic control plans, as well as proof of state business registration. The City reviews these materials to ensure public safety and infrastructure compatibility.
If you suspect construction is occurring outside the public right-of-way, contact the City of Ocala’s Engineer’s Office at 352-629-2489 or email cityengineer@ocalafl.gov. Please include the address, a brief description of the concern, and your contact information so staff can investigate.
The City of Ocala remains committed to transparency and encourages residents to reach out with any questions or concerns. While the City does not control these fiber or broadband construction projects, we will continue to monitor the situation to ensure all permitted activity follows legal and safety guidelines.
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Media Contact: Gregory Davis, Public Information Officer
Phone: 352-804-1525, Email: gdavis@ocalafl.gov
