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1. When is the municipal election?

The next municipal election will be in 2020. It is the 3rd Tuesday of March.

2. When can I water my lawn my lawn?

When you can water your lawn varies with the water restrictions. Currently you can water three days per week:

• Even Number Houses - Thursday and Sunday, 12 am to 10 am or 4 pm to 11:59 pm.
• Odd Number Houses - Wednesday and Saturday, 12 am to 10 am or 4 pm to 11:59 pm.

3. What are the garbage collection days?

Collection days are as follows:

• Monday - Garbage Bulk and Vegetation
• Thursday - Garbage Recycle

On the last Sunday of every month, resident are permitted to place vegetation and bulk items out at noon on Sunday for Monday pickup.

4. Where do I get an absentee ballot form?

You can get an absentee ballot form from the Supervisor of Elections Office.  They can be contacted at 561-656-6200. You may also visit the Supervisor of Elections Office's website.

5. What are the splash pad hours of operation?

Currently splash pad hours are:

• 11 to 4 pm - Monday to Thursday
• 11 to 8 pm - Friday, Saturday and Sunday

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1. Who can I use to do work on my home?

Only companies who have obtained a business tax receipt from City Hall can do jobs in the City of Atlantis.

2. What is the cost of a building permit?

Building permits cost $60 for the first $1,000 dollars worth of work, and 2.25% for the remainder of the cost of the job up to $50,000. Contact City Hall at 561-965-1744 for information on fees for projects over $50,000.

3. When are building permits required?

Building permits are required for everything, even painting and pressure cleaning.

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1. Does the City offer notary services?

Notary public services are available at City Hall for a charge of $2 per notary signature. There is no charge for documents relating to building permits, such as the permit itself, Owner/Builder Affidavit, or Notice of Commencement.

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1. The officers I dealt with really went "above and beyond." How do I thank them?

Our department always takes pride in the good job that our officers do. We like to hear when you feel that officer(s) went above and beyond. Please email Chief Robert G. Mangold or mail feedback to our offices, located at:
260 Orange Tree Drive
Atlantis FL, 33462

2. I have a problem regarding the police department, and I would like to complain. How do I go about this?

The Atlantis Police Department takes great pride in the performance of our duties and the manner in which we serve our community. Prior to employment, our personnel are thoroughly evaluated for their judgment and interpersonal skills. Each employee's background is carefully scrutinized to ensure that there are no patterns of irresponsible, unethical, or dishonest behavior.

Formal Citizen/Officer Complaints must be placed in writing by a named complainant. There is a standardized complaint form which must be filled out and submitted to a supervisor within the department (Rank of Sergeant or above). Please notify Chief Robert G. Mangold directly by phone, email, or letter of any Informal complaints.

3. What should I do if I have knowledge about domestic abuse, abuse of the elderly, or child abuse?

Contact the police department immediately at 561-965-1700; you can remain anonymous and still alert the police. Domestic Violence and Child Abuse crimes generally increase in intensity, and all too often someone gets killed. Make the call: someone's life might be depending on it. 

Police Agencies and Social Service Agencies are mandated by state law to conduct parallel investigations into all reported child and elderly abuse claims.

4. Can I hire an officer for an event that I'm having?

On occasion, businesses or private individuals call the department and inquire about the process of hiring off-duty police personnel to provide security for a business, or traffic control for a large scale private event. All off-duty details must be approved by the Chief of Police or his designee. Additionally, officers need to sign up for the opportunity once it is approved and posted. So it is always a good idea to submit a request in a timely fashion. The hourly rate for an off duty officer is $35 and there is a three hour minimum.

5. Can I request extra patrol for my street or neighborhood?

If you feel there is a specific incident or on going problem that needs extra attention, (I.e. speeders at a certain time, or code violations) please call us and we'll be happy to assign an extra patrol to address you specific problem.

6. How can I contact the department?

If you have questions about the the department, please email the Atlantis Police Department, call 561-965-1700, or stop by the station located at:
260 Orange Tree Drive
Atlantis, FL 33462

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1. What is the "Move Over Law"?

Drivers are now required to "move over" or "slow down" when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle that is stopped on a highway in Florida. The "Move Over Act", passed during the 2002 session of the Florida Legislature, was signed by Governor Jeb Bush on May 1, 2002.

There are several important provisions concerning this new law. Effective July 1, 2002, on Interstate highways or other highways with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a roadway with their emergency lights activated, are required to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, as soon as it is safe to do so.

When approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a two-lane roadway with their emergency lights activated, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater; or travel at five miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.

2. What do I do if I am pulled over?

Wait for the Officer

If you are pulled over, remain calm. Try to find a well-lit area that is relatively free from moving traffic. If it is night time, turn on the interior dome light of your car and lower your driver's side window. Lower the volume of your stereo and place your hands on your steering wheel.

Present the Officer with Your Information

When the officer requests your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance, you should advise the officer where the items are and slowly reach for them. It is a good idea to produce these items as soon as possible. Consider using a paperclip to affix these items to your driver's license and placing them together in your wallet. This should increase the speed of retrieving these items and will speed up the amount of time that you have to sit on the side of the road.

Citations

Do not argue the violation with the officer on the side of the road. You are entitled to due process for this alleged violation and you can argue your side of the story to a magistrate. Remember, just because you receive a citation does not mean that you are, as far as the state is concerned, guilty. 

When prompted, sign the bottom of the citation, with the same style signature which appears at the bottom of your driver's license. You should receive the yellow copy of the citation with an instruction brochure listing your options.

3. What are my options if I receive a citation?

You have three options to take care of a moving citation:

1. Take the citation to court and contest the charge. If you do, the officer will have to make a case against you
2. Pay the fine and take the points against your license
3. Elect to attend a driver improvement school, and pay a reduced fine, plus a school registration fee.

4. What if I am not sure if the car pulling me over is really a police car?

Instances of people posing as police officers are not as common as you might think, but it is prudent to have a plan if you face a situation that you think may be dangerous to you. Follow the tips below if you're worried about the legitimacy of the car pulling you over:

• If you are close by, drive to the police station. If you are not, continue driving in a non-aggressive manner to a well populated area with a high volume of people out in the open.
• If you are unsure that the vehicle is a police car because it is unmarked, then wait until a marked police vehicle joins the unmarked vehicle.
• If you have a cell phone, consider calling the police department to verify that the officer is in fact legitimate.

5. Just how fast can I drive before the police will give me a ticket?

You can be pulled over for exceeding the posted speed limit for any speed over that limit. Tickets may be issued based on the discretion of the individual officer.

6. If an officer requests that I stay in my car or get out of my car, do I have to?

Yes. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that a police officer has the lawful authority to place you in a controlled position while you are in their custody on a traffic stop.

7. What should I do if I am in a traffic accident?

If you are in danger of being struck by oncoming traffic move the vehicles out of the path of danger. Assess the need for first aid to yourself and any other involved party. Call the police. A report is optional if there are no injuries, there is under $500 worth of combined property damage, and both vehicles can leave on their own after exchanging names and tag numbers.

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1. How do I sign up for the auto draft service?

Complete the authorization form and send it to our office at:
260 Orange Tree Drive
Atlantis FL 33462

Be sure to include a voided check with your form.

2. Do I have to bank at a certain place?

Your financial institution must be able to access the Federal Reserve Automated Clearing House (ACH). Most U.S. financial institutions have access to this network. Payment must be made in U.S. funds.

3. How will my bill be paid?

On the 5th of the month following the bill date, your account will be debited for the amount of the bill.

4. When are the utility bills mailed out?

Bills are mailed out on the 25th of every other month beginning in January of each year.

The City of Atlantis Utilities provides customers with the convenience of Autopay for their utility bills. By providing us your bank information, the city will automatically deduct your utilities payment from your bank account. You may sign up for this service at any time. The following should answer questions concerning this service.

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1. How do I know if I have a real emergency?

An emergency is when immediate police, fire, or medical assistance is necessary to protect life or property.

If an emergency situation arises, ask yourself one important question. Is there an immediate need for police, fire, or paramedics to protect or save life or property? If you can answer, "yes" to this question, then dial 911.

2. What should I tell the dispatcher/operator when I call?

1. Stay calm; give the location of the emergency, your name, phone number, and nature of the emergency.
2. Listen carefully to the questions and instructions the dispatcher is giving you.
3. Answer all questions as accurately as possible. Speak clearly and slowly.

3. Should I hang up or stay on the line?

Never hang up until you are told to do so. If you hang up and redial, you may not get the same dispatcher and have to start all over again. It may be frustrating for you, but we will need you to stay on the line until we advise you that it is all right to hang up.

Be patient if we seem to ask a lot of questions. There are certain things that we must know to provide you with the services you need.

4. If I accidentally call 911 should I hang up?

No, stay on the phone and let the Communications Officer know that it was a mistake.

Moving forward, remember to place your cell phone on "Lock or Key Lock" mode so that it does not dial 911.

5. Should I dial 911 if I have a non-emergency situation?

No, do not dial 911 for non-emergency situations. Call the Police department at 561-965-1700 during business hours for non-emergency situations such as noisy neighbors, barking dogs, delayed incidents, etc.

6. When I call 911, am I calling the agency that I need for my emergency?

If you need assistance other than the agency you’ve reached, your call will be transferred to the proper agency.

7. When I’m on my cell phone, will dialing 911 call my hometown emergency service agency?

No, when you call 911 from your cell phone you will be directed to the closest agency to the cell phone tower that you are using, and from there you may be transferred to the correct agency.