ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-07-21 · ordinance

This ordinance amends Chapter 14 of the Miami-Dade County Code relating to fire prevention and life safety. Key changes include updating definitions, modifying requirements for owner's statements on fire investigations, amending appeal procedures for fire code violations, updating operating permit requirements, and authorizing the Chief Fire Official to order utility disconnections for buildings with pending fire code violations under specific circumstances. It also revises requirements for emergency action plans, testing of exit and emergency lighting, reporting of maintenance for fire protection systems, installation of emergency power systems, and water supplies for firefighting outside the urban development boundary. The ordinance also makes technical amendments to the Florida Fire Prevention Code, updates the false fire alarm ordinance, provides for the sale of exempt fireworks, designates and posts structures sharing a street address, and modifies civil penalties. The ordinance was introduced on 6/2/2026 and had an agenda date of 7/21/2026, with a deferral requested to September 1, 2026. Public comment included support for the legislation from fireworks vendors concerned about illegal 'packing the cakes' and a desire for stronger enforcement of fireworks sales regulations.