ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14

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

This legislative matter concerns an ordinance amending Chapter 14 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, relating to fire prevention and life safety. The ordinance updates definitions, changes requirements for owner statements on fire investigations, amends procedures for appeals of fire code violations, updates operating permit requirements, and allows for the recording of consent agreements and notices of violation. It also requires building owners/occupants to notify the Chief Fire Official upon correction of certain violations, authorizes the Chief Fire Official to order utility disconnections for pending fire code violations under specific circumstances, 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, updates emergency action plan requirements, mandates testing and maintenance of exit/emergency lighting, requires reporting of fire protection system maintenance, addresses emergency power systems and water supplies for firefighting outside the urban development boundary, and modifies civil penalties. The ordinance was introduced on June 2, 2026, and had its second reading with a final action pending. A public hearing was held by the Safety and Health Committee on June 8, 2026, where a representative for fireworks companies expressed support and concerns about illegal practices. The ordinance was forwarded with a favorable recommendation. A deferral to September 1, 2026, was requested by Commissioner Gonzalez. The ordinance is a substitute to File Number 260390 and requires 4-6 weeks for processing.