RELATING TO BOATS AND WATERWAYS

Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee · 2026-07-14 · ordinance

Miami-Dade County is enacting new regulations for overnight anchoring of vessels in both incorporated and unincorporated areas. The ordinance, File Number 261278, creates Section 7-40.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, to restrict vessels from anchoring for more than 30 days in any 6-month period between sunset and sunrise, with specific exemptions. These exemptions include governmental vessels, construction or dredging vessels on active job sites, and commercial fishing vessels. The ordinance also amends Section 8CC-10 to update the schedule of civil penalties for violations, with penalties ranging from $500 for a first offense to $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense within five years. Enforcement can be carried out by county code inspectors, municipalities (unless they have adopted their own regulations and notified the county), and law enforcement officers. A courtesy warning notice procedure is established prior to penalties. The ordinance stems from increased concerns about navigation, public safety, and environmental impacts from prolonged anchoring in Biscayne Bay and other county waters. The Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee forwarded this item to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) with a favorable recommendation on 7/14/2026. The BCC agenda date is 10/20/2026.