RELATING TO BOATS AND WATERWAYS

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-06-02 · ordinance

Miami-Dade County File Number 260878, an ordinance relating to boats and waterways, proposed the creation of Section 7-40.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County to adopt overnight anchoring regulations. These regulations would prohibit vessels from anchoring for more than 30 days in any 6-month period between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, with specific exemptions for governmental entities, construction/dredging vessels on active job sites, and commercial fishing vessels. Enforcement would be by civil penalty, with fines ranging from $500 for a first offense to $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense within five years. The ordinance also amended Section 8CC-10 to update the schedule of civil penalties. The matter was introduced on 5/14/2026, adopted on first reading by the Board of County Commissioners on 6/2/2026, and subsequently withdrawn by the Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee on 7/14/2026. The stated reason for withdrawal was to see a substitute item (Legislative File No. 261278). The legislative text notes that the proliferation of vessels anchored for extended periods in Biscayne Bay impedes other boaters, creates navigational hazards, and causes environmental impacts. The ordinance aimed to address these issues by exercising authority granted by Florida Statutes Section 327.60(2)(f)3. and allowing for municipal adoption of stricter regulations.