RELATING TO BOATS AND WATERWAYS

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

The document is a legislative item for an ordinance relating to boats and waterways in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It was introduced on 7/9/2026, and was forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation following a public hearing on 7/14/2026. The ordinance would create Section 7-40.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, adopting overnight anchoring regulations that make it unlawful for any vessel to be anchored for a period of 1 hour or more between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise for more than 30 days in any 6-month period, with exemptions for government vessels, construction or dredging vessels on active job sites, and commercial fishing vessels. It also amends Section 8CC-10 to update the schedule of civil penalties, with penalties of $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for a second offense within five years, and $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense within five years. The item is scheduled for the Board of County Commissioners meeting on 10/20/2026. Public comment included opposition from several individuals who live aboard vessels, who stated the ordinance would amount to a ban and could render them homeless, and support from mayors of North Bay Village, Bal Harbour, and a Miami Beach commissioner, who cited issues with derelict vessels and the need for countywide regulation. Commissioner Regalado remained unsupportive and requested her district, including Coconut Grove, be exempted. Commissioner Lopez agreed to work with the administration to gather more information before the Board meeting.