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. The ordinance would create Section 7-40.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, to adopt overnight anchoring regulations, provide exemptions, and provide for enforcement by civil penalty. It would also amend Section 8CC-10 of the Code to update the schedule of civil penalties. The file number is 260878. The status is Withdrawn. The ordinance was introduced on 5/14/2026. It was adopted on first reading by the Board of County Commissioners on 6/2/2026. It was withdrawn at the Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee meeting on 7/14/2026, with a note to see substitute Legislative File No. 261278. The prime sponsor is Vicki L. Lopez, and the co-sponsor is Sen. Rene Garcia. The ordinance applies to the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County. It would make it unlawful for any vessel to be anchored for 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, excluding time anchored within a marked mooring field or for permitted marine construction, installation, or maintenance work. Exemptions are provided for vessels owned or operated by a governmental entity, construction or dredging vessels on an active job site, and commercial fishing vessels actively engaged in commercial fishing. Civil penalties for any violation of section 7-40.1 would be $500.00 for a first offense, $1,000.00 for a second offense within five years, and $2,500.00 for a third or subsequent offense within five years. The ordinance would become effective ten days after the date of enactment unless vetoed by the County Mayor. The document does not state a specific street address, parcel, acreage, or number of units. The document does not state any public comment or stakeholder sentiment.