RELATING TO BOATS AND WATERWAYS

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

This legislative item is an ordinance relating to boats and waterways in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It was introduced on 5/14/2026, adopted on first reading on 6/2/2026, and withdrawn on 7/14/2026. The ordinance would create Section 7-40.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, adopting overnight anchoring regulations, and amend Section 8CC-10 to update the schedule of civil penalties. The ordinance applies to all waters in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County, including Biscayne Bay. It makes 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, with exemptions for governmental vessels, construction or dredging vessels on active job sites, and commercial fishing vessels actively engaged in commercial fishing. Civil penalties are set at $500 for first offense, $1,000 for second offense within five years, and $2,500 for third or subsequent offense within five years. The ordinance was sponsored by Vicki L. Lopez and co-sponsored by Sen. Rene Garcia. The file number is 260878. The status is withdrawn, with a note to see substitute file 261278. No public comment or stakeholder sentiment is stated in the document.