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 proposes creating Section 7-40.1 of the County Code to restrict overnight anchoring of vessels for more than 30 days in any 6-month period, with exemptions for government vessels, construction/dredging vessels on active job sites, and commercial fishing vessels. It also amends Section 8CC-10 to update the schedule of civil penalties for violations. The item was introduced on 7/9/2026, and on 7/14/2026 the Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee forwarded it to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation following a public hearing, with a request to place it on the agenda for the October 20, 2026 Board meeting. The ordinance is a substitute to file number 260878. The document does not state a specific street address, parcel, acreage, or number of units for a development project. The applicant/developer/owner is not stated; the prime sponsor is Commissioner Vicki L. Lopez. The case/file number is 261278. The decision is a favorable recommendation from the committee, with the final action pending at the Board of County Commissioners. Key dates include introduction on 7/9/2026, committee hearing on 7/14/2026, and the scheduled Board agenda date of 10/20/2026. Public comment included opposition from individuals who live aboard vessels, who stated the ordinance would amount to a ban and could render them homeless, and support from municipal officials from North Bay Village, Bal Harbour, and Miami Beach, who cited issues with derelict vessels and the need for countywide uniformity. Commissioner Regalado opposed the item and requested her district be exempted, and Commissioner McGhee expressed concern about the potential for increased homelessness. The business opportunity is not stated in the document.