EMERGENCY GENERATORS INSTEAD OF EQCB

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-07-21 · ordinance

Miami-Dade County is considering an ordinance to amend environmental protection codes. The proposed changes would allow for administrative approval of emergency generators for healthcare facilities and food stores located within wellfield protection areas, provided specific conditions are met. Currently, such approvals require a public hearing before the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB). The ordinance aims to streamline this process, reduce development costs, and expedite permitting for these essential facilities. Key conditions for administrative approval include the property being served by utility water and sewer, located more than 30 days travel time from a water supply well (and outside the Northwest and West Wellfield protection areas), within the Urban Development Boundary, and utilizing approved above-ground storage facilities with secondary containment and a groundwater monitoring plan. Fuel volume limits apply to food stores (1,500 gallons) and healthcare facilities (volume required by regulations). The ordinance is currently in committee, with a first reading and tentative public hearing scheduled. The Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) department will monitor implementation.