ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14

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

This legislative item, File Number 261040, is an ordinance amending Chapter 14 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, relating to fire prevention and life safety. The ordinance updates definitions, changes requirements for owner's statements on fire investigations, amends procedures for appeals of fire code violations, updates operating permit requirements, and allows for the recording of consent agreements and notices of violation. It also requires building owners/occupants to notify the Chief Fire Official upon correction of certain violations, authorizes the Chief Fire Official to order utility disconnections for pending fire code violations under specific circumstances, makes technical amendments to the Florida Fire Prevention Code, updates the false fire alarm ordinance, provides for the sale of exempt fireworks, designates and posts structures sharing a street address, updates emergency action plan requirements, mandates testing and maintenance of exit/emergency lighting, requires reporting of fire protection system maintenance, addresses emergency power systems and water supplies for firefighting, and modifies civil penalties. The ordinance was introduced on 6/2/2026, had a second reading, and was scheduled for an agenda date of 9/1/2026. It is a substitute to File Number 260390 and requires 4-6 weeks for completion. Public comment included support for the legislation from fireworks vendors concerned about illegal practices and discussions regarding the definition of 'imminent danger' for utility disconnections, the process for businesses to gain compliance, and the enforcement of fireworks sales regulations.