RELATING TO BOATS AND WATERWAYS

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

Miami-Dade County is enacting new regulations for overnight anchoring of vessels in both incorporated and unincorporated areas. The ordinance, File Number 261278, creates Section 7-40.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, to restrict vessels from anchoring for more than 30 days in any 6-month period between sunset and sunrise, with specific exemptions. These exemptions include vessels owned or operated by a governmental entity for governmental functions, construction or dredging vessels on active job sites, and commercial fishing vessels actively engaged in fishing. The ordinance also amends Section 8CC-10 to update the schedule of civil penalties for violations, with penalties ranging from $500 for a first offense to $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense within five years. Enforcement can be carried out by county code inspectors, municipalities (unless they have adopted their own regulations and notified the county), and any law enforcement officer with jurisdiction. A courtesy warning notice procedure is also established. The ordinance was forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) with a favorable recommendation from the Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee on July 14, 2026, and was scheduled for BCC consideration on October 20, 2026. The ordinance is a substitute to File Number 260878 and is expected to require 4-6 weeks for processing.