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 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 one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, with specific exemptions. These exemptions include vessels owned or operated by a governmental entity for a governmental function, construction or dredging vessels on an active job site, and commercial fishing vessels actively engaged in commercial fishing. The regulations also provide for enforcement through civil penalties, with escalating fines for repeat offenses, and other remedies including vessel removal. The ordinance amends Section 8CC-10 of the Code to update the schedule of civil penalties. The legislation was sponsored by Vicki L. Lopez and is a substitute to a previous item (File No. 260878). The Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee forwarded the item to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) with a favorable recommendation. Commissioner Regalado requested the item be placed on the October 21, 2026 BCC agenda. The ordinance is expected to be effective ten days after enactment.