RELATING TO BOATS AND WATERWAYS

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-06-02 · ordinance

The document is a legislative item for an ordinance relating to boats and waterways in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It creates Section 7-40.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, adopting overnight anchoring regulations, providing exemptions, and providing for enforcement by civil penalty. It amends Section 8CC-10 of the Code to update the schedule of civil penalties. The ordinance was introduced on 5/14/2026, adopted on first reading on 6/2/2026, and is scheduled for a public hearing before the Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee on 7/14/2026. The prime sponsor is Vicki L. Lopez, with co-sponsor Sen. Rene Garcia. The case/file number is 260878. The ordinance applies to the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County. The restriction makes it unlawful for any vessel to be anchored for a period of 1 hour or more between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise for more than 30 days in any 6-month period, excluding time anchored overnight within a marked mooring field or for permitted marine construction, installation, or maintenance work. Exemptions include vessels owned or operated by a governmental entity, construction or dredging vessels on an active job site, and commercial fishing vessels actively engaged in commercial fishing. Civil penalties are $500.00 for first offense, $1,000.00 for second offense within five years, and $2,500.00 for third or subsequent offense within five years. The ordinance becomes effective ten (10) days after the date of enactment unless vetoed by the County Mayor. The document does not state a specific street address, parcel/folio, acreage, or number of units/lots. The document does not state any public comment or stakeholder sentiment.