EMERGENCY GENERATORS INSTEAD OF EQCB

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

Ordinance amending Miami-Dade County Code sections 24-5, 24-18, and 24-43 to authorize administrative approval of emergency generators for healthcare facilities and food stores within wellfield protection areas, subject to conditions. The ordinance revises the definition of health care facilities, adds a new category of facilities requiring an operating permit, and allows fuels for emergency generators under specific criteria. The scope is countywide. The ordinance was adopted on first reading on 7/21/2026 and forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation following a public hearing on 9/9/2026. The final action is pending BCC assignment, with an agenda date of 10/6/2026. The prime sponsor is Juan Carlos Bermudez. The requester is Regulatory and Economic Resources. The ordinance is intended to streamline regulations and reduce permitting timeframes, allowing administrative approval instead of a public hearing before the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB). The ordinance includes conditions such as the property being served by utility water and sanitary sewers, located more than 30 days travel time from any utility potable water supply well, not within the Northwest Wellfield protection area or West Wellfield Interim protection area, within the Urban Development Boundary, fuel contained in an approved above-ground storage facility with secondary containment, fuel not exceeding 1,500 gallons for food stores, a groundwater monitoring plan for certain tanks, and an operating permit. No negative fiscal impact to the County is anticipated. RER will monitor implementation. The ordinance is expected to benefit property owners and the development community by reducing costs. A review of EQCB cases from 2020 to 2025 indicated approximately eight variances were granted related to emergency generators for healthcare facilities within wellfield protection areas.