ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14

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

[case 261040] This is a legislative matter, not a development project. It is an ordinance amending Chapter 14 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, relating to fire prevention. The ordinance updates definitions, changes requirements for owner's statements on fire investigations, amends procedures for appeals of fire code violations, updates requirements for operating permits, provides for recording of consent agreements and notices of violation, requires building owners and occupants to notify the Chief Fire Official upon correction of certain violations, authorizes the Chief Fire Official to order disconnection of utilities in buildings with 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 in accordance with Section 791.04, Florida Statutes, provides for designation and posting to identify structures sharing a street address, updates requirements for submittal and review of emergency action plans, provides for testing and maintenance of exit and emergency lighting equipment, provides for reporting of required maintenance activities for fire protection systems, provides for protection and installation of emergency power systems and for installation and maintenance of water supplies for firefighting outside the Urban Development Boundary, makes technical and conforming changes, amends Section 8CC-10 of the Code, imposes and modifies civil penalties, and provides severability, inclusion in the Code, and an effective date. The item was introduced on 6/2/2026, deferred at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on 7/21/2026, and was on the agenda for 9/1/2026 as item 7E. The Safety and Health Committee forwarded it to the BCC with a favorable recommendation following a public hearing on 6/8/2026. Public comment included Mr. Ron Book, 4000 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida, on behalf of Neptune Fireworks, American Promotional, and TNT Fireworks, expressing support and raising concerns about illegal 'packing the cakes.' Commissioner Bastien recommended defining 'imminent danger,' requiring written documentation of disconnect determinations, and establishing an emergency appeal process. Commissioner Hardemon expressed concerns about illegal fireworks in residential neighborhoods. The sponsor is Roberto J. Gonzalez. The requester is the Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue Department. The file number is 261040, and it is a substitute to file no. 260390. The document is a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 14 (Fire Prevention) and Chapter 8CC (Schedule of Civil Penalties) of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is a countywide regulatory update, not a specific development project. The ordinance updates the local fire code to align with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, adds new requirements for fireworks exempt sales, emergency power systems, water supply, and emergency vehicle zones, and increases civil penalties for violations. The staff recommendation is to approve the ordinance. The document does not state a specific address, parcel, acreage, or applicant for a construction project.