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 appeals procedures, updates operating permit requirements, provides for recording of consent agreements and notices of violation, requires notification upon correction of violations, authorizes the Chief Fire Official to order utility disconnection 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, provides for designation and posting of structures sharing a street address, updates requirements for emergency action plans, provides for testing and maintenance of exit and emergency lighting, provides for reporting of maintenance activities for fire protection systems, provides for protection and installation of emergency power systems and water supplies for firefighting outside the Urban Development Boundary, amends Section 8CC-10, and imposes and modifies civil penalties. The ordinance was introduced on 6/2/2026, deferred on 7/21/2026, and is scheduled for a second reading on 9/1/2026. It was forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation from the Safety and Health Committee on 6/8/2026. The sponsor is Roberto J. Gonzalez. The requester is the Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue Department. The file number is 261040. Public comment included support from Mr. Ron Book on behalf of Neptune Fireworks, American Promotional, and TNT Fireworks, who raised concerns about illegal fireworks sales. Commissioner Bastien recommended defining 'imminent danger' and establishing an emergency appeal process for utility disconnection. Commissioner Hardemon expressed concerns about illegal fireworks in residential neighborhoods. The document does not describe a specific development project with an address, parcel, size, or zoning change.