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 for fire code violations, updates operating permit requirements, 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 on 7/21/2026, and is scheduled for a second reading on 9/1/2026. The Safety and Health Committee forwarded it to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation following a public hearing on 6/8/2026. Public comment included support from Mr. Ron Book on behalf of Neptune Fireworks, American Promotional, and TNT Fireworks, who raised concerns about illegal 'packing the cakes' and supported the ordinance to close gaps within Florida Statute 791. 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 document does not state a specific street address, parcel, acreage, or dollar amount. 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 change, not a specific development project. The ordinance updates fire code provisions, including new requirements for fireworks exempt sales recordkeeping, emergency power systems, water supply outside the Urban Development Boundary, and increased 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.