ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14

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

[case 261040] This is a legislative item for 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 statements on fire investigations, amends appeals procedures, 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 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. The sponsor is Roberto J. Gonzalez. The requester is the Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue Department. The file number is 261040. It is a substitute to file number 260390. Public comment included Mr. Ron Book, 4000 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida, on behalf of Neptune Fireworks, American Promotional, and TNT Fireworks, expressing support for the proposed legislation, highlighting the fire department's efforts to keep the community safe during holidays when fireworks are used, raising concerns about the illegal practice of 'packing the cakes,' stating that the local ordinance was necessary to close gaps within Florida Statute 791, and emphasizing the importance of complying with both state law and local regulations. Commissioner Bastien recommended that the committee clearly define 'imminent danger' in the proposed ordinance, require written documentation of any disconnect determination, and establish an emergency appeal process for affected businesses. Chairman Gonzalez directed the administration to develop a formal definition or sufficient clarification of 'imminent danger' related to the utility disconnect authority within the proposed ordinance. Commissioner Hardemon expressed concerns about the sale and use of illegal fireworks in residential neighborhoods, describing the persistent issue of fireworks that sounded like bombs, which caused fires near homes and trees, frightened children and pets, set off car alarms, and left debris in the streets. Mr. Book offered a practical way to distinguish between fireworks and sparklers, explaining that sparklers were ground-based products that produced a fountain effect, while fireworks, as defined by the statute, were products launched into the air. He confirmed that a significant number of illegal fireworks were being sold in pop-up tents and fixed locations with no legal authority to do so under Florida Statute 791. He again expressed his support for the proposed ordinance, which would give the fire department the necessary authority to stop dangerous firework sales. This document is a proposed ordinance amending Chapters 14 and 8CC of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, relating to fire prevention and safety. It is a countywide regulatory change, not a specific development project. The ordinance updates the local fire prevention code, including 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. No specific address, parcel, acreage, or applicant is stated.