RELATING TO BOATS AND WATERWAYS

Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee · 2026-07-14 · ordinance

This is a legislative item for an ordinance relating to boats and waterways in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The ordinance would create Section 7-40.1 of the County Code to restrict overnight anchoring of vessels for more than 30 days in any 6-month period, with exemptions for government vessels, construction/dredging vessels on active job sites, and commercial fishing vessels. It also amends Section 8CC-10 to add civil penalties for violations: $500 for first offense, $1,000 for second offense within five years, and $2,500 for third or subsequent offense within five years. The item was introduced on 7/9/2026, and on 7/14/2026 the Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee forwarded it to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation following a public hearing, with a request that it be placed on the agenda of the October 20, 2026 Board meeting. The status is Second Reading. The prime sponsor is Vicki L. Lopez. The file number is 261278. The document does not state a specific street address, parcel, acreage, or number of units for a project. Public comment included opposition from several individuals who lived aboard vessels, expressing concerns that the ordinance would effectively ban liveaboards and render them homeless, and support from mayors of North Bay Village, Bal Harbour, and a Miami Beach commissioner, who cited issues with derelict vessels and the need for countywide uniformity. Commissioner Regalado remained unsupportive and requested her district, including Coconut Grove, be exempted. Commissioner McGhee expressed concern about the perception of directing enforcement against individuals who live aboard vessels and requested more information. The committee requested additional information on the number of residents living aboard vessels and the number of municipalities enforcing the exception before the Board meeting.