RELATING TO BOATS AND WATERWAYS

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

The document is a legislative item for an ordinance relating to boats and waterways in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It creates Section 7-40.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, adopting overnight anchoring regulations, providing exemptions, and providing for enforcement by civil penalty. It amends Section 8CC-10 of the Code to update the schedule of civil penalties. The ordinance restricts any vessel from being anchored for 1 hour or more between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise for more than 30 days in any 6-month period, excluding time anchored within a marked mooring field or for permitted marine construction. Exemptions include vessels owned or operated by a governmental entity, construction or dredging vessels on an active job site, and commercial fishing vessels actively engaged in commercial fishing. Civil penalties are $500 for first offense, $1,000 for second offense within five years, and $2,500 for third or subsequent offense within five years. The ordinance applies to both incorporated and unincorporated areas. The effective date is ten days after enactment unless vetoed by the County Mayor. The file number is 261278. The status is Add-on. The introduced date is 7/9/2026. The prime sponsor is Vicki L. Lopez, and the co-sponsor is Sen. Rene Garcia. The agenda date is not stated. The agenda item number is 7. The final action is not stated. The document notes it is a substitute to file number 260878 and requires 4-6 weeks. The ordinance is based on House Bill 481, which expanded local government authority over anchoring. The population of Miami-Dade County was estimated at 2,838,461 as of July 1, 2024. The document does not state a specific street address, parcel, acreage, or number of units. The document does not state any public comment or stakeholder sentiment.