EMERGENCY GENERATORS INSTEAD OF EQCB

Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee · 2026-09-09 · ordinance

This is a Miami-Dade County ordinance (File Number 261214) that amends Sections 24-5, 24-18, and 24-43 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The ordinance revises a definition and authorizes administrative approval of emergency generators for healthcare facilities and food stores within a wellfield protection area, subject to certain conditions. The scope is countywide. The ordinance was introduced on 6/30/2026, adopted on first reading on 7/21/2026, and forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation following a public hearing on 9/9/2026. The agenda date is 10/6/2026. The prime sponsor is Juan Carlos Bermudez. The ordinance allows administrative approval in lieu of a public hearing before the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB). The ordinance specifies conditions for fuel storage for emergency generators, including that the property is served by utility water and sanitary sewers, is located more than 30 days travel time from any utility potable water supply well, is not within the Northwest Wellfield protection area or West Wellfield Interim protection area, is within the Urban Development Boundary, and that fuel is contained in an approved above-ground storage facility with secondary containment. For food stores, fuel shall not exceed 1,500 gallons per facility. A groundwater monitoring plan approved by the Director is required for certain tanks. An operating permit is required. The ordinance is expected to benefit property owners and applicants by reducing development costs. A review of EQCB cases from 2020 to 2025 indicated approximately eight variances were granted related to emergency generators for healthcare facilities within wellfield protection areas. No public comment sentiment is stated in the document.