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Coral Gables · Miami-Dade County

What are the storm and debris rules in Coral Gables?

24 hoursbefore predicted landfall to moor in city waterways

Coral Gables makes boat owners responsible for securing their boats before a hurricane; boats using the city waterway for refuge must be securely moored no later than 24 hours before the officially predicted approach, and any damage from those moorings - including removal or salvage - is the boat owner's liability. Disaster debris on private property is the owner's responsibility, and tying a boat to someone else's dock or seawall without consent is unlawful.

Source: City of Coral Gables Code of Ordinances Secs. 27-8, 86-87, 105-89 (Municode) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

Mooring for refugeBoats or watercraft using the city waterway for refuge will be securely moored not later than 24 hours prior to the officially predicted approach of a hurricane, with adequate equipment and safeguards; no such mooring constitutes official approval by the city - Code Sec. 86-87(b)(1)-(2)
LiabilityDamages to boats, property or persons flowing from hurricane moorings in the city waterway are the personal responsibility of the boat owner, including removal or salvage of the boat - Sec. 86-87(b)(3)
Someone else's dockIt is unlawful to moor or tie a boat at a dock, piling or seawall of a property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the premises - Sec. 86-87(c)
Private-property debrisDisaster-generated debris on private roads and private property is the responsibility of the property owner, who must rely heavily on private contractors; the city may remove it only on a declared immediate threat with right-of-entry and hold-harmless documentation, limited to living, recreational and working areas - Sec. 27-8 (Ord. 2017-42)
Shutters after the stormAn occupied structure whose storm shutters have not been removed from the required means of escape after a hurricane watch or warning has expired is an unsafe structure - Sec. 105-89(7)

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The county rule behind this

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Miami-Dade CountySeawall requirements county-wide

The same question, nearby

The rule changes at the city line, not the county line.

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