WallDockDeck
Miami · Miami-Dade County

What are the storm and debris rules in Miami?

Evacuate earlycity marinas recommend leaving before a watch

Miami's own marinas say city mooring facilities are not safe in tropical storms or hurricanes and recommend vessels leave before a hurricane watch or warning; if an owner does not, the Harbormaster may move or secure the boat and charge a fee. Licensees must keep a hurricane plan on file. Private seawalls must be kept in good repair, with 180 days to start abating after a citation.

Source: City of Miami Code of Ordinances Secs. 29-95, 50-15, 50-16, 50-17 (Municode); s. 327.59, Fla. Stat. (2026) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

City mooring facilitiesCity mooring facilities are not safe locations for vessels during tropical storms or hurricanes; the city recommends vessels evacuate prior to a hurricane watch or warning. If a vessel is not removed before a storm, the city may remove it if reasonable or have the Harbormaster secure it, may charge a reasonable fee, and is not liable for storm damage - Code Sec. 50-16
Hurricane plan on fileLicensees at all city marinas and mooring facilities must file and maintain a plan with emergency contacts and the names of people authorized to secure the vessel in advance of a tropical storm or hurricane - Sec. 50-17
Emergency vessel repairsLicensees consent to the dockmaster or harbormaster making emergency repairs (failed bilge, fuel or sewage pumps, leaks, chafed or broken lines); costs are billed to the owner, payable within 24 hours of return - Sec. 50-15
Seawall repair clockOwners must keep seawalls and other shoreline protection in good repair; privately owned waterfront improvements are privately maintained even where they extend into public land. On citation: begin abating within 180 days by retaining a licensed contractor to apply for a permit, begin repairs within 18 months and finish within 24 months (12 and 18 months for walls designed to be raised); extensions in six-month increments - Sec. 29-95
State lawPrivate marinas may not require vessels to leave after a hurricane watch or warning, but may by contract remove or secure a vessel that is not promptly removed after a tropical storm or hurricane watch, for a reasonable fee - s. 327.59(1)-(3), Fla. Stat. (2026)

Your city's height sheet

The elevation your city requires, the datum it is measured in, and the section of code that says so. One page.

Available for the cities whose rule we have verified and sourced.

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The county rule behind this

What applies across Miami-Dade County, and where each city departs from it.

Miami-Dade CountySeawall requirements county-wide

The same question, nearby

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

Miami-DadeMiami BeachMiami-DadeCoral GablesMiami-DadeKey BiscayneMiami-DadeSurfside

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Twelve signs a seawall is failing

What to look for, where to look for it, and what it means when you find it. Walk your wall in twenty minutes.

A screening sheet for owners, not an engineering inspection.

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