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Item R5L

R5L - Waive Variance Fees for Building Recertification

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VARIANCE FEE WAIVERS FOR BUILDING RECERTIFICATION AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, SUBPART B, ENTITLED, "LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS," BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2 ENTITLED “ADMINISTRATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES,” ARTICLE ENTITLED “GENERAL DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION AND HEARING PROCEDURES,” BY AMENDING SECTION 2.2.3, ENTITLED “DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND REVIEW,” BY MODIFYING THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS FOR LAND USE BOARD APPLICATION FEES AND ESTABLISHING A PROCESS AND CRITERIA FOR THE CITY COMMISSION TO CONSIDER A WAIVER OF REQUIRED FEES FOR VARIANCE APPLICATIONS RELATED TO COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE BUILDING RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; REPEALER; SEVERABILITY; AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.  

July 23, 2025
Sponsors
Planning Department
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Detailed Information

Cached: 3 weeks ago

Ordinances - R5 L

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM:
Eric Carpenter, City Manager
DATE:
July 23, 2025

10:25 a.m. Second Reading Public Hearing

TITLE:
VARIANCE FEE WAIVERS FOR BUILDING RECERTIFICATION AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, SUBPART B, ENTITLED, "LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS," BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2 ENTITLED “ADMINISTRATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES,” ARTICLE ENTITLED “GENERAL DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION AND HEARING PROCEDURES,” BY AMENDING SECTION 2.2.3, ENTITLED “DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND REVIEW,” BY MODIFYING THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS FOR LAND USE BOARD APPLICATION FEES AND ESTABLISHING A PROCESS AND CRITERIA FOR THE CITY COMMISSION TO CONSIDER A WAIVER OF REQUIRED FEES FOR VARIANCE APPLICATIONS RELATED TO COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE BUILDING RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; REPEALER; SEVERABILITY; AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission (City Commission) adopt the ordinance.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

On November 20, 2024, at the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, the City Commission referred a discussion pertaining to fee waivers for variance applications related to building recertification requirements (C4 R) to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee (LUSC). On January 16, 2025, the LUSC recommended that the City Commission refer an amendment to the Land Development Regulations of the City Code (LDRs) to the Planning Board, in accordance with the recommendations in the LUSC memorandum and the following:

1. A provision to establish financial or other hardship shall be included in the draft ordinance.

2. A provision shall be included in the ordinance to prioritize variance requests at applicable land use boards that are related to building recertification requirements.

On February 26, 2025, at the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, the City Commission referred the subject ordinance to the Planning Board (C4 D).

ANALYSIS

Pursuant to the recommendation of the LUSC, the attached draft ordinance proposes that the City Commission have the ability to waive land use board application fees for variance requests by Resolution. This waiver would apply when a variance is requested to make repairs or improvements that address deficiencies identified in a milestone inspection report (building recertification) for a residential building. The ordinance also includes recommendations from the

LUSC regarding financial hardship and the prioritization of variance applications related to building recertification.

PLANNING BOARD REVIEW On April 8, 2025, the Planning Board held a public hearing and transmitted the proposed ordinance to the City Commission with a favorable recommendation (7-0).

UPDATE The subject ordinance was approved at First Reading on May 21, 2025, with no changes.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The number of variance requests that would be eligible for the proposed fee waiver are expected to be nominal. Additionally, all fee waivers would be subject to City Commission approval. As such, no fiscal impact is expected.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? Yes (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: 6/20/2025 See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Not Applicable

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends that the City Commission adopt the ordinance.

Applicable Area

Citywide

Is this a “Residents Right to Know” item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-17?

Is this item related to a G.O. Bond Project?

Yes

No

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Planning

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

10:25 a.m. 2nd Rdg, Variance Fee Waivers for Building Recertification. (Fernandez) PL 5/7

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)

First Reading Public Hearing on 5/21/2025 - R5 N

Attachment

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