R5N - Permit Fees for Fire Dept Radio Strength
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AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 50 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, ENTITLED “FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION,” BY AMENDING SECTION 50-10, TO ESTABLISH PERMITTING FEES TO RECOVER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPLIANCE OF THE MINIMUM RADIO STRENGTH FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS IN ALL NEW AND EXISTING BUILDINGS, AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 633.202(18), FLORIDA STATUTES; AND FURTHER AMENDING SECTION 1-15, ENTITLED “FEE SCHEDULE,” BY AMENDING APPENDIX “A” THEREOF, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PERMITTING FEES AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPLIANCE OF THE MINIMUM RADIO STRENGTH FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS IN ALL NEW AND EXISTING BUILDINGS ; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Sponsors
Detailed Information
Cached: 2 days agoOrdinances - R5 N
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
10:35 a.m. First Reading Public Hearing
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the subject Ordinance at First Reading and set the second reading public hearing for September 17, 2025. If adopted this ordinance will provide for a new section of Chapter 50 to establish a permit and fees to cover costs associated with addressing requirements set forth in State Statute 633.202(18) to comply with minimum radio communication strength in all new and existing buildings.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
Pursuant to Florida Statute 633.202(18)(a), the State of Florida has established requirements that directly impact the City of Miami Beach concerning public safety communications coverage in buildings. The statute specifies minimum performance standards for radio signal strength to ensure reliable communication for first responders. Under the statute, certain structures, including high-rise buildings, must undergo a signal survey assessment. The results of this assessment are reviewed by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in this case, the Miami Beach Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division to determine whether technology must be integrated into existing building systems to enhance public safety communications.
Critical components of the statute, including definitions such as “high-rise building,” are provided under F.S. 633.202(18) and the Florida Fire Prevention Code (Attachment A). As of January 1, 2025 compliance is required for all new and existing high-rise buildings. Where signal strength does not meet statutory minimums, buildings are required to install two-way radio communication enhancement systems, such as Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) systems, to support reliable emergency communications.
ANALYSIS
Florida Statute 633.202 imposes responsibilities on the City to ensure compliance with public safety communication standards. The Fire department is tasked with reviewing BDA system plans, permitting installations, conducting on-site inspections during installation and commissioning, and performing periodic re-inspections to ensure ongoing system functionality. These activities represent a significant increase in workload for the Fire Prevention Division.
To support these operational and administrative requirements, the proposed ordinance establishes a new permit category and fee structure specifically for BDA systems. The fee is intended to cover staff time for plan review and inspections, administrative processing, recordkeeping, and equipment and training needed to evaluate these systems (Attachment B). Without the fee, these costs would be absorbed by the City, and are expected to rise as more buildings pursue compliance.
The City has evaluated comparable jurisdictions including Miami-Dade County, the City of Hialeah, and the City of Fort Lauderdale which have already implemented similar fees for BDA systems. The proposed fee is consistent with regional standards and similar to those of other municipalities. It is also structured to be assessed once every three years, minimizing the financial impact on building owners while supporting public safety compliance.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed fee structure will offset the costs associated with staff time dedicated to plan reviews and inspections, administrative processing and recordkeeping, as well as the equipment and training required to evaluate BDA systems. If the proposed fees are not adopted, the City would be responsible for these expenses, as more properties move toward compliance with state statute.
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? Yes (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
CONCLUSION
The adoption of these amendments to the Fire Prevention Fee Schedule is recommended to ensure effective processing of structure survey submissions and signal booster applications, offset costs related to site visit/inspection requests, and align the City of Miami Beach Fire Fees with fee structure approaches adopted by other nearby municipalities.
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
Fire
Sponsor(s) Mayor Steven Meiner
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
10:35 a.m. 1st Rdg PH, Ch. 50, Fire Prevention/Radio Enhancement. FD
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)