R5AD - Extend Sunset Date for Discounted Fees

Ordinances - R5 AD

R5 AD AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2024-4682 TO EXTEND THE SUNSET DATE OF THE DISCOUNTED FEES FOR TIMELY FILED RECERTIFICATION REPORTS AND ASSOCIATED BUILDING PERMIT FEES FROM DECEMBER 31, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2026; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

DATE:

RECOMMENDATION

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

ANALYSIS

The sponsor of the attached ordinance, Commissioner David Suarez, presents it for consideration on first reading.

Section 553.80, Florida Statutes, requires that building permit fees be consistently applied.

Building permit fees for residential single-family residences are currently calculated at 1.7 percent of the construction costs and for commercial properties, which include condominiums and cooperatives, are calculated at 1.9 percent of construction costs.

The recently enacted "milestone" inspection of a building's structural integrity as set forth in section 553.899, Florida Statutes, includes inspection of the load-bearing walls and other structural elements designed to provide support and stability for the overall structure.

Existing buildings are required to be recertified as structurally and electrically safe for continued use and occupancy as required by section 8-11 of the Miami-Dade County Code.

Many condominium and cooperative associations were not prepared for milestone inspections and recertification expenditures, including permit fees, which were previously required for buildings or structures that have been in existence for forty years and subsequent reinspection at ten-year intervals.

In response, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2024-4682 to provide a 50% discount on the recertification filing fee for timely submissions and reduced building permit fees for work associated with recertification.

Despite these efforts, many condominium and cooperative associations continue to face financial and logistical challenges in complying with recertification requirements, including limited reserves,

difficulty securing qualified professionals, and the cumulative burden of repair costs.

If adopted, extending the sunset date of the incentives established in Ordinance No. 2024-4682 by one additional year will provide continued relief and encourage timely compliance with recertification mandates, thereby promoting public safety and structural accountability.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The Building Department will provide an estimate of the economic impact of the proposed ordinance.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? No (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

CONCLUSION

Applicable Area

Citywide

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

City Attorney

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner David Suarez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

3:05 p.m. 1st Rdg, Extend Sunset Date of Discounted Building Permit Fees. (Suarez) CA