HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit ACHAPTER 2025-39
Committee Substitute for
Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 481
An act relating to anchoring limitation areas; amending s. 327.60, F.S.;
restricting local regulation of vessels outside the marked boundaries of
mooring fields in certain counties; amending s. 327.4108, F.S.; designating
specified sections of Biscayne Bay in Miami -Dade County as grand -
fathered -in anchoring limitation areas; amending s. 327.4109, F.S.;
increasing the prohibited anchoring and mooring distance of vessels
and floating structures near public mooring fields; providing an effective
date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of section 327.60, Florida
Statutes, is amended to read:
327.60 Local regulations; limitations.—
(2) This chapter and chapter 328 do not prevent the adoption of any
ordinance or local regulation relating to operation of vessels, except that a
county or municipality may not enact, continue in effect, or enforce any
ordinance or local regulation:
(f) Regulating the anchoring of vessels outside the marked boundaries of
mooring fields permitted as provided in s. 327.40, except for:
1. Live -aboard vessels; and
2. Commercial vessels, excluding commercial fishing vessels; and
3. Vessels anchored for a period of 1 hour or more between one-half hour
after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise for more than 30 days in any 6-
month period within the jurisdiction of a county with a population of 1.5
million or more, excluding any time the vessel is anchored overnight within
the boundaries of a marked mooring field or any time the vessel is anchored
overnight for the purpose of completing permitted marine construction,
installation, or maintenance work;
Section 2. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 327.4108, Florida
Statutes, is amended to read:
327.4108 Anchoring of vessels in anchoring limitation areas.—
(1) The following densely populated urban areas, which have narrow
state waterways, residential docking facilities, and significant recreational
boating traffic, are designated as and shall be considered to be grand -
fathered -in anchoring limitation areas, within which a person may not
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Ch. 2025-39
LAWS OF FLORIDA Ch. 2025-39
anchor a vessel at any time during the period between one-half hour after
sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, except as provided in subsections
(4) and (5):
(c) The sections of Biscayne Bay in Miami -Dade County lying between:
1. Palm Island and State Road A1A.
2. Palm Island and Star Island.
3. Palm Island and Hibiscus Island.
4. Palm Island and Watson Island.
5.2, Rivo Alto Island and Di Lido Island.
6.-3: San Marino Island and Di Lido Island.
7.4, San Marino Island and San Marco Island.
8. San Marco Island and Biscayne Island.
9. The Sunset Islands.
10. Sunset Island I and State Road 112.
Section 3. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 327.4109, Florida
Statutes, is amended to read:
327.4109 Anchoring or mooring prohibited; exceptions; penalties.—
(1)(a) The owner or operator of a vessel or floating structure may not
anchor or moor such that the nearest approach of the anchored or moored
vessel or floating structure is:
1. Within 150 feet of any public or private marina, boat ramp, boatyard,
or other public vessel launching or loading facility;
2. Within 500 feet of a superyacht repair facility. For purposes of this
subparagraph, the term "superyacht repair facility" means a facility that
services or repairs a yacht with a water line of 120 feet or more in length; or
3. Within 300 400 feet outward from the marked boundary of a public
mooring field or a lesser distance if approved by the commission upon
request of a local government within which the mooring field is located. The
commission may adopt rules to implement this subparagraph.
Section 4. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
Approved by the Governor May 19, 2025.
Filed in Office Secretary of State May 19, 2025.
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CODING: Words strickcn are deletions; words underlined are additions.