HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-14442City of Miami
Ordinance 14442
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 18548 Final Action Date: 2/12/2026
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
10/ARTICLE 1/DIVISION 2/SECTION 10-20 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "BUILDINGS/IN
GENERAL/BUILDING ADMINISTRATION, FEES, AND WAIVERS/RESERVED,"
TO CREATE A PILOT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-33(C)(9) OF
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED
"SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENTS PILOT PROGRAM," THAT INCENTIVIZES
RESIDENTIAL STORM -PROOFING AND FUTURE -PROOFING HOME
UPGRADES- INCLUDING IMPACT -RESISTANT WINDOWS, REINFORCED
ROOFS, FLOOD PROTECTION, ENERGY -EFFICIENT APPLIANCES, LOW -
FLOW TOILETS, INSULATION, PERMEABLE PAVEMENT, AND OTHER
SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENTS - THROUGH REDUCED PERMIT COSTS,
EXPEDITED PERMIT REVIEW, AND PUBLIC OUTREACH MATERIALS TO
INFORM RESIDENTS OF THE PROGRAM AND ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
SPONSOR(S): Mayor Eileen T. Higgins, Commissioner Damian Pardo,
Commissioner Ralph "Rafael" Rosado
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") is vulnerable to severe weather events including
hurricanes and tropical storms which pose significant threats to life, property, and economic
stability; and
WHEREAS, enhancing residential storm resilience through home upgrades such as
impact -resistant windows, reinforced roofs, and flood protection measures reduces community -
wide risk and long-term recovery costs; and
WHEREAS, future -proofing homes by integrating resilient and sustainable design
practices helps ensure long-term adaptability to evolving climate risks, energy demands, and
insurance requirements; and
WHEREAS, energy -efficient improvements such as solar panels upgraded insulation,
energy -efficient Heating. Ventilation, Air Conditioning ("HVAC") systems, and ENERGY STAR -
rated appliances reduce utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to both
affordability and environmental sustainability; and
WHEREAS, water -saving fixtures such as low -flow toilets and showerheads help
conserve water resources and reduce monthly utility bills for homeowners and renters alike; and
WHEREAS, permit costs and extended review timelines can serve as disincentives for
homeowners to make necessary storm -proofing and energy -efficient improvements; and
City of Miami Page 1 of 3 File ID: 18548 (Revision: A) Printed On: 3/6/2026
File ID: 18548 Enactment Number: 14442
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to facilitate and encourage these upgrades by
making the permitting process more affordable and efficient; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2-33(c)(9) of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as
amended, the city Commission may, when it deems necessary, create legislative pilot programs
for a limited period of time, not to exceed one year, with the possibility of reinstatement for one
additional year;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Ordinance are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. Chapter 10 of the City Code is amended in the following particulars:1
"CHAPTER 10. BUILDINGS
ARTICLE I
IN GENERAL
DIVISION 2. BUILDING ADMINISTRATION, FEES, AND WAIVERS
Sec. 10-20. Reserved Sustainable Improvements Pilot Program.
(a)
The Storm -Proof Assistance and Value Enhancements Program ("SAVE") is a
Pilot Program to incentivize residential storm -proofing and future -proofing
upgrades. These upgrades shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Impact -resistant windows;
(2) Reinforced roofs;
(3) Flood protection measures;
(4) Energy -efficient HVAC systems and appliances;
(5) Upgraded Insulation;
(6) Low -flow toilets and water -saving fixtures;
(7) Smart thermostats;
1 Words and/or figures stricken through shall be deleted. Underscored words and/or figures shall be
added. The remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. Asterisks indicate omitted and
unchanged material.
City of Miami Page 2 of 3 File ID: 18548 (Revision: A) Printed on: 3/6/2026
File ID: 18548 Enactment Number: 14442
(8) Living seawalls
(9) Permeable pavement; and
(10) Other sustainable and resilient improvement as determined by
the City Manager or Designee.
Through SAVE, all City building permit fees shall be reduced by fifty percent
(50%) for qualifying improvements. The Building Department shall process all
qualifying applications within three (3) business days, provided that all
applicable City and outside agency requirements are complied.
(b) Qualifying Applicants. A Qualified Applicant is any owner of a residential
property in the City, this includes condominiums and similar residential
buildings.
(c) The pilot program shall sunset one (1) year from the date of its adoption on
February 12, 2027. The City Commission may extend for one (1) more
additional year by Resolution.
*„
Section 3. If any section, part of a section, paragraph, clause, phrase or word of this
Ordinance is declared invalid, the remaining provisions of this Ordinance shall not be affected.
Section 4. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately after final reading and
adoption thereof.2
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ge Wy1 ng III, C y ttor
1/12/2026 e'. ge Wy ng III, City -ttor
2 This Ordinance shall become effective as specified herein unless vetoed by the Mayor within ten (10)
days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Ordinance, it shall become
effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission or upon the effective date stated
herein, whichever is later.
City of Miami Page 3 of 3 File ID: 18548 (Revision: A) Printed on: 3/6/2026