Miami-Dade County protects native and migratory birds through the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Florida nongame rules, with extra county safeguards for nesting wading birds, burrowing owls, and shoreline rookeries.
Most native birds in Miami-Dade—including herons, egrets, ibis, ospreys, and burrowing owls—are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Florida Statutes Chapter 379. It is unlawful to harass, capture, kill, or destroy active nests without a permit. The county’s Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) coordinates with FWC on shoreline rookery protection, mangrove buffers, and burrowing-owl burrows on vacant lots. Tree-trimming and demolition contractors must survey work sites for active nests during nesting season and pause work if protected nests are found.
Disturbing active nests, harming birds, or removing protected trees with nests can trigger state criminal charges, federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act fines, and county DERM environmental penalties.
Homestead, FL
Tree removal in Homestead is regulated under Miami-Dade County Code Section 24-49. Protected native species like live oak, mahogany, gumbo limbo, and royal p...
Homestead, FL
While Homestead is not directly on the coast, it is within Miami-Dade County's coastal planning area and subject to the Coastal High Hazard Area (CHHA) provi...
See how Homestead's bird protection rules stack up against other locations.
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