Miramar's Fire Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fire regulations a little differently. In Miramar, Florida, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Outdoor Burning

Miramar bars all outdoor fires, including backyard fire pits, under City Code Sec. 9-2 except for noncommercial outdoor food preparation, frost-protection heaters, fire department drills, or a city commission temporary use permit for on-site land-clearing burns.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 9-2. General rule: All outdoor fires prohibited. Narrow exemptions: Food prep, frost protection, fire drills. Land-clearing permit term: 60 days, +30-day extension. Setback for permitted burns: 500 yards from occupied structure.

Igniting or maintaining an unpermitted outdoor fire violates Sec. 9-2(a) and is punishable as provided by law, generally up to $500 per offense with each day a separate violation. A permit obtained for land-clearing burning can be revoked by the fire chief for ignoring an order, and reapplication after revocation costs double the original permit fee.

This is one of the stricter rules in Miramar's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Propane Storage

Miramar requires conditional use approval before a permit can issue for any propane gas storage tank that serves off-site users, including household customers. Backyard tanks for a homeowner's own grill, pool, or spa heater are exempt from that approval, as are tanks in the Utilities zoning district.

Key details: Approval required: Conditional use under LDC § 305. Trigger: Tank serves off-site/household users. Residential exemption: Grills, pool/spa heaters exempt. Zoning exemption: Utilities district (§403) exempt. Permit sequencing: Approval needed before building permit.

Installing or operating a propane gas storage tank that serves off-site users, including household customers, without first securing conditional use approval under Section 305 is a violation of Section 405.22, and the city can withhold or revoke the associated building permit until approval is obtained. Tanks that qualify for the residential accessory exemption or that sit within the Utilities zoning district are not subject to this enforcement path.

Smoke Detectors

Miramar enforces the Florida Building Code Residential R314 and the Florida Fire Prevention Code (NFPA 101 / NFPA 72, 2021 editions) as adopted by the State Fire Marshal, plus Broward County local fire amendments. Smoke alarms are required in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every story. F.S. 553.883 mandates 10-year sealed-battery alarms when battery units are replaced.

Key details: Building Code: Florida Building Code Residential R314. Fire Code: Florida Fire Prevention Code 8th Ed. (NFPA 1 & 101, 2021). Local Adoption: Miramar Code Chapter 9 (Fire Prevention). Required Locations: Each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, every story. New Construction: Hardwired + battery backup + interconnected.

Missing or inoperable smoke alarms are enforceable by Miramar Code Compliance and Miramar Fire-Rescue under Code Chapter 9 with daily fines up to $250/day (first violation) or $500/day (repeat) under F.S. Ch. 162. Selling or installing a non-compliant battery alarm violates F.S. 553.883 and may trigger Department of Business and Professional Regulation enforcement.

Compared to other cities, Miramar takes a harder line on smoke detectors. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Fireworks

Fireworks in Miramar require a fire department permit before storage, sale, handling or use under City Code Sec. 9-5, and the city has adopted NFPA 1124, the Fireworks Manufacture, Transportation and Storage Code, by reference in Sec. 9-51.

Key details: Permit section: City Code Sec. 9-5(f)(4). Code adopted: NFPA 1124, Sec. 9-51(b). Permit applications to: Division of Fire and Life Safety. Inspection frequency: At least twice a year, Sec. 9-6. Violation cycle: Each 10 days = separate offense.

Storing, handling or using fireworks without the Sec. 9-5 permit, or violating NFPA 1124 as adopted in Sec. 9-51, subjects a person to code enforcement board proceedings and/or court prosecution under Sec. 9-52, with each ten-day period of continued noncompliance treated as a separate offense. A permit can also be suspended or revoked by the fire chief for misuse or misrepresentation under Sec. 9-5(i).

Compared to other cities, Miramar takes a harder line on fireworks. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Miramar is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Miramar, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Miramar can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.