What North Miami Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

North Miami, Florida may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 13 tracked ordinances across 10 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

North Miami takes a lighter touch compared to many cities. More than half of its ordinances sit at the more permissive end of the scale. That does not mean there are no rules, but enforcement tends to focus on clear violations rather than minor infractions.

Home Business

Cottage Food Operations: Florida's Cottage Food Law (F.S. 500.80) allows North Miami residents to produce and sell certain non-potentially hazardous foods from their home kitchens without a food facility license.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: Florida's Solar Rights Act (Statute 163.04) prohibits HOAs and deed restrictions from preventing the installation of solar energy devices in North Miami. HOAs may establish reasonable aesthetic guidelines but cannot prohibit solar panels, impose unreasonable costs, or effectively prevent installation through excessive requirements.

Landscaping Rules

Native Plants: North Miami encourages Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles and native plant use. Florida law (F.S.

Also covered: Rainwater Harvesting (permissive), Artificial Turf (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for North Miami for details.

Animal Ordinances

Beekeeping: Beekeeping in North Miami is governed by Florida Statute 586, which preempts local governments from prohibiting beekeeping. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) regulates all apiary activities statewide.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Fireworks that propel through the air, detonate, or explode are illegal to sell or purchase in Miami-Dade County. Under Florida Statute 791, consumer fireworks may only be used on three designated dates: July 4th, New Year's Eve (December 31st), and New Year's Day (January 1st).

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing & Safety Requirements: North Miami enforces strict pool barrier requirements under the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (F.S. 515) and the Florida Building Code HVHZ provisions.

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for North Miami for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: North Miami does not have a local just-cause eviction ordinance. Eviction procedures follow Florida Statute 83 Part II (Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), which allows landlords to terminate tenancies for cause or without cause by providing proper notice.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Home cultivation of cannabis is illegal in Florida regardless of medical marijuana patient status. Florida's medical marijuana program under Amendment 2 and Florida Statute 381.986 authorizes only licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) to cultivate cannabis.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks operating in North Miami must hold a valid Florida DBPR mobile food dispensing vehicle license and Miami-Dade County health permit. Since 2020, Florida law preempts cities from requiring a separate local business license for food trucks.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Recreational drone flights in North Miami are heavily restricted by proximity to Opa-locka Executive Airport and Miami-Opa locka Executive Airport controlled airspace. FAA LAANC authorization is required for most of the city.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for North Miami includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.