Miramar's Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Miramar, Florida, there are 2 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.

Encroachment Permits

Miramar's Land Development Code bars fences, walls, sheds, signs and landscaping from encroaching on any public utility easement next to a street right-of-way. The city manager or a designee can lift that ban only by issuing a revocable license agreement, and only when the encroachment is minor, tied to a permitted structure, and cleared in writing by every utility with rights to the easement.

Key details: Governing section: LDC § 307.16, Encroachment into Platted Easements. Approving official: City manager or designee via revocable license. Condition 1: Encroachment must be de minimis, per the city. Condition 2: Tied to a permitted structure meeting then-current setbacks. Condition 3: Written consent required from every affected utility.

An encroachment placed in a platted utility easement without a signed revocable license agreement and written utility consent is unauthorized under section 307.16 and can be ordered removed at the property owner's expense. Because the license the city issues is revocable, the city or any utility with rights to the easement may remove or destroy a noncompliant fence, wall, shed, sign or landscaping to access the easement, and the code specifically relieves the city and the utility of any liability for repair or replacement of what is removed.

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.

Obstruction Rules

Miramar prohibits obstructing any sidewalk in the city, naming barriers, sprinkler systems and other obstacles that block free access, under City Code Sec. 23-11. A related definitions section, Sec. 23-14, separately lists trees, landscape beds, fences and mailboxes as encroachments that must yield when new sidewalks are installed.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 23-11. Named obstructions: Barriers, sprinkler systems, other impediments. Exception process: City commission resolution under § 23-12. Related encroachment list: Trees, fences, mailboxes, walls, poles, berms. Origin: Code 1964, § 20-14.

A violation of Sec. 23-11 is enforceable as a general Code violation; the city's code enforcement division can cite the responsible party and require removal of the obstruction, and the city commission's special-exception process under Sec. 23-12 is the only avenue to keep an otherwise-prohibited obstruction in place.

The Bottom Line

Miramar's sidewalk & pedestrian rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Miramar is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Miramar's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.