Water Use Rules in Miramar, FL

Miramar maintains 135 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with water use rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Miramar falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Recycled Water Rules

West of Palm Avenue, in Miramar's designated reclaimed water service area, Code of Ordinances Section 21-296 forces irrigation systems onto the city's reclaimed water main: existing individual systems within 12 months of availability, master irrigation systems within 90 days, and any new system immediately upon construction. Section 21-299 limits reclaimed water strictly to irrigation and bars cross-connecting it with the potable supply.

Key details: Service area: West of Palm Avenue. Individual system deadline: 12 months after availability. Master irrigation deadline: 90 days after availability. Permitted use: Irrigation only, no potable use. Application office: Engineering division, public works/utilities.

Reclaimed water service already disconnected for a violation cannot be restored until the violation is permanently corrected, per Section 21-297(a). Section 21-299(d) allows the city to immediately discontinue service to any irrigation system built or operated in violation of the ordinance, without excusing the consumer from separate civil liability or criminal or municipal prosecution. Under Section 21-300, unauthorized work on the system exposes the responsible person to fines and liability for the city's cost of correcting the work.

Turf Replacement Rebates

Miramar's landscaping code caps gravel, stone, concrete, asphalt, and synthetic turf at 10 percent of any landscaped area, but Section 506.5.1 carves out a full exemption for synthetic turf on single-family lots of one acre or less if it meets Florida Department of Environmental Protection turf standards. Larger lots and every other non-living material still count toward that 10 percent cap.

Key details: Combined hardscape cap: 10% of landscaped area. Turf exemption lot size: 1 acre or less, single-family. Turf standard referenced: FL Dept. of Environmental Protection rules. Landscape permit required: For all landscape installations. CO leverage: Withheld until landscaping complies.

Landscaping that exceeds the 10 percent cap on gravel, stone, concrete, asphalt, and non-exempt synthetic turf, or turf on a lot over one acre or that does not meet the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's synthetic turf standards, is out of compliance with Section 506.5.1. Under Section 506.4.5, the Building Official can withhold a final certificate of occupancy until landscape material is installed to the city's satisfaction and in accordance with the approved landscaping plan, giving the city a direct hold on new construction and redevelopment projects that do not meet the standard.

The Bottom Line

Miramar's water use 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.

All of the above reflects Miramar's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.