Miami-Dade County has significant wildfire risk along the Everglades urban-wildland interface. The Florida Forest Service manages wildfire risk with burn bans during drought. Properties near natural areas must maintain defensible space.
Miami-Dade County faces wildfire risk primarily along the western urban-wildland interface with the Everglades and in natural areas throughout the county. The Florida Forest Service and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue jointly manage wildfire risk. In early 2025, wildfires burned over 26,000 acres across South Florida affecting Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. During drought conditions, the Florida Division of Forestry issues burn bans restricting all outdoor burning. Properties adjacent to natural areas must maintain defensible space by keeping vegetation groomed, irrigated, and free of debris. The county has a Wildland-Urban Interface code requiring additional fire-resistant construction measures for structures near natural areas.
Burning during a burn ban is a criminal offense. Failure to maintain defensible space may result in code enforcement. Insurance may be affected in high-risk wildfire zones.
Miami-Dade County, FL
Miami-Dade is not a sanctuary jurisdiction. After being labeled a sanctuary 2013 to 2017, then-Mayor Carlos Gimenez ordered full ICE cooperation in January 2...
Miami-Dade County, FL
Miami-Dade cannot mandate paid sick leave or predictable scheduling for private employers. House Bill 433 (2024) preempts all local employment benefits, hour...
Miami-Dade County, FL
Miami-Dade cannot set its own minimum wage above the Florida rate. The state Constitution Article X Section 24 fixes the floor at $14.84 in 2026, rising to $...
Miami-Dade County, FL
Every business operating in unincorporated Miami-Dade needs a Local Business Tax Receipt under Chapter 8A, with rates set by classification on a county sched...
Miami-Dade County, FL
Miami-Dade's Living Wage Ordinance (Chapter 2 §2-8.9, enacted 1999 as the first U.S. county living-wage law) requires direct county service contractors and a...
Miami-Dade County, FL
Hotels and short-term rentals in Miami-Dade collect a combined 13 percent tax: 6 percent state sales tax, 4 percent Convention Development Tax, 3 percent Tou...
See how Miami-Dade County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.