Miami-Dade County, FL Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Miami-Dade County Code § 21-31.1
- General penalty
- Up to $500 fine, 60 days jail
- School/library penalty
- $250 fine or 30 days jail
- Scope
- Both incorporated and unincorporated areas
- Prosecuted in
- Miami-Dade County Court
Summary
Miami-Dade County makes it a crime to loiter on public streets, sidewalks, bridges or overpasses in a way that blocks pedestrian or vehicle passage, punishable by up to $500 in fines.
(b)Loitering. For the purpose of this section "loitering" means the act of standing, remaining or sleeping on, in or about any public street, public sidewalk, public overpass, public bridge, public library or other place specifically enumerated herein. A person commits the offense of loitering when he knowingly:(1)Loiters on any public street, public sidewalk, public overpass, public bridge or public place so as to hinder or impede the passage of pedestrians or vehicles.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Under County Code § 21-31.1(b), a person loiters when they knowingly stand, remain or sleep on a public street, sidewalk, overpass, bridge or library in a way that hinders pedestrian or vehicle passage, disrupts school or college activities, interferes with library operations, or loiters near a police station, courthouse or government building to solicit legal employment or bail bonds. School, library and solicitation violations carry a $250 fine or up to 30 days in jail; other loitering violations carry a $500 fine or up to 60 days in jail. The section applies in both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County, reaching all 34 municipalities as well as UMSA, and is prosecuted in County Court.
Violations & Fines
Loitering that blocks a sidewalk, street, overpass or bridge; disrupts a school, college or library; or solicits legal services or bail bonds outside a courthouse or police station violates § 21-31.1(b) and is charged separately per incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Miami-Dade's loitering law apply inside cities like Miami or Hialeah?
What counts as illegal loitering under county law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida public conduct overview
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