Miami Beach, FL Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Sec. 58-293(b) and (c) build the rodent barrier into the structure itself: every foundation wall must be structurally sound and rodentproof, and every building has to stay weathertight and rodentproof, with windows and exterior doors that are weathertight, watertight, and rodentproof and kept in good working condition. Sec. 58-297(c) extends the same standard to detached accessory structures like sheds and garages, which owners have to keep reasonably clean and sanitary and free from rodents, insects and vermin.

Sec. 58-298(h) puts the extermination duty on people rather than materials. An occupant of a single-dwelling building is responsible for exterminating insects, rodents, vermin, or other pests in the building or on the premises, though termite and other structure-damaging pest control stays the owner's job. Once a building holds more than one unit, whether it is a condominium, co-op, townhouse, or duplex, the code shifts the whole extermination duty, insects, termites, rodents, and other pests, to the owner, covering public spaces and outside premises as well as individual units. The same subsection requires anyone closing up a crawlspace or void space to first humanely remove any animals living there, and to install one-way doors for 14 days before permanent screening goes back in if an opening had been left uncovered.

Sec. 58-292(f) backs this up on the building envelope: every opening beneath a building, including basement or cellar windows and crawl space, must carry approved screening or lattice work specifically to keep animals out.