Miami-Dade County, FL Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Where it applies
- Unincorporated Miami-Dade (UMSA) only
- Entry threshold
- 5% WHUs = 5% density bonus
- Maximum bonus
- 25% density at 10% WHU set-aside
- Review required
- Administrative Site Plan Review (20+ units)
- Governing section
- Code § 33-193.7.1
Summary
In unincorporated Miami-Dade, developments that set aside workforce housing units earn a density bonus of up to 25% above the CDMP land use cap.
Within the unincorporated area, density bonuses for residential developments that provide workforce housing units shall be provided in accordance with this section... All single-family and multi-family developments that provide at least 5 percent of the total units in the developments as WHUs shall be entitled to a density bonus of 5 percent over the maximum number of units allowed by the applicable CDMP land use designation... up to a maximum density bonus of 25 percent.
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
Within unincorporated Miami-Dade County (UMSA), Code § 33-193.7.1 lets residential developments trade workforce housing units (WHUs) for extra density. Setting aside at least 5% of units as WHUs earns a 5% density bonus over the maximum units allowed by the applicable CDMP land use designation; each additional percentage point of WHUs adds more bonus density on a sliding table, capping at a 25% density bonus when 10% of units are WHUs. Projects with 20+ units generally build WHUs on-site and go through Administrative Site Plan Review; smaller projects and off-site or in-lieu options have separate rules. The 34 municipalities are not bound by this specific density-bonus schedule: under § 33-193.7 each must adopt its own workforce-housing program (or an exemption/interlocal agreement) addressing the same target income range.
Violations & Fines
Not a violation-based rule: it's an optional incentive. A developer who claims the bonus but fails to actually deliver the promised WHUs (or the required declaration of restrictive covenants) can lose site plan approval and is subject to the article's separate penalties and enforcement provisions under § 33-193.15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this density bonus apply inside the City of Miami or Miami Beach?
How big can the density bonus get?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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