The purpose of the Miami-Dade County dry cleaning and laundering ordinance is to provide consumer protection, satisfaction and confidence when engaging the services of a cleaner.  It requires timely claims and cleaner responses, prohibits gender price discrimination and creates private cause of action for violations.

Filing Claims
Customers have up to thirty (30) days after receiving their garments to notify a cleaner in writing of any claim for loss, damage or delay resulting from the cleaner's performance.

Each claim filed against a cleaner shall be promptly and thoroughly investigated by the cleaner. If the claim cannot be satisfied in fifteen (15) days, the cleaner shall advise the claimant of the status of the claim and the reason for the delay. A cleaner shall object to or satisfy a customer's claim no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the claim.

Rules Against Gender Price Discrimination
A cleaner may not charge a customer a different price for service based on the customer's gender.  However, a business is permitted to charge a different price if the goods or services involve more time, difficulty or cost.

Price Signs
Dry cleaning businesses in Miami-Dade are required to post their prices where customers can easily see them.  It is unlawful for the cleaner to charge a price that exceeds the applicable price on the sign, unless special handling of the clothing or fabric is necessary.  If special handling is necessary, then the cleaner is required to explain to the customer the reason for the difference in price and provide the total amount.  Cleaning provided by means of a pick-up and drop-off delivery service is exempt from these price-posting requirements.

Cleaners who fail to post or maintain the price sign, or charge the customer more than the maximum price stated, may be fined $200.

Frequently Asked Questions

Taking Private Action
Any person who suffers a loss as a result of a violation of any provision of this article may, in addition to any other available remedy, recover compensatory damages, attorney's fees and court costs from the person committing the violation.

If a cleaner is proven to have violated any provisions of the ordinance willfully and in bad faith, the customer is entitled to or a minimum of $200 or three times the actual damages sustained.

Code Enforcement
The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department has remedies available to enforce the provisions of the ordinance.  Among them is the right to institute a civil action in court to seek temporary or permanent, prohibitory or mandatory injunctive relief to enforce compliance with or prohibit the violation of any of the provisions of this article.  The director of the department may also institute a civil action in court to impose and recover a civil penalty in an amount of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation of any of the provisions of this ordinance.

For more information or to file a complaint, contact the Consumer Mediation Center at (305) 375-3677, or consumer@miamidade.gov.