Brownfields

A brownfield area is a contiguous area of one or more brownfield sites, some of which may not be contaminated, and which has been designated by a local government by resolution.

A brownfield site is any real property where the expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination. While these properties have an enormous potential for economic development, they may fail to attract the private market because of the perceived liability associated with brownfield sites and the potential cost involved in the cleanup.  

Entering into a Brownfield Site Rehabilitation Agreement with Miami-Dade County, delegated the authority to administer the Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program on behalf of the State of Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), provides eligibility for benefits and incentives for site cleanup, including a Voluntary Cleanup Tax Credit, a tax refund on new jobs created for certain eligible businesses, cleanup liability protections, and application of Risk-Based Corrective Action principles to site rehabilitation using Chapters 62-777 and 62-780, Florida Administrative Code. 

To negotiate a Brownfield Site Rehabilitation Agreement with Miami-Dade County the site must be located in a designated Brownfield Area. Brownfield areas designated by Miami-Dade County include all of the unincorporated areas within the Urban Development Boundary of the Enterprise Zones, Enterprise Communities, Empowerment Zones, Targeted Urban Areas and areas eligible for Community Development Block Grant funds, in addition to individual-requested brownfield areas.  Municipalities in Miami-Dade that have designated brownfield areas include the City of Miami, City of Opa-Locka, City of Miami Beach, City of Hialeah, City of Homestead, Town of Medley, City of Miami Gardens, City of North Miami, City of South Miami, City of Doral and the Village of El Portal.

Individuals and local governments may designate brownfield areas in accordance with the requirements of Section 376.80, Florida Statutes.

Brownfield areas and contaminated properties

• Search for Brownfield Areas and contaminated sites using the Environmental Considerations GIS Tool
• FDEP Brownfields GeoViewer

Applications and forms

• Submit an application for Brownfield Area Designation for a property in unincorporated Miami-Dade County
• Download the Miami-Dade County Model Brownfield Site Rehabilitation Agreement

Brownfields program incentives

• Visit the State of Florida's Brownfields Program website

Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus Refund 

• Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus Tax Refund attachment to the general project overview

Additional Resources

• 2023 Miami-Dade County Brownfields Program Annual Report

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