Miami-Dade County Service Updates

In a continuing effort to manage the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, while protecting the health and safety of our pets and pet owners, Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department has made the following changes to available services and service schedules. Animal Services will continue offering some wellness services to the general public on a shortened schedule and with stringent capacity and safety rules in place.

To allow for timely service and reduce waiting times for the Wellness Clinic, appointments are highly encouraged. You can schedule your appointment online or by calling 311.

Animal Services Hours of Operation

• Pet Adoption and Protection Center
  3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, FL 33122
  Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Closed on Sunday
• Wellness Center
  3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, FL 33122
  Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Closed on Sunday
• Satellite Adoption Center
  Petco
  6200 South Dixie Highway, South Miami
  Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Safety Precautions
The number of clients allowed in the facility at any one time will be strictly controlled. When arriving at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center, customers will be asked to sign in via a waitlist app and may be asked to wait in their vehicles until their turn in the queue. Customers should be prepared to have their temperature checked and must wear a mask at all times while on the facility grounds.

Available Services
The following programs at Animal Services are available with stringent capacity and safety rules in place:

• Adoptions: The adoption mall remains open with cats and dogs who are looking for loving, forever homes. Virtual adoptions are available to those who do not wish to come to the shelter. Visit the Adopt a Pet webpage for more information on how to adopt and to see adoption fees.
• Pet Vaccinations: Pet vaccinations and license renewals are available at the Wellness Clinic. Schedule your appointment online or by calling 311.
• Microchipping: Microchipping services are available at the Wellness Clinic. Schedule your appointment online or by calling 311. 
• Spay/Neuter Surgery: Miami-Dade residents can schedule appointments for spay or neuter surgeries for their pets at Animal Services' Homestead Community Spay and Neuter Clinic at Harris Field Park, 1034 NE 8th Street, Homestead. All public surgeries at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral have been suspended until further notice. To schedule your pet's appointment, call 311 or you can schedule the appointment online.
• Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR): You may bring outdoor free roaming cats to the Surrender Office for TNVR services at both the Doral Pet Adoption and Protection Center and the Homestead Community Spay and Neuter Clinic.
• Citations: Issuance of field citations has resumed, with the exception of rabies/license citations. The issuance of citations related to rabies vaccinations and license renewals remains temporarily suspended. Due dates relating to license renewals remain extended until further notice.
• Citation Disputes: Citation related concerns are being processed exclusively through the 311 Call Center. Please call 311 to update your pet account. In the event the pet is no longer with you, the associated citations will be closed. In-house citation resolution services remain suspended to protect our customers and staff.
• Owner-Requested Euthanasia and Disposal: Owner-requested euthanasia services and deceased animal disposal services remain available for residents.
• Humane Animal Response Team: Animal welfare officers continue to respond to high priority/emergency calls seven days a week such as:
  • Injured or suffering animals
  • Cruelty
  • Requests from police officers for assistance with animals
• Roadside Deceased Animal Pick-Up: Roadside deceased animal pick-up services also continue.
• Foster Program: Foster training is now available online. For information about Kitten Cuddlers, our newborn kitten foster program, email [email protected]. 

Suspended Services

• All public surgeries at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral have been suspended until further notice.
• Animal Services has temporarily suspended the issuance of civil violations notices associated with rabies vaccinations and license renewals. Due dates related to rabies vaccinations and licensing compliance have been extended until further notice.
• Animal Services volunteers are being asked to stay at home until further notice. Volunteers can still help the shelter's pets by fostering a dog or cat at home. Please email [email protected] to schedule a time to pick up a foster pet.
• We continue to ask residents to avoid surrendering pets unless absolutely necessary and ask anyone who finds friendly stray pets to consider fostering them. Visit the Animal Services website for tips on what to do if you find a lost pet.
• All in-person orientation and training sessions for new volunteers are suspended.
• Off-site adoptions events are suspended until further notice.

Senior community centers and adult day cares may reopen so long as safety guidelines are in place.

• Read the Mayor's April 7, 2021 letter to Adult Daycare/Senior Center Providers

• Submit new permit applications and plans or corrections to existing permit applications (Rework)
• Plan Review Services, Appointments, Meetings and List
• Cashier Services and Permit Issuance
• Temporary procedures for building code inspections, including instructions for virtual inspections
• Other permit-related services

• To provide for continuity of our services, the following procedures have been established for the submittal of email correspondence for inquiries, submittal of permit applications and submittal of other documents for DERM review directly to the respective program areas.

• Fire Engineering (Plans Review)
• New Construction
• Existing Buildings / Annual Operating Permits

• Permit Information

• Permit Information

County Courts: Visit the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts for information on service changes or closures due to COVID-19 precautionary measures.

State Courts: Visit the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida for COVID-19 information related to the Florida State courts in Miami-Dade County. 

• Library's Reopening Plan 
• Read the press release

All 50 library locations are providing outdoor walk-up services, Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Patrons can pre-order library materials and pick them up at their preferred branch when the materials are ready.

Library materials may be returned, but patrons have the option hold on to their library materials until further notice. There are no overdue fines and no late fees will be charged.

MDPLS appreciates your generosity, but please refrain from dropping off book donations at libraries at this time.

The online library remains always open and accessible from anywhere. A wealth of digital options are available to patrons for free with their library card, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, movies, music, online learning, tutoring and more.

Those who don't have a library card can apply for an eCard online at ecard.mdpls.org or through the MDPLS mobile app.

If you need assistance with your library card, library account or have any questions, the Miami-Dade Public Library System's Customer Care team is available by email at [email protected] Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. You may also call 305-375-2665 seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Many people rely on access to our to MDPLS Wi-Fi. As an alternative, Xfinity has opened its Wi-Fi public hotspots to everyone for free. Go to the Xfinity website and enter your ZIP Code to find a hotspot near you.

Free Face Masks
Miami-Dade County is providing free face masks at all 50 MDPLS locations. This initiative is aimed at helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19, ensuring that residents in need of masks have easy access to obtain them, and ensursing compliance with Emergency Order 20-20 (HTML | PDF), which requires that all persons in Miami-Dade County wear a mask or other facial covering when in public spaces both indoors and outdoors. The public is reminded that not wearing a mask is now a civil offense punishable with fines of up to $100.

Those who need a face mask can stop by any MDPLS location entrance to request and pick up masks, which will be available for as long as supplies last. Read a complete list of library locations and operating hours or call 305-375-2665.

Drive-Up Wi-Fi
Pull up to a marked Drive-Up Wi-Fi parking spot at participating MDPLS locations to use the library's free Wi-Fi from the comfort and safety of your vehicle.

The Drive-up Wi-Fi program is currently available at the following libraries:

• Allapattah Branch
• Coral Gables Branch
• Coral Reef Branch
• Country Walk Branch
• Edison Center Branch
• Fairlawn Branch
• Golden Glades Branch
• Hialeah Gardens Branch
• International Mall Branch
• Kendale Lakes Branch
• Kendall Branch
• Lemon City Branch
• Miami Beach Regional
• Naranja Branch
• North Shore Branch
• Palm Springs North Branch
• South Miami Branch
• Tamiami Branch
• West Flagler Branch

Assistance Applications and Pet Food Donations
Printed applications for State of Florida food, medical and temporary cash assistance, a collection point for pet food and supplies, and continued provision of printed unemployment benefits applications, is available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week

• Employment Assistance
  Printed copies of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Reemployment Assistance Applications are available at participating library locations. 
• Learn more about employment assistance
• Pet Supply Donations
  MDPLS has also teamed up with the Miami-Dade Animal Services Department (ASD) to collect unopened pet food and unused supplies for pet owners who are having a hard time obtaining the resources they need for their pets. Residents can drop off donations in collection bins available at the 26 library locations. These donations will be distributed to pet owners in need in our community by ASD.
• DCF Forms
  Residents can pick up printed ACCESS Florida applications for the following Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) programs at the 26 library locations currently distributing printed copies of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Reemployment Assistance Applications:
  • Food Assistance (SNAP)
  • Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
  • Temporary Cash Assistance (TANF)

  All applications are available in English, Spanish and Creole. The applications are available at the 26 library locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

  The DCF applications can be returned by mail or fax, or dropped off at a DCF drop-box location or returned to a staff member at any of the 26 participating library locations, where MDPLS will securely transport them to one of the DCF drop-box locations. Instructions and more information can be found on the top page of the application.

• Garages will remain open during advertised business hours
• Gated garages will be open with gates in the "up" position allowing free flow of traffic
• Monthly customers who have paid in advance or are in payroll deduction will be credited. This credit will be applied for the month when fees are reinstated
• Payroll deduction for County employees will stop effective immediately, resuming when collection of fees are reinstated

In person services for Background/Clearance Letters & Copies of police reports can be requested through the Central Records Bureau 311 appointment system.

• Background/Clearance Letters
• Copies of police reports
• Fingerprinting service. 
  Police District Stations are open for fingerprinting

 Police District Station lobbies remain open to assist you and will continue the following functions/services:

• Criminal registrants
• Police reports (that do not conform to online or telephone reporting requirements)

• Seaboard Marine remains open - 305-863-4444
• South Florida Container Terminal - Operational hours vary - 305-347-3800
• Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company – Operational hours vary - 305-533-8100
• The Miami Tunnel will remain open daily from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. - 305-929-0560
• PortMiami is waiving all lay berth fees for home-ported vessels that request to berth alongside the Port through May 31, 2021. Read the news release.

Service adjustments and updates for the Permitting and Inspection Center (PIC)

Get updates on new permitting procedures from the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources.

• Residents may contact the Code Compliance Division to report complaints or inquire on the status of existing enforcement cases. The Code Compliance Division continues to document complaints reported and update cases as necessary. Code Compliance Division staff is meeting with customers over the phone or virtually, and in person at the Permitting and Inspections Center by appointment only. Appointments can be made through the queue system. Customers can contact staff at the following phone numbers and email addresses:
  
  • Lien services: Call 786-315-2777 or email [email protected]
  • Building support (unsafe structures, work without permits, contractor enforcement): Call 786-315-2424 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
  • Neighborhood code compliance: Call 786-315-2552
  • Additional contact information
• For enforcement holds on a process number:
  
  • For unsafe structures, call Spencer Errickson at 786-315-2119 or email [email protected]
  • For unsafe structures and citations, call Jennifer Malcolm at 786-315-2239 or email [email protected] 
  • For citations, call Juan Collao at 786-315-2434 or email [email protected] 

Consumer Protection

• The Office of Consumer Protection is currently open for business with limited hours for walk-in customer daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., but strongly urges customers to avoid visiting the office. Residents may file the following complaints online: consumer, wage theft and services provided by for-hire transportation companies or taxicabs. Complaints can also be filed by emailing documentation to [email protected]. For questions or assistance, call 786-469-2333.
  
  Licensing customers may email any questions to [email protected] or call 786-469-2300 and select option 4. New license applications and renewals continue to be processed. Applicants can submit their applications and supporting documentation through the mail to:
  
  Office of Consumer Protection
  Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources
  601 NW First Court, 18th Floor
  Miami, Florida 33136
  
  -OR-
  
  By visiting the Self-Service Portal to submit an application and pay online. Instructions for how to submit and pay can be found here.

• The Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) is open for business but strongly urges customers to avoid visiting their offices. Cashier services are available at the OTV Building: 701 NW First Ct., 3rd floor. It is best to contact staff at the following: General information: 305-372-6789 or [email protected]; Air Quality Management: 305-372-6925, [email protected] (for asbestos-related matters) or [email protected] (for permitting and compliance activities); Code Coordination and Public Hearings: 305-372-6764; Code Enforcement Section: 305-372-6902; Environmental Monitoring & Restoration: 305-372-6700 or [email protected]; Environmental Plan Review: 305-372-6899 (OTV) ; Natural Resources Section (including Trees, Wetlands, Coastal and Water Control): 305-372-6681 or [email protected]; Pollution Regulation: 305-372-6600; Environmental Permitting Activities: [email protected]; Environmental Complaints (operating 24/7): 305-372-6955 or [email protected]; Storage Tank Inspections: schedule at 305-372-6521 and for questions regarding the requesting of construction inspections email [email protected]; Stormwater Utility Operations: 305-372-6688; Inspections and Complaints (Stormwater & Beaches): 305-372-6529; Water and Wastewater: 305-372-6920; Fats, Oils, and Grease Program: [email protected]; Wastewater Treatment Program: [email protected]; Potable Well Program: [email protected]; Private/Public Sanitary Sewer Program: [email protected]; FOG construction inspections can be scheduled as usual at [email protected]. For more, view their online services.

Planning

The Planning Division is closed for in-person business. For more information, call 305-375-2835 or email [email protected]. Customers may also use the self-service portal.

Zoning

• Guidelines to submit Plat applications and corrections
• Guidelines to submit Paving & Drainage applications and corrections

• Application for Tentative Plat
• Application for Waiver of Plat
• Application for Final Plat *
• Application for Entrance Feature
• Application for Deco Wall
• Corrections to Tentative Plat
• Corrections to Waiver of Plat
• Correction to Deco Wall
• Correction to Municipal Entrance Features
• Extension of Time Relating to Tentative Plat
• Review of Tentative Plat New Owner
• Revision of Tentative Plat
• Revision to Waiver of Plat
• Revision to Deco Wall
• Revision to Municipal Entrance Features
• Paving and drainage plans
• Other submissions

Temporary Shelters

• The occupants of a residential property may use a recreational vehicle (RV) or other habitable vehicle as a temporary shelter during the COVID-19 State of Emergency and only after a Certificate of Use is obtained.
• A special permit must be obtained called a Temporary Certificate of Use (TCU).
• The length of time you can stay in the vehicle is during the State of Emergency.
• The types of vehicles are as follows:
• Recreational Vehicles
• Campers
• Travel Trailer
• Motor Home
• The cost of the TCU is $39.44.
• The vehicle must be located on the property and cannot encroach on the sidewalk, road or neighboring property.

The TCU application procedure to follow:

• Download the Certificate of Use application.
• Email the completed application to [email protected].
• Staff will review the application and contact the applicant when the application has been processed.
• Applicant will pay the TCU fee online.
• Once paid, staff will email the applicant the TCU.
• Applicant must display the TCU in or on the vehicle in a manner that it is visible from the outside of the vehicle.

Read the memo for complete details.

Agricultural Manager

• The Agricultural Manager's office is closed for in-person business. Call 305-971-5091 or email [email protected].

Resilience

• The Office of Resilience is closed for in-person business. Call 786-719-9155 or email [email protected].

• In compliance with Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 20-20, all persons visiting the Department of Solid Waste Management’s Disposal Facilities, Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers and the Home Chemical Collections Centers are required to wear a facial covering or mask. Gloves are recommended but not required. 
• Please ensure all personal hygiene products, used tissues, paper towel, sanitary wipes, face masks, gloves, and similar items are bagged and then disposed of in your green garbage cart. Garbage bags should be tied securely for disposal.
• Curbside waste and recycling collection services are still being provided, as normal. Residents are reminded to place their carts at the curbside no later than 7 a.m. on their regular days of service. Due to a larger number of residents staying at home, waste and recycling collection drivers have noticed more vehicles than usual in front of many homes. Residents are reminded to place their carts at least five feet away from any vehicles, mailboxes, trees or plants, other carts, or other obstacles, so the automated waste collection trucks can safely service carts. Take-out plastic, foam and paper food containers as well as pizza boxes and plastic bags are not acceptable and should not be placed into the recycling cart.
• Mosquito control inspections will continue. Residents who have requested a mosquito inspection of their property are asked to provide access to the inspector and to remain indoors during the inspection.
• DSWM employees are practicing enhanced hygiene and social distancing procedures, such as wearing gloves and other personal protective equipment. Waste collection vehicles and other equipment used in the operation are being sanitized daily.
• Waste Enforcement Officers will limit person-to-person interactions with residents. They will use door hangers, provide callback numbers and/or email when necessary.
• Service requests for waste and recycling cart deliveries, exchanges and repairs continue to be addressed. Cart crews are also practicing enhanced hygiene and social distancing procedures while providing cart services at properties.
• All County disposal facilities, including the Trash and Recycling Centers, regional transfer stations, landfills and the Resources Recovery plant, are open and observing their normal hours of operation, seven days a week.
• The two Home Chemical Collection Centers also remain open and are observing their normal hours of operation, Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Patrons utilizing the Trash and Recycling Centers or Home Chemical Collection Centers must keep their vehicle's windows closed when entering the facilities. Attendants at the facilities are able to scan visitors’ Florida Driver's License or Identification Card through the vehicle's window glass. Patrons of the Home Chemical Collection Centers are asked to remain in their cars and open their trunks or door(s) as necessary for Center staff to remove home chemical items.
• While the Home Chemical Collection Centers remain open for service, the Chem-Again program is suspended until further notice. New or almost-new home chemical items will not be available for pickup at the County’s two Home Chemical Collection sites.

Permits and payments

Permit applicants are encouraged to refrain from visiting the DSWM’s main office and to submit all new and renewal applications for Landscaper, Tire and General Hauler permit applications using one of the following options:

• By email: [email protected]
• By mail to: Department of Solid Waste Management
  Permits Section
  2525 NW 62nd Street Suite 1200
  Miami, FL 33147

For permit-related questions or concerns, email us at [email protected] or leave a voice message at 305-514-6610. Please be advised that there are no staff members present in the Permit Section offices to assist customers, however, blank applications and a drop-box are present in Suite 1200 of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Building (2525 NW 62nd St., Miami, FL 33147) if customers choose to drop off permit-related documents.

Customers that have received a bill for solid waste services (residential and commercial account waste collection fees, bulky waste bills and additional cart service fees) are asked to pay their bills online or send payment through the U.S. Mail to:

• Department of Solid Waste Management
  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Office Plaza
  2525 N.W. 62 Street, 5th Floor
  Miami, Florida 33147
  Attention: Accounting Division, Billing Unit

Permitted Landscapers that need to purchase coupons are asked to order coupons via the U.S. Mail. Coupon orders and payment* should be sent to:

• Department of Solid Waste Management
  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Office Plaza
  2525 N.W. 62 Street, 5th Floor
  Miami, Florida 33147
  Attention: Accounting Division, TRC Coupons

The price of a landscaper coupon is $25.60. *Please include $7.50 for postage and handling.