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ORDINANCE RELATING TO PASSENGER MOTOR CARRIER VEHICLES; AMENDING SECTIONS 31-102 AND 31-107 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; REVISING VEHICLE AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN PASSENGER MOTOR CARRIER VEHICLES; AMENDING DEFINITIONS; MAKING TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING CHANGES; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

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WHEREAS, the County regulates and sets the standards for passenger motor carrier vehicles (PMCs) operating in Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, section 31-107(b) of the Code of Miami-Dade County (the �Code�) sets a maximum vehicle age of 10 model years for PMCs, generally, and 15 model years for PMCs providing circulator service or fixed route service; and
WHEREAS, many municipalities in the County use PMC vehicles to provide circulator or fixed route services through an interlocal agreement with the County pursuant to section 31-102 of the Code; and
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2026, the City of Coral Gables (the �City�) adopted City Resolution No. 2026-76, urging the County to amend section 31-107 of the Code to allow PMC vehicles that provide circulator or fixed route services to operate for up to 20 model years of age or 350,000 miles of usage, whichever comes first; and
WHEREAS, the Board finds it to be in the best interest of the County to amend section 31-107 of the Code to allow PMC vehicles that provide circulator or fixed route services to operate for up to 20 model years of age or 350,000 miles of usage, whichever comes first,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Section 31-102 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, is hereby amended to read as follows:1
Sec. 31-102. - Definitions.

For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply:

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(l) DTPW�>>or the �Department�<< means the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works>>, or its predecessor<< or successor department >>responsible for regulating Chapter 31 of the Code.<<

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Section 2. Section 31-107 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 31-107. -Vehicle standards.

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(b) Vehicle age limits and inspection schedules. Vehicle age limits and frequency of for-hire vehicle inspections are as stated in this subsection; provided, however, that the DTPW may inspect a for-hire vehicle at any time. [[All motor vehicles currently in service as of the effective date of this ordinance shall be permitted to remain in service until the motor vehicle reaches its fifteenth model year. Said motor vehicles must continue to pass inspection and meet all applicable vehicle standards. Any vehicle initially placed into service following the effective date of this ordinance shall be no greater than 10 model years of age.]] Any vehicle over 10 model years of age shall not be operated as a passenger motor carrier vehicle. Notwithstanding the foregoing, >>a<>vehicle used to provide<< circulator service or fixed route service [[shall meet the following vehicle age requirements: any vehicle over 15 model years of age providing circulator service or fixed route service shall neither be placed into service nor operate as a passenger motor carrier vehicle.]] >>may be operated until such vehicle reaches the earlier of 20 model years of age or 350,000 miles of usage, provided that such vehicle remains in compliance with all applicable County inspection requirements and vehicle standards.<< Passenger motor carrier vehicles shall be inspected annually.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Department and any other person authorized to enforce this article pursuant to Section 31-110 may inspect a passenger motor carrier vehicle at any time to confirm compliance with this section. Upon notification by the Department, the passenger motor carrier certificate holder shall suspend the authorization of any driver whose vehicle fails an inspection until the driver demonstrates that his or her vehicle has passed an inspection pursuant to this article.

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Section 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or provision of this ordinance is held invalid, the remainder of this ordinance shall not be affected by such invalidity.
Section 4. It is the intention of the Board of County Commissioners, and it is hereby ordained that the provisions of this ordinance, including any sunset provision, shall become and be made a part of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intention, and the word "ordinance" may be changed to "section," "article," or other appropriate word.
Section 5. This ordinance shall become effective ten (10) days after the date of enactment unless vetoed by the Mayor, and if vetoed, shall become effective only upon an override by this Board.
1 Words stricken through and/or [[double bracketed]] shall be deleted. Words underscored and/or >>double arrowed<< constitute the amendment proposed. Remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged.