KeepMBClean

Remember that it is unlawful for any person to throw litter in any manner or amount whatsoever in or on any public highway, sidewalk, road, street, alley, thoroughfare, beach, park, baywalk, beachwalk, cutwalk, sidewalk cafe areas, or any other public place, except in containers or areas lawfully provided. This includes improper disposal in any lakes, rivers, streams, canals, tidal or coastal waters within the city.

The following civil fines shall be imposed for violations of this section except as provided in section below:

• First offense: $50.00 fine.
• Second offense: $100.00 fine.
• Third or subsequent offense: $500.00 fine.

For more information on this code, please visit: Miami Beach Litter Code

Owning a pet is a huge responsibility. Not only do they need to be loved, fed, and walked - but their waste needs to be picked up properly!

Pet waste can take a huge toll on the environment if it is not cleaned up properly. It is the third biggest contributing pollutant that affects our water quality because it contains nitrogen and phosphorous which can deplete oxygen that marine life needs to survive. Pet waste also has high amounts of fecal coliform, a disease-causing bacteria. A single gram of pet waste contains approximately 23 million fecal coliform bacteria which means that a single dog can produce over 7.82 billion fecal coliform bacteria in a single day. Even if you don’t live near a body of water, rain and even irrigation can mix it with stormwater runoff where it can then seep into our soil or drain through the stormwater system.

What is the city doing?

• Installing new pet waste stations and maintaining existing ones
• Regular water quality testing
• Education and outreach

What can you do?

• Pick up after your dog by using the pet waste stations located throughout the neighborhood.
• Spread the word! Let your neighbors know how pet waste can impact quality of life.

Chapter 10 of the City Code requires the removal of animal defecation.

• For a first offense, a $50 fine.
• For a second offense within the preceding 12 months, a $100 fine.
• For each additional offense within the preceding 12 months, a $200 fine

With 7 miles of beach and 63 miles of seawalls, Miami Beach residents and visitors know how important it is to maintain the health of the bodies of water that surround us. In addition to making our city look gorgeous in pictures, our waters provide food, wildlife habitats, as well as recreational and tourism opportunities.

Water is the most abundant substance on the planet and essential to every living being. It is no surprise that our water quality can greatly impact our individual health and the health of our ecosystems. This is why it is important to protect the health of our beaches and bay.

Learn more about what you can do to protect our bays: Biscayne Bay

Learn more about what you can do to protect our beaches: Beaches

#PlasticFreeMB is a voluntary program focused on showcasing businesses that have taken action to reduce plastics from their establishments and helping organizations learn and implement best practices in the area of environmental stewardship. For more information about #PlasticFreeMB and to join the program, click here.