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The Miami-Dade County Commission on July 1 unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Commissioner Eileen Higgins (District 5) that will dramatically streamline the permitting process for seawalls and bulkheads, while encouraging environmentally innovative designs to address the impacts of climate change and rising seas.
The ordinance delivers long-overdue updates to the county’s permitting code, cutting through bureaucratic delays and creating opportunities for smarter, more resilient infrastructure along canals and coastlines.
“With sea levels rising and more powerful storm surges threatening our shoreline, it is critical that we make it easier and faster for homeowners to build or repair protective seawalls. Miami-Dade’s permitting process has historically taken 18 months to two years — a delay we simply can’t afford in the face of accelerating climate impacts,” Commissioner Higgins said.
“New 3D-printed concrete technologies allow us to build seawalls that don’t just protect homes, but also create vibrant habitats for marine life. The code has been modernized to support these innovations, so our seawalls can strengthen communities and ecosystems at the same time,” Commissioner Higgins added.
Updated comprehensively for the first time in decades, the new ordinance includes major reforms to speed up permitting timelines, reduce red tape, and foster more ecologically advanced seawall solutions:
• Expedited permit timelines: Most seawall and bulkhead permits must now be reviewed and issued within 90 days, a dramatic improvement over the current wait times of up to two years.
• Expanded use of administrative approvals: More projects will now qualify for short-form permits, recognizing the urgency of faster approvals to support climate adaptation efforts.
• Incentives for ecological alternatives: Nature-based solutions, such as 3D-printed marine habitat tiles, provided they meet environmental standards for wave absorption and habitat creation.
Last year, Commissioner Higgins convened a stakeholder roundtable to ensure the legislation reflected the needs of everyone involved in seawall construction and permitting.
Participants included representatives from Miami-Dade County’s Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources Division of Environmental Management (RER-DERM), cities of Coral Gables and Miami Beach, leading seawall contractors, permitting experts, environmental organizations, and local startup Kind Designs, a pioneer in 3D-printed eco-seawalls.
“This legislation is a game-changer,” said Anya Freeman, CEO of Kind Designs. “It opens the door for Miami-Dade to lead the nation in resilient and environmentally intelligent coastal infrastructure. We’re proud to have helped shape this policy and thrilled to see our community embrace innovation.”
The ordinance received broad support from Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, City of Miami Beach (which passed a unanimous resolution in favor), Builders Association of South Florida, major contractors, and residents impacted by seawall permitting delays.
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