Government, Public & Defense · Miami
Miami-Dade County Government
Delivering Excellent Public Services and Building a Resilient Community
- Service area
- Miami-Dade County, Florida — including incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas
- Location
- Miami
- Languages
- English · Spanish · Haitian Creole
Story
Structure of Government
Miami-Dade County operates under the Constitution of Florida, state law, and its own Home Rule Charter. Since 1957, the county has used a two-tier system of government: the county itself, and 34 incorporated municipalities, each with its own local government responsible for city-level services such as police and zoning.
Unincorporated Areas
A large part of the county lies outside any municipality. As of 2017, roughly 44% of the county's 2,751,796 residents lived in these unincorporated areas, most of which are heavily urbanized. They form the Unincorporated Municipal Services Area (UMSA). Here the county serves as both the local and the regional government, with the County Commission acting as the municipal representative body for UMSA residents.
UMSA residents pay a dedicated UMSA tax, comparable to a city tax, which funds city-type services including police, fire, zoning, and water and sewer. Residents of incorporated municipalities do not pay this tax.
Independent Elected Offices
Following a 2018 amendment to the Florida Constitution, four county positions became independent elected offices: tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and sheriff.
Products & services
Key County Services & Operations
Permits, Building & Zoning (RER)
- Commercial & Residential Building Permits and Inspections
- Zoning Approvals & Land Use Regulation
- Local Business Tax Receipts (Business Licenses)
- Environmental Permitting & Resource Management (DERM)
Water, Waste & Infrastructure
- Water & Sewer Utility Services (WASD)
- Residential Garbage, Bulk Waste & Recycling Collection
- Water Quality & Environmental Protection Programs
Transportation & Transit (DTPW & Regional Hubs)
- Public Transit Systems (Metrorail, Metrobus, Metromover)
- Roadway Maintenance, Traffic Signals & Engineering
- Airport & Seaport Infrastructure Management (MIA & PortMiami)
Emergency Services & Disaster Management
- Fire Rescue, Hazmat & Emergency Medical Services (MDFR)
- Countywide Emergency Management & Hurricane Preparedness
Community, Housing & Healthcare
- Affordable Housing Programs & Rental Assistance
- Family & Senior Community Support Services
- Public Healthcare Operations via Public Health Trust (Jackson Health System)
Parks, Public Assets & Animal Services
- Management of Regional Parks, Beaches, Marinas & Public Golf Courses
- Public Library System Operations (MDPLS)
- Pet Licensing, Adoption Services & Animal Control
Independent Constitutional Offices Serving Miami-Dade County
Countywide Law Enforcement & Public Safety
- Patrol, Investigations & Court Security — Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office
Property Assessment, Tax Collection & Official Records
- Property Valuations & Homestead Exemptions — Office of the Property Appraiser
- Real Estate & Tangible Personal Property Tax Collection — Office of the Tax Collector
- Court Records & Filings, Marriage Licenses & Comptroller Functions — Clerk of the Court & Comptroller
Elections & Voter Services
- Voter Registration, Vote-by-Mail & Precinct Administration — Office of the Supervisor of Elections
Location
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, FL, 33128
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