Miami Beach City Commission Waives Permit Fees for EV Charging Stations

(Miami Beach, FL) Mar 17, 2021 -

Hoping to make the city a bit greener for future generations, the Miami Beach City Commission voted unanimously on St. Patrick’s Day to temporarily waive fees for new electric vehicle charging stations.

“More than most cities, we have a responsibility to care for our environment,” said Mayor Dan Gelber. “This is a great step as part of our ongoing efforts to improve resilience and incentivize practices like the use of zero-emission vehicles.”

The measure, which was approved on second reading, waives permit fees for electric vehicle charging stations erected on private property. The waiver will be in effect until March 31, 2023.

“It is fitting that we take steps to make Miami Beach a bit greener on St. Patrick’s Day — the greenest of holidays,” quipped Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian, who sponsored the ordinance that underwent its first public reading on Feb. 10. “This calls for a celebratory environmental jig.”

In 2016, the Miami Beach City Commission adopted the Electric Vehicle Parking Ordinance, which requires all new construction to provide the electrical infrastructure for at least 2% of required off-street parking spaces to be designated level 2 EV parking.

The City also installed 13 charging stations in municipal garages through agreements with Blink and Tesla while the Miami Beach Convention Center installed an additional 30 charging stations.

“I hope Miami Beach property owners will take advantage of the fee waiver to install many more charging stations than we have now,” observed Miami Beach Commissioner Micky Steinberg, who co-sponsored the ordinance.

“This is a great reason for Miami Beach residents to make the switch to electric vehicles,” added Steinberg, who also championed the Electric Vehicle Parking Ordinance and the installation of charging stations in public spaces.

Vice Mayor Michael Gongora, who co-sponsored the temporary waiver, agreed that the measure can’t help but boost interest in electric vehicles.

“If there was a charging station outside everyone’s home, I don’t think our residents would mind driving past their neighborhood gas station to fill up at home,” Gongora said.