West Miami OKs first reading to allow manager to waive dog ban in parks for events

The City Commission of West Miami voted unanimously on Oct. 1 to advance on first reading an ordinance that would permit the city manager to waive the city's general prohibition on dogs in public parks for specific events. The item was approved 4-0; the second reading and public hearing will be held Nov. 5.

Why it matters: The change gives the city administrative flexibility to allow dogs at special events such as the farmers market while preserving the underlying prohibition on dogs in parks. Commissioners said the code's existing language may not contemplate modern features such as dedicated dog parks, and they asked staff to address that before final adoption.

Details: The ordinance authorizes the city manager to waive the ban on dogs in public parks for specific events. During discussion the mayor and commissioners requested that the ordinance or accompanying language be clarified for parks specifically designed for dogs, so the manager's exception authority would not be used to create a permanent, citywide exception inadvertently.

Action and next steps: The item passed first reading by roll call. Commissioners asked staff to prepare language to explicitly except purpose-built dog parks or otherwise clarify the scope of the manager's waiver for the second reading on Nov. 5.