Mobility Action Plan and Mobility Fee

New Mobility Action Plan and Mobility Fee implementation effective date April 14th, 2025.

The Mayor and Council of the City of North Miami (“City”) on November 26, 2024, at its regularly scheduled meeting, adopted Ordinance No. 1530, establishing the City of North Miami Mobility Fee. Pursuant to Florida Statutes §163.31801, the City hereby provides this 90-day notice prior to the imposition of the newly adopted mobility fee rate schedule to fund mobility projects needed to address person travel demand for mobility projects attributable to development activity. The new mobility fees shall be imposed upon all new development occurring in the Mobility Fee Assessment Area on any property for which a building permit is applied for on or after April 14, 2025, or 90 days from the date of publication of this ad, whichever is later. The fees shall be collected by the City contemporaneously with the issuance of a building permit. A copy of Ordinance No. 1530 (November 26, 2024) can be obtained here or by requesting a copy from the City Clerk’s Office by calling 305-895-9817. 

Background on Mobility Fees 

In 2007, Florida introduced Mobility Plans and alternative funding strategies to ensure that new developments help offset their impact on transportation systems. In 2013, updates to the Community Planning Act encouraged local governments to adopt these alternative mobility funding systems, as outlined in Florida Statute Section 163.3180. In 2024, the Legislature amended Florida Statute Section 163.3164 to define mobility plans and mobility fees and revised Florida Statute Section 163.3180 to establish mobility fees, based on a mobility plan, as an alternative transportation system, along with affirming the ability of any local government to replace its transportation concurrency with an alternative transportation system, consistent with Florida Statute Sections 163.3180 and 163.31801. 

What is a Mobility Plan? 

A Mobility Plan is a proactive strategy that combines land use planning, mobility action plan projects, parking management, and funding. It aims to provide residents with safe, comfortable, and convenient options for walking, biking, using public transit, driving, or employing new technologies to navigate the city.

Why Does North Miami Need a Mobility Plan? 

North Miami is expected to grow significantly over the next 21 years, with more homes, businesses, and shops. This growth will increase traffic and create a demand for improved transportation options within North Miami and to surrounding areas. In January 2024, the City partnered with NUE Urban Concepts to develop a Mobility Action Plan and Mobility Fee to fund bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and roadway projects. 

The North Miami 2045 Mobility Action Plan aims to enhance connectivity and accessibility throughout the city. By investing in mobility projects, which include multimodal transportation infrastructure, programs, and services, the plan seeks to improve residents' quality of life, enhance traffic flow, and promote sustainable transportation options. It prioritizes pedestrian-friendly streets, bike lanes, and public transit, creating a vibrant urban environment for future generations.

What is a Mobility Fee?

A Mobility Fee is a one-time payment made by development activity (like new homes or businesses) to offset the cost of multimodal projects needed to meet the increased travel demand they create. This fee helps fund multimodal projects included in the Mobility Plan. Unlike traditional transportation impact fees, Mobility Fees provide greater flexibility in funding various projects. They are not taxes on existing properties and only apply to development activity that increases travel demand. Who Pays the Mobility Fee? Any development activity that requires a building permit and increases travel demand will incur a Mobility Fee. This includes additions, changes of use, expansions, or new constructions. However, government entities and public/charter schools are exempt by Florida Statute from paying these fees. 

How are Mobility Fees Calculated? 

Mobility Fees are based on an analysis of projected growth in population, employment, and travel demand. They consider the costs of multimodal projects outlined in the City’s 2045 Mobility Action Plan. The fees are designed to comply with legal standards outlined in case law and Florida Statutes. 

How Will Mobility Plan Projects Be Funded? 

In addition to Mobility Fees, the City can fund multimodal projects through various sources, including federal and state grants and programs. While gas taxes mainly support existing infrastructure, Miami-Dade County voters approved a transportation surtax in 2016 to fund new projects, including public transit enhancements. The City may also explore other funding options, such as special assessments, Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) funds, property taxes, and user fees for shared mobility services. Identifying projects in the Mobility Action Plan allows the City to seek additional funding opportunities. 

How Are Mobility Fees Implemented? 

The implementation of a Mobility Fee involves several steps: 

  1. Planning: Drafting the Mobility Action Plan. 
  2. Ordinance Adoption: The City will adopt an ordinance in November 2024.
  3. Assessment: Ongoing assessment of the Mobility Fee. 
  4. Amendments: Evaluating the need for changes to city plans and codes after adoption. 
  5. Project Programming: Incorporating projects from the Mobility Action Plan into the Capital Improvements Program.

Links for supporting documentation