Miami21 Zoning Code Public Benefits Program

bonus stories through cash contributions to eligible public programs or through local neighborhood enhancements. The cash contributions paid by developers are collected for the Public Benefits Program and placed into the Public Benefits Trust Fund (Sec. 62.641) for use of Affordable Housing, Parks and open spaces and Green Building. 

Why does this program matter? 

The Public Benefits Program helps ensure that there is a balance between development flexibility and community benefits. This way communities receive affordable housing options, parks and public spaces can be improved, buildings can be made more sustainably, and neighborhoods have improved walkability and public transit options. 

What transect zones allow these bonuses? 

Bonuses are only allowed in specific areas of the city and within specific transect zones: 

• T5* Transect Zones - Bonus Height 
• T6* Transect Zones - Bonus Height and Floor Area 
• D1* Transect Zones - Bonus Height 

*More information can be found in Miami21 Zoning Code, Section 3.14.

What kind of benefits will be provided? 

The benefits are calibrated depending on what transect zones the project(s) is in. 

• Affordable & Workforce Housing. Developers can earn bonuses by providing affordable or workforce housing on-site or off-site. Also serving households earning 80-100% of the Area Median Income (AMI). 
• Public Parks and Open Spaces. Developers may create new public parks or plazas, as well as improving existing neighborhood parks. 
• Pedestrian, Transit and Mobility Improvements. These bonuses can be earned by improving how people move around, such as sidewalks, bike paths and bike parking. 
• Green Buildings. Project can earn extra height and floor area by building environmentally certified buildings, such as LEED and Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) certification. 
• Brownfield Redevelopment. Projects that clean up and reuse contaminated sites (brownfields) may receive one additional story of building height. 
• Civic Space Donations. In some zones, developers can donate civic spaces or support facilities to the city. 
• Monetary Contributions. Instead of building improvements, developers may choose to make a monetary contribution to the Public Benefits Trust Fund. The city can then use these funds for improvements. 

How are the monetary contributions calculated? 

• Fees are based on the current market value per square foot. View a detailed map of the current market rates on the Development Fees Market Area(PDF, 3MB) document. 
• Currently, there is an initiative to review these market rate fees. To learn more, you can visit the Initiative to Update Miami 21 Public Benefits Program Market Rate Fees page.