Sanitary Nuisances

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) investigates complaints regarding nuisances as defined in Florida Statute 386.041. A nuisance injurious to health is generally defined as:

• Untreated or improperly treated human waste, garbage, offal, dead animals, or dangerous waste materials from manufacturing processes, air pollutants, gasses, and noisome odors which are harmful to human or animal life.
• Improperly built or maintained septic tanks, water closets, or privies.
• Keeping diseased animals dangerous to human health.
• Unclean or filthy places where animals are slaughtered.
• Any condition capable of breeding flies, mosquitoes, or other arthropods capable of transmitting diseases to humans.
• Any act or condition which may cause disease.

Complaints that are within our jurisdiction when brought to the attention of DOH-Miami-Dade are recorded and investigated. When the complaint involves a sanitary nuisance or a potential health hazard to the public, follow-up action is carried out.