Crystal Proenza is associate editor of Real Estate Florida.

MIAMI-On the heels of two fatal crane accidents in New York City and Miami in the last few weeks, real estate professionals throughout Florida, and possibly the nation, are paying close attention to the recently passed Miami-Dade County controversial crane ordinance that goes into effect today, March 28.

The commercial real estate industry will surely be affected by the certification and inspection ordinance that is the only crane regulation giving city officials the power to consider tower cranes and personnel hoists as "permanent" structures. Several cities, including New York City and Los Angeles, have ordinances that consider cranes as temporary structures, not permanent.

As permanent structures, cranes are now subject to the same standards as high-rise buildings despite the fact that they would be removed from a construction site after a project is completed.