Resolution 2025-33568 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33568
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING AND APPROVING
REVISIONS TO THE SPECIAL EVENTS REQUIREMENTS AND
GUIDELINES; SAID REVISIONS TO (1) EXTEND THE CURRENT TERM
LIMIT ON POP-UP PERMITS FROM NINETY (90) DAYS TO NINE (9) _
MONTHS, WITH THE POSSIBILITY FOR PERMIT HOLDERS TO
FURTHER EXTEND THE TERM TO ONE (1) YEAR, TO INCENTIVIZE
BUSINESSES TO ACTIVATE VACANT STOREFRONTS, (2) ALLOW
POTENTIAL RESTAURANTS AND BARS ON LINCOLN ROAD TO APPLY
FOR POP-UP PERMITS TO ACTIVATE VACANT STOREFRONTS AND (3)
ADD A SUGGESTED $5,000 MINIMUM DONATION TO A PUBLIC
BENEFIT FUND FOR EVENTS OCCUPYING MORE THAN 40,000
SQUARE FEET OF PUBLIC SPACE AND THAT CHOOSE A DONATION
AS A RESIDENT BENEFIT.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach hosts a wide variety of special events that
enrich the community for both visitors and residents; and
WHEREAS, to mitigate the demands made upon City resources and infrastructure,
applicants are required to present proposed special event activities to potentially
impacted neighborhood associations and appropriate City Departments to ensure that
these events are compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the foregoing process allows the City to evaluate and assess the
City's resources, both in terms of personnel and use of public property and rights-of-way,
to ensure that the proposed event does not adversely
impact the public safety, health, and welfare of the community; and
WHEREAS, special events in the City of Miami Beach are also subject to review
and recommendation by the corresponding neighborhood or business association(s)
and/or as part of a monthly Special Events Community Review; and
WHEREAS, the City continues to ensure the Special Event Guidelines, most
recently revised by Resolution No. 2024-33112, reflect new regulations or requirements
stemming from legislative action; and
WHEREAS, the City's Special Events Guidelines include additional permit types,
such as Ceremony/Teambuilding, Brand Promotion/Temporary Sampling and Pop-Up
Permits; and
WHEREAS, currently, Pop-Up Permits are issued for temporary retail spaces, to
promote and sell products of all types, ranging from food and beverage, clothing, or
unique gifts; and
WHEREAS, the Pop-Up permit is valid for a maximum of 90 days of activation;
and
WHEREAS, any activation beyond the 90 days must be pursued through a
Business Tax Receipt ("BTR"); and
WHEREAS, the Pop-Up permit application is reviewed by the Code Compliance
Department to ensure the property does not have open violations and is also reviewed
by the Fire and Building departments to ensure the structural safety of the proposed
location; and
WHEREAS, on May 15, 2024, at the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez,
and co-sponsored by Commissioner Tanya Bhatt, the Mayor and City Commission
referred a discussion item (C4 AG) to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee
("LUSC") to discuss working with property owners with vacant retail commercial spaces
to facilitate Pop-Ups for local cultural institutions and local start-up businesses; and
WHEREAS, on July 9, 2024, the Administration presented to the LUSC members
a history of previous storefront activation initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the presentation included previous challenges faced by the program,
including the number of artists incentivized, the funding for each artist, and the lack of
collaboration by property owners; and
WHEREAS, the Administration further explained that the City's current
Commercial Lease Subsidy program is meant to attract long-term tenants, not necessarily
for pop-up activations; and
WHEREAS, LUSC members directed the Administration to further develop the
proposal for vacant storefronts; and
WHEREAS, on February 20, 2025, the Administration presented to the LUSC
members updated recommendations to address vacant storefronts; and
WHEREAS, following the Administration's presentation, LUSC members voted in
favor of a recommendation to revise the current Pop-Up permit restrictions by amending
the activation limit of 90 days, to a nine-month period; and •
WHEREAS, additionally, Pop-Up permits could be further extended up to a year,
should the applicant show proof of application for a Conditional Use Permit (CU) and a
Business Tax Receipt (BTR); and
WHEREAS, these revisions aim to incentivize businesses to activate currently
vacant storefronts; and
WHEREAS, in addition, the Pop-Up permit guidelines would be amended to allow
restaurants and bars to apply for Pop-Up Permits and activate Lincoln Road-specific
vacant storefronts; and
WHEREAS, all special events on public property require a resident benefit,
defined as a quantitative, tangible benefit to the residents and local community; and
WHEREAS, examples of Resident Benefits may include, but are not limited to:
• Discounted tickets (Miami Beach residents, seniors, youth, military,
veterans, disabled and special needs)
• Special programming or standalone public performance
• Educational and/or cultural component/programming
• Senior benefit or food drive - in partnership with Housing and Community
Services
• Monetary Donations to a City's Public Benefit Fund
• Beach cleanup or dune restoration - monetary equivalent based on footprint
and event impact; and
WHEREAS, to address the impact on the community by large scale events, the
Administration is recommending a suggested minimum donation of$5,000 to a public
benefit fund for events occupying more than 40,000 square feet of public space, should
the event choose that option as a Resident Benefit; and
WHEREAS, the Administration and LUSC recommend that the Mayor and City
Commission accept and approve the revised Special Event Guidelines, which includes
an amendment to the current restriction for Pop-Up Permits from 90 days to nine (9)
months for the Pop-Up permit, amend the Pop-Up permit guidelines to allow restaurants
and bars to apply to activate Lincoln Road-specific vacant storefronts, and add a minimum
suggested donation to a resident benefit fund for events that occupy more than 40,000
square feet of public space and designate that option as a resident benefit.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby accept and approve revisions to the Special Events Requirements
and Guidelines; said revisions to (1)'extend the current term limit on pop-up permits from
ninety(90)days to nine (9) months, with the possibility for permit holders to further extend
the term to one (1) year, to incentivize businesses to activate vacant storefronts, (2) allow
potential restaurants and bars on Lincoln Road to apply for pop-up permits to activate
vacant storefronts and (3) add a suggested $5,000 minimum donation to a public benefit
fund for events occupying more than 40,000 square feet of public space and that choose
a donation as a resident benefit.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this /9 day of , 2025.
ATTEST:
Steven Meiner, Mayor
TV! AR 2 A 2025
APPROVED AS TO
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk FORM & LANGUAGE
& F EXECUTION
3)J )2c Z
Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez City A orney D Date
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K.Bhatt 5 i .
'INCORP GRATED'
fit-.
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Laura Dominguez
Resolutions - C7 N
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager
DATE: March 19, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING AND APPROVING REVISIONS TO THE
SPECIAL EVENTS REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES; SAID REVISIONS TO (1)
EXTEND THE CURRENT TERM LIMIT ON POP-UP PERMITS FROM NINETY (90)
DAYS TO NINE (9) MONTHS, WITH THE POSSIBILITY FOR PERMIT HOLDERS
TO FURTHER EXTEND THE TERM TO ONE (1) YEAR, TO INCENTIVIZE
BUSINESSES TO ACTIVATE VACANT STOREFRONTS, (2) ALLOW POTENTIAL
RESTAURANTS AND BARS ON LINCOLN ROAD TO APPLY FOR POP-UP
PERMITS TO ACTIVATE VACANT STOREFRONTS AND (3) ADD A SUGGESTED
$5,000 MINIMUM DONATION TO A PUBLIC BENEFIT FUND FOR EVENTS
OCCUPYING MORE THAN 40,000 SQUARE FEET OF PUBLIC SPACE AND THAT
CHOOSE A DONATION AS A RESIDENT BENEFIT.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution
amending the Special Event Guidelines, to include an amendment to the current restriction for
Pop-Up Permits from 90 days to nine (9) months, amend the Pop-Up permit guidelines to allow
restaurants and bars to apply to activate Lincoln Road specific vacant storefronts, and add a
$5,000 minimum suggested donation to a resident benefit fund for events that occupy more than
40,000 square feet of public space if the donation option is chosen as the resident benefit.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
The City of Miami Beach hosts a wide variety of special events that enrich the community for
both visitors and residents. To mitigate the ever-increasing demands made upon City resources
and infrastructure, applicants are required to present proposed special event activities to
potentially impacted neighborhood associations and appropriate City Departments to ensure that
these events are compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods. This process assists in
evaluating and assessing the City's resources, both in terms of personnel and use of
public property and rights-of-way, to adequately protect the public safety, health, and welfare of
the community.
Special events in the City of Miami Beach are also subject to review and recommendation by the
corresponding neighborhood or business association(s) and/or as part of a monthly Special
Events Community Review.
ANALYSIS
The City continues to ensure the Special Event Guidelines, most recently revised by Resolution
No. 2024-33112, reflect new regulations or requirements stemming from legislative action.
The following will describe revisions within their respective sections within the Guidelines:
Page 262 of 1157
Pop-Up Permits
There are additional permit types found in the Special Event Guidelines, including
Ceremony/Teambuilding permit, Brand Promotion/Temporary Sampling, and Pop-Up Permits.
Currently, per the Special Event Guidelines, Pop-Up Permits are issued for temporary retail
spaces, to promote and sell products of all types, ranging from food and beverage, clothing, or
unique gifts. The Pop-Up permit is valid for a maximum of 90 days of activation.
Any activation beyond the 90 days must be pursued through a Business Tax Receipt (BTR). The
Pop-Up permit application is reviewed by Code Compliance to ensure the property does not have
open violations, as well as the Fire and Building departments to ensure the structural and life
safety requirements of the proposed location is met.
On May 15, 2024, at the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, and co-sponsored by
Commissioner Tanya Bhatt, the Mayor and City Commission referred a discussion item (C4 AG)
to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee ("LUSC") to discuss working with property owners
with vacant retail commercial spaces to facilitate Pop-Ups for local cultural institutions and local
start-up businesses.
On July 9, 2024, the Administration presented to the LUSC members a history of previous
storefront activation initiatives. The presentation included previous challenges faced by the
program, including the number of artists incentivized, the funding for each artist, and the lack of
collaboration by property owners.
Staff further explained that the City's current Commercial Lease Subsidy program is meant to
attract long-term tenants, not necessarily for pop-up activations. The item was continued to the
January 2025 LUSC with direction to the Administration to further develop the proposal for vacant
storefronts.
In FY 2022, a total of nine (9) Pop-Up Permits were issued. In FY 2023, the number of permits
increased to fifteen (15) and in FY 2024, eleven (11) pop-up permits were issued. Finally, in FY
2025, seven (7) Pop-Up Permits have been issued as of the date of this memo. The locations are
throughout the City, but primarily on Lincoln Road. The activation dates take place throughout the
year.
On February 20, 2025, the Administration presented to the LUSC members updated
recommendations to address vacant storefronts. After discussion, LUSC members voted with a
favorable recommendation to revise the current Pop-Up permit restrictions, and amend the
activation limit of 90 days,to a nine(9)month period.Additionally, Pop-Up permits could be further
extended to a year, should the applicant show proof of application for a Conditional Use Permit
(CU) and a BTR. This change aims to incentivize businesses to activate currently vacant
storefronts. In addition, the Pop-Up permit guidelines would be amended to allow restaurants and
bars to apply for Pop-Up Permits and activate Lincoln Road specific vacant storefronts.
Resident Benefit
All special events on public property require a resident benefit, defined as a quantitative,
tangible benefit to the residents and local community. Examples of Resident Benefits may
include, but is not limited to:
• Discounted tickets (Miami Beach residents, seniors, youth, military, veterans,
disabled and special needs)
• Special programming or standalone public performance
• Educational and/or cultural component/programming
• Senior benefit or food drive - in partnership with Housing and Community Services
• Monetary Donation to a City's Public Benefit Fund
• Beach cleanup or dune restoration - monetary equivalent based on footprint and
impact of event
Page 263 of 1157
To address the impact on the community by large scale events, the Administration is
recommending a suggested minimum donation of$5,000 to a public benefit fund for events
occupying more than 40,000 square feet of public space, should the event choose that option
as a Resident Benefit.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:
See BIE at: https:/lwww.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meetinq-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution
amending the Special Event Guidelines, to include an amendment to the current restriction for
Pop-Up Permits from 90 days to nine (9) months, amend the Pop-Up permit guidelines to allow
restaurants and bars to apply to activate Lincoln Road specific vacant storefronts, and add a
minimum suggested donation to a resident benefit fund for events that occupy more than 40,000
square feet of public space if the donation option is chosen as the resident benefit.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Project?
No No
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
Tourism and Culture
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Co-sponsor(s)
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
Page 264 of 1157
Condensed Title
Approve Amended Special Event Guidelines, Include Revisions to Pop-Up Permits. (AF/TB) TC
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
Page 265 of 1157