HomeMy WebLinkAboutLarge Miami Beach Parties Now Require Event Permits
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel: 305.673.7575 Press Release
Melissa Berthier, Email: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
Linda-Lee Stevens, Email: lindastevens@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2025
Large Miami Beach Parties Will Soon Require Event Permits
— The new requirement applies to residential events or parties with more than 100 guests
during 5 peak times —
Miami Beach, FL – Attempting to minimize traffic congestion and noise disturbances, the City
of Miami Beach will begin requiring visitors and residents to obtain a special event permit
before holding parties in residential neighborhoods during five peak times of the year in which
more than 100 attendees “may reasonably be expected to attend” as well as in some other
circumstances.
“This is a fundamental quality-of-life issue for our residents,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven
Meiner of the measure that was approved recently on second reading by the City Commission.
The ordinance will take effect on March 29. “Our residents and first responders have voiced
serious concerns about these events, and this new law will help put an end to loud parties and
related traffic.”
A qualifying special event is defined as any "nonrecurring special occasion or activity which is
temporary in nature and has extraordinary or excessive impacts on public health, safety and
welfare." The permit requirement also applies to parties or gatherings in which fireworks will be
used, in the case of events in which 50 or more vehicles are expected (including vehicles that
pick up or drop off passengers and vehicles that park at the event) as well as any events that
use institutional or commercial speakers, lighting or generators and any event with
institutional/commercial grade bars that are large enough to accommodate more than one
bartender behind each bar or that have three or more one-person bars.
Permit costs vary based on the nature, scope and expected attendance at each event. Click
here for more information or to apply.
“Our residents have overwhelmingly supported this ordinance because they’re fed up with
inconsiderate neighbors turning homes on peaceful streets into chaotic nightclubs,” said Miami
Beach Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez, who sponsored the measure. “No one should have
to endure gridlocked streets, booming bass at 2 a.m., or the terrifying risk that emergency
responders can’t get through because of a private party spiraling out of control. This ordinance
draws a clear and necessary line to protect the safety and peace of our neighborhoods.”
Applications for special event permits must be submitted at least 90 days ahead of the party or
event. Qualifying parties or events will require a Special Event Permit during the following five
periods of the year — Feb. 1 to March 31 (Super Bowl and spring break), May 1-31 (Formula 1
Race Week and Memorial Day), June 25 to July 15 (Independence Day), Oct. 15 to Nov. 10
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community.
(Halloween) and Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 (Latin Grammys, Art Week Miami Beach and the winter
holiday season).
Property owners who fail to obtain a permit prior to holding their event will face a 13-month
waiting period before they are eligible to apply for a special event permit for a future party.
Violations carry a $1,000 fine per day for the initial violation and $5,000 per day for a second or
subsequent violation. Moreover, violators face a $15,000 fine for any offense that is determined
by a special magistrate to be “irreparable or irreversible in nature.” Such a determination will be
made in the case of unpermitted parties or events that are already underway or that have
occurred in the past.
The city conducted a pilot test of similar requirements during last year’s Art Week Miami
Beach. The pilot withstood a federal challenge in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
Florida (Hochstein v. City of Miami Beach).
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