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Consistent with last year’s spring break, Miami Beach will once again impose tough measures in March to reinforce the message that the city is not interested in being a spring break party destination. Disorderly crowds, lawless behavior and violence will not be tolerated. Planned high-impact measures include South Beach parking garage and lot closures, restricted beach access, DUI and security checkpoints, potential curfews as well as heightened multi-jurisdictional law enforcement presence.
“Thanks to forward-thinking legislation, a robust police presence, and strong partnerships with state and county law enforcement, we set a new standard for spring break in Miami Beach last year. Our city became a place where residents, businesses, and visitors could truly thrive,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “This year, we’re building on that success, ensuring Miami Beach remains a welcoming destination where people can enjoy our world-class beaches, restaurants, and community in a safe family-friendly atmosphere.”
More details on the city’s spring break plan will be released by the mayor, Miami Beach City Commission, City Manager and senior members of the city administration at a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. The press conference will take place at Miami Beach Police Headquarters, 1100 Washington Ave.
“We are fully prepared to ensure our city is safe for everyone with hundreds of additional officers coming from law enforcement organizations throughout the county and state to augment our local capabilities,” added Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones. “We will be employing license plate readers, drones, video technology and are planning increased enforcement against the illegal consumption of alcohol in public as well as the possession of illegal drugs.”
The entire month of March 2025 has been designated as a high-impact period in Miami Beach, resulting in additional measures with respect to traffic, staffing and public safety.
The periods between March 13-16 and March 20-23 are expected to generate the largest spring break crowds this year. As such, more stringent measures will be implemented during these two weekends, including:
- Parking garages and surface lots south of 23 Street will be closed, including the garages at 7 Street and Collins Avenue (G1), 12 Street and Washington Avenue (G2), 13 Street and Collins Avenue (G3),16 Street between Collins and Washington avenues (G4), 17 Street and Convention Center Drive (G5), 18 Street and Meridian Avenue (G7), Lincoln Lane North and Pennsylvania Avenue (G9) and 23 Street and Park Avenue (G12).
- A $100 flat fee parking rate will be in effect for visitors at the Sunset Harbour Garage on 19 Street and Bay Road (G10) and the 42 Street garage between Royal Palm and Sheridan avenues (G6).
Parking garage and surface lot closures as well as flat-fee parking rates do not apply to Miami Beach residents, access card holders, permit holders or Miami Beach employees. For regular rates to apply, proof of Miami Beach residency or employment (pay stub, letter, ID card, etc.) will be required upon entry.
- Sidewalk seating on Ocean Drive will be closed on March 14-16 and March 21-23.
- The Miami Beach Police Department will implement a License Plate Reader (LPR) detail on the eastbound lanes of the MacArthur Causeway on March 14-16, March 21-23 starting at 8 p.m. (with set up at 7 p.m.) and on the eastbound lanes of the Julia Tuttle Causeway on March 14-16, March 21-23 starting at 9 p.m. (with set up at 8 p.m.). Motorists should expect significant traffic impacts and delays as eastbound travel lanes will be reduced on the MacArthur and Julia Tuttle causeways. MBPD will also have an LPR detail along the 5 Street corridor on March 7-9 starting at 7 p.m. (with set up commencing at 6 p.m.).
License Plate Readers have historically been instrumental in the identification of serious and violent offenders as well as the recovery of stolen vehicles.
- A DUI sobriety checkpoint will be in place along the 400 block of 5 Street starting at 7 p.m. (with set up commencing at 6 p.m.) over March 14-15 and March 21-22.
- Businesses renting or leasing golf carts, low-speed vehicles, autocycles (i.e. slingshots), motorized scooters, mopeds, motorcycles powered by motors of 50 cubic centimeters or less and motorized bicycles will be suspended from operating on March 13-16 and March 20-23.
- Ocean Drive will only be accessible to vehicles from the most northern available street with a sole exit at 5 Street on March 6-9, March 13-16 and March 20-23. Barricades will line the west side of Ocean Drive to reduce the potential of pedestrians coming into contact with motor vehicles.
- The nonresident towing rate will be $516 — double the regular rate — for vehicles towed in South Beach.
- Beach entrances on Ocean Drive will be limited to 5, 10 and 12 streets and will have security checkpoints to ensure prohibited items are not brought onto the beach. These entrances will close at 6 p.m. Coolers, inflatable devices, tents, tables and similar objects are not permitted on the beach. Amplified music without a city-issued permit will be restricted. As a reminder, alcohol and smoking are always prohibited on city beaches.
- Packaged liquor stores in the Entertainment District will strictly adhere to the 8 p.m. regular closing time.
- The Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) will implement a traffic plan beginning at 6 p.m. each Thursday through Sunday to reduce traffic impacts around the South of Fifth (SoFi), West Avenue and Flamingo Park neighborhoods. Motorists can access the SoFi neighborhood via Alton Road, Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue. The Flamingo Park neighborhood can only be accessed via Alton Road. Local access restrictions will be enforced on some city streets to limit traffic and improve mobility for residents and business patrons.
Every Thursday through Sunday on the first (Feb. 27- March 2), second (March 6-9) and fifth (March 27-30) weekends in March, the following high-impact measures will be in place:
- A flat parking rate of $30 will be in effect at city parking garages and surface lots in South Beach, including the garages at 7 Street and Collins Avenue (G1), 12 Street and Washington Avenue (G2), 13 Street and Collins Avenue (G3),16 Street between Collins and Washington avenues (G4), 17 Street and Convention Center Drive (G5), 42 Street garage between Royal Palm and Sheridan avenues (G6),18 Street and Meridian Avenue (G7), Lincoln Lane North and Pennsylvania Avenue (G9), 19 Street and Bay Road (G10), and 23 Street and Park Avenue (G12) — with entry to garages closing at 6 p.m. to all visitors.
The flat parking rate and 6 p.m. entrance restriction does not apply to Miami Beach residents, access card holders or authorized Miami Beach employees. For regular rates to apply, proof of Miami Beach residency or employment (pay stub, letter, ID card, etc.) will be required upon entry.
- The nonresident towing rate will be $516 — double the regular rate — for vehicles towed in South Beach.
- Beach entrances on Ocean Drive will be limited to 5, 10 and 12 streets and will have security checkpoints to ensure prohibited items are not brought onto the beach. These entrances will close at 6 p.m. Coolers, inflatable devices, tents, tables and similar objects are not permitted on the beach. Amplified music without a city-issued permit will be restricted. As a reminder, alcohol and smoking are always prohibited on city beaches.
- Packaged liquor stores in the Entertainment District will strictly adhere to the 8 p.m. regular closing time.
- The Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) will implement a traffic plan beginning at 6 p.m. each Thursday through Sunday to reduce traffic impacts around the South of Fifth (SoFi), West Avenue and Flamingo Park neighborhoods. Motorists can access the SoFi neighborhood via Alton Road, Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue. The Flamingo Park neighborhood can only be accessed via Alton Road. Local access restrictions will be enforced on some city streets to limit traffic and improve mobility for residents and business patrons.
MBPD is also prepared to implement special event zones, as outlined in section 316.1891 of Florida’s Statutes, provided certain criteria are met. These designated zones target unpermitted temporary activities or events drawing 50 or more attendees, which pose disruptions to normal traffic flow. Within these zones, the city holds the authority to impose doubled fines for traffic infractions and has the option to impound vehicles for violations. Furthermore, law enforcement retains the ability to temporarily enforce occupancy limits within special event zones, with associated costs potentially recoverable from event promoters or organizers.
On-Street Parking
The city will conduct enhanced parking enforcement and increased towing throughout the month of March — with priority attention given to residential areas.
Parking will not be allowed on Collins Avenue from 5 Street to Española Way and Washington Avenue from 5-16 streets starting at 5 a.m. on March 6-10, March 13-17 and March 20-24.
Parking along the 100 blocks of 6-15 streets will be restricted 24 hours per day on March 6-10, March 13-17 and March 20-24. Residential Zone 5 parking permit holders are exempt from these restrictions, unless noted otherwise on signs.
Parking along the 200 blocks of 6 Street through Española Way will be restricted 24 hours per day on March 6-9, March 13-16 and March 20-23. Residential Zone 5 parking permit holders are exempt from these restrictions unless noted otherwise on signs.
Staffing
Staffing levels for Miami Beach Police, Fire Rescue, Ocean Rescue, Code Compliance, Park Rangers, Parking and Sanitation will be significantly enhanced throughout the month of March.
MBPD will be supplemented by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and other municipal law enforcement agencies.
The Miami Beach Fire Department will have augmented staffing, including Fire Inspectors who will be conducting nightly, weekend inspections for occupancy loads and life safety systems at nightclubs and other establishments.
Goodwill Ambassadors wearing pink “Take Care of Our City” T-shirts will be deployed throughout the Entertainment District to answer visitor questions, provide directions and give tips on how to enjoy the city.
Miami Beach Trolley Service
The Miami Beach free citywide trolley service will operate on an enhanced schedule during three of the highest-impact periods, with two additional vehicles operating on the South Beach Loops as well as two additional vehicles assigned to the Collins Express Trolley. The enhanced trolley service will operate from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. on March 6-9, March 13-16 and March 20-23.
Spring Break ‘Reality Check’
The city is giving spring breakers a dose of reality with the launch of a new public service announcement, reminding visitors that laws will be enforced. Meant to be a parody of reality TV, the video features a group arriving in Miami Beach expecting a raucous, anything-goes party — only to find their plans have been stymied by the safety measures.
View this year’s PSA here.
For additional information, visit www.mbrealitycheck.com.
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