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The entire month of March 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 12-15 and March 19-22 are expected to generate the largest spring break crowds this year. As such, more stringent measures will be implemented during these two weekends, including:

• The Miami Beach Police Department will implement a License Plate Reader (LPR) detail on the eastbound lanes of the MacArthur and Julia Tuttle causeways on March 13-15 and March 20-22 starting at 10 p.m. (with setup commencing at 9 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 a License Plate Reader detail along the 5 Street corridor on March 6-8 starting at 10 p.m. (with setup commencing at 9 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 and firearms.

• DUI enforcement will be conducted on March 13-14 and March 20-21.
• Ocean Drive will only be accessible to vehicles from 15 Street with a sole exit at 5 Street on March 12-15 and March 19-22.
• 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 12-15 and March 19-22.

Beginning Thursday, March 5, the following high-impact measures will be in place every Thursday - Sunday throughout the month of March:

• The nonresident towing rate will be $548 — double the regular rate — plus administrative fees for vehicles towed in the Art Deco District.
• Beach entrances on Ocean Drive will be limited to 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 and 14 streets and will have security checkpoints to ensure prohibited items are not brought onto the beach, including coolers, glass containers, inflatable devices, tents, tables and similar objects. Amplified music without a city-issued permit will be restricted. As a reminder, alcohol and smoking are always prohibited on city beaches.
• Package liquor stores in the Art Deco 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) and Flamingo Park neighborhoods. Motorists can access the SoFi neighborhood via Alton Road, Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue. The Flamingo Park neighborhood can be accessed via Alton Road or from its northern side. Local access restrictions will be enforced on some city streets to limit traffic and improve mobility for residents and business patrons.

Based upon operational needs, all the above is subject to modification.

Parking & Free Shuttles

The four garages in the Art Deco District (between 5-16 streets on Washington Ave. to Ocean Drive) will have a flat parking rates ranging between $40-$100. A $40 rate will be in effect on March 5-8, subsequent weekends are subject to change. Resident rates DO NOT apply for these four garages. Street parking and surface lots in this area will be $20/hour ($100 daily max). The registered resident rate of $1/hour still applies.

To assist businesses and their staff impacted by parking garage rate increases in March, free 24-hour shuttles will operate at the following municipal garages every Thursday at 5 a.m. through Monday at 5 a.m. during the month of March with increased frequency during peak hours from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.:

Fifth & Alton Garage
550 Lenox Avenue to/from 7 Street & Washington Avenue
Frequency: Every 10 minutes (peak) | Every 20 minutes (off-peak)
Garage rates: $2/hour ($1/hour for registered residents)

Sunset Harbour Garage
1900 Bay Road to/from 12 Street & Washington Avenue
Frequency: Every 15 minutes (peak) | Every 30 minutes (off-peak)
Garage rates: $2/hour ($1/hour for registered residents)

42 Street Garage
400 West 42 Street to/from 12 Street & Washington Avenue
Frequency: Every 15 minutes (peak) | Every 30 minutes (off-peak)
Garage rates: $1/hour

Miami Beach Trolley Service

The Miami Beach free citywide trolley service will operate on an enhanced schedule March 11-14, March 18-21 and March 25-28 from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m., with two additional vehicles operating on the South Beach loops as well as two additional vehicles assigned to the Collins Express Trolley.

Special Event Zones 

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.

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 Art Deco District to answer visitor questions, provide directions and give tips on how to enjoy the city.