In response to numerous complaints from residents of the city’s South of Fifth neighborhood in South Beach, the Miami Beach City Commission voted unanimously at the April 28 Commission meeting to roll back the hours of operation for commercial charter boats operating out of the city-owned Miami Beach Marina and any other public marine facility in the city.

“Quality of life issues are a top priority for me, and that’s why I sponsored this measure to address problems with late-night charters,” explained Miami Beach Commissioner Steven Meiner. “This measure will go a long way to eliminate the significant disruptions to residents’ quality of life caused by excessive noise and unruly charter guests arriving in the middle of the night.”

The change in hours requires all commercial charter boat operators to wrap up their charters by 9 p.m. Charters can resume again at 7 a.m. the next day.

“Such prohibition shall include, but not be limited to, operating a commercial vessel, the queueing of passengers, the embarkation or disembarkation of passengers and the loading or unloading of any food, goods, equipment, fuel or supplies,” the ordinance states.

The measure exempts non-commercial vessels, commercial fishing vessels, commercial diving vessels and educational or nature tours that are properly registered with the marina operator. The Miami Beach Marina is operated by Suntex Marinas on behalf of the city.

Initial violations carry a civil fine of $500 while the second violation in a six-month period carries a $1,000 fine. Subsequent violations within that same period carry a $2,000 fine. The ordinance took effect on May 8, 2023.

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