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As spring break approaches once again, Miami Beach gears up for a new set of measures that will, hopefully, help keep everyone safe—both locals and folks traveling to this side of town in search of warm weather fun.
“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,” reads an official statement on the City of Miami Beach website. “Disorderly crowds, lawless behavior and violence will not be tolerated.”
Finding a bit of humor in it all, the city also published a spoof video in partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and VML to announce the new rules.
Take a look:
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Why is Miami cracking down on spring break?
To put it simply: Miami Beach wants folks to come over and have fun, but any sort of irresponsible behavior will be considered illegal all throughout March.
"Over the past 10 years, [there were] 33 shootings alone during the spring break period," Alex Fernandez, the Miami Beach Commissioner, said to NPR in 2024. "Last year, 16 stampedes on a small stretch of Ocean Drive, on that beautiful, iconic Art Deco postcard that should bring joy and happiness to tourists of our city."
Throughout the past few years, in fact, Miami has become the site of dangerous, alcohol-fueled behavior, prompting officials to take action to curb the sorts of actions that have led to many arrests.
What are the new rules for spring break in Miami?
Below find some of the rules that will be put into effect on two weekends: March 13 to 16 and March 20 to 23.
- Doubled towing rates for non-residents at $516.
- No sidewalk seating on Ocean Drive from March 14-16 and March 21-23.
- Packaged liquor stores in the South Beach entertainment district are required to close at 8pm.
- A DUI sobriety checkpoint will be in place along the 400 block of 5 Street starting at 7pm on March 14-15 and March 21-22.
- Businesses renting or leasing golf carts, low-speed vehicles, autocycles, motorized scooters, mopeds and more will be suspended from operating.
- Limited beach entrances on Ocean Drive to 5th, 10th and 12th streets. These entrances will close at 6pm and will have security checkpoints to ensure prohibited items—such as coolers, inflatable devices, tents, tables— don’t enter the beach.
- Ocean Drive will have barricades and 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.
- License plate readers will monitor vehicles on the MacArthur and Julia Tuttle Causeways.
- The city’s free trolley service will operate on an enhanced schedule from 8am to 1am during the two weekends, with two additional trolleys running on the South Beach Loops and two extra vehicles navigating on the Collins Express.