Filming & Production in Miami Beach, FL

If you live in Miami Beach or are thinking about moving there, filming & production are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Miami Beach has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of filming & production, and some of them might surprise you.

Location Permits

Miami Beach requires a film and print production permit under City Code Sec. 12-1 before shooting on public property, on residentially zoned private property, or for any production that needs city services. The city manager or a designee issues, modifies or revokes the permit, and applicants must apply in advance with proof of insurance and indemnification before filming starts.

Key details: Permit issuer: City manager or designee. Unpermitted filming fine: $1,000 / $3,000 / $6,000. Other section violations: $500 / $1,500 / $3,000. Location moratorium: up to 6 months, renewable. Enforced by: Police Dept. & Code Compliance.

Filming without the required permit under Sec. 12-1(1) carries a civil fine of $1,000 for a first offense, $3,000 for a second offense, and $6,000 for a third or later offense within 12 months. Any other violation of Sec. 12-1, such as breaching a permit condition, draws $500 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second, and $3,000 for a third or later offense in the same period.

Production Noise

Miami Beach can let a film or print production exceed the city's noise ordinance under City Code Sec. 12-1(9), but only through the same film and print permit process, not automatically. The permit the city manager issues must spell out exactly how, for how long, and where the noise limit in Chapter 46, Article IV may be exceeded.

Key details: Governs: Chapter 46, Art. IV noise ordinance conflicts. Permit must specify: manner, duration, locations of exception. Revocable: at manager's discretion, any time. Other violation fine: $500 / $1,500 / $3,000.

Exceeding the noise ordinance without this specific written authorization is a violation of Sec. 12-1 enforced by code compliance and the police department, carrying the section's general civil fines of $500 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second, and $3,000 for a third or subsequent offense within 12 months. The manager can also revoke a granted noise exception at any time if it is excessively harming neighbors.

Street Closures

Filming on any Miami Beach public property, including streets, requires an advance film and print permit under City Code Sec. 12-1, and separately closing a street for any purpose needs written approval from the director of public works under Sec. 98-32.

Key details: Film permit section: City Code Sec. 12-1. Street closure section: City Code Sec. 98-32. Street closure approval: Written permit from director of public works. First film-permit-violation fine: $1,000.00. Third+ film-permit-violation fine: $6,000.00.

Filming on Miami Beach public property, including streets, without the required film and print permit draws escalating civil fines: $1,000 for a first offense in 12 months, $3,000 for a second, and $6,000 for a third and subsequent offense under Sec. 12-1(10)(a), with immediate termination of the shoot by police or code compliance and a one-year permit ban for the violator. Closing a street without the separate written permit from the director of public works under Sec. 98-32 is a distinct violation of that section.

This is one of the stricter rules in Miami Beach's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Miami Beach's filming & production rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Miami Beach is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Miami Beach's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.