How Miami Gardens Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Miami Gardens maintains 108 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Miami Gardens falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Registration Rules

Miami Gardens short-term rentals must obtain a Miami-Dade County Certificate of Use, a city Landlord Permit, a DBPR vacation rental license under FS 509.241, and remit 13% combined tax (6% Miami-Dade Tourist Development Tax + 7% Florida sales). FS 509.032(7)(b) preempts new city STR-specific bans.

Key details: County Certificate of Use: Required from Miami-Dade County. City Landlord Permit: Required, renewed annually. State License: DBPR vacation rental (FS 509.241). Combined Tax Rate: 13% (6% county tourist + 7% state sales). Listing Requirement: 10-digit CU number on every listing.

Miami-Dade penalties for operating without a CU escalate to $2,500 by the third offense within 24 months. Missing Landlord Permits draw Miami Gardens Code Enforcement citations (305-622-8020). DBPR can suspend the state license; tax non-remittance accrues penalties from Florida Department of Revenue.

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

Night Caps

Miami Gardens and Miami-Dade County impose no annual night caps on short-term rentals. Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) preempts cities from regulating the duration or frequency of vacation rental stays unless the ordinance predates June 1, 2011. Miami Gardens incorporated in 2003 with no qualifying ordinance.

Key details: Annual Night Cap: None. Owner-Occupied Cap: None. Non-Owner-Occupied Cap: None. State Preemption: FS 509.032(7)(b) bars duration/frequency limits. Long-Term Threshold: 30+ days falls outside STR definition.

Because no night cap exists, there are no penalties tied to total annual rental nights. Operators must still comply with CU, Landlord Permit, DBPR licensing, tax, occupancy, and safety rules; violations of those carry separate penalties.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Miami Gardens gives residents more flexibility on night caps.

Noise Rules

Miami Gardens STRs must comply with general noise ordinance. Cities can regulate STR noise even though they cannot ban rentals. Complaints can trigger registration review.

Key details: Quiet Hours: Per city noise ordinance. Parties: Prohibited at most STRs. Response: Host must respond promptly. Topic: Noise Rules.

Noise violation: $250 to $1,000. Multiple complaints: registration review or revocation. Host responsible for guest behavior.

Permit Requirements

Miami Gardens requires vacation rental registration under Ordinance Sections 6-171 through 6-173. Operators must obtain a city landlord permit, state DBPR license, and comply with local safety and occupancy requirements.

Key details: City Ordinance: §§6-171 through 6-173. Landlord Permit: Required (annual renewal). State License: DBPR required ($50 fee). Occupancy: 2/bedroom + 2 additional.

Operating without required registration and permits subjects operators to Code Enforcement action. Fines start at $250 per day for non-compliance. Special Master hearings may impose escalating daily fines. Operating without a DBPR license is a separate state violation. Per FL SB 60, code enforcement complaints must be non-anonymous.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Miami Gardens actively enforces its permit requirements requirements.

Insurance Requirements

Miami Gardens does not impose city-specific insurance requirements for short-term rentals beyond state-level requirements. Hosts must comply with Florida DBPR licensing under Chapter 509, which includes general liability standards. A landlord permit is required from the Building & Zoning Department at a cost of $158, renewable every two years.

Key details: City Insurance Mandate: No specific city requirement. Landlord Permit: $158, renewable every 2 years. State License: DBPR under FL Chapter 509. Platform Protection: Available through Airbnb/VRBO. Contact: Building & Zoning Dept..

Operating without a landlord permit is a code violation. DBPR licensing violations carry state-level penalties including fines and license suspension.

Miami Gardens is more permissive than most cities when it comes to insurance requirements. That said, there are still limits.

Occupancy Limits

Miami Gardens enforces occupancy limits for short-term rentals at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional people. This applies to all residential rental properties within the city. The limit is enforced through the landlord permit process and code enforcement.

Key details: Occupancy Formula: 2 per bedroom + 2 additional. 3-Bedroom Example: Maximum 8 guests. Enforcement: Code Enforcement Division. Permit Required: Landlord permit ($158). Applies To: All residential rental properties.

Exceeding occupancy limits is a violation of the landlord permit conditions. Code Enforcement may issue citations with fines and, for repeated violations, may revoke the landlord permit.

Taxes & Fees

Short-term rental hosts in Miami Gardens must collect and remit approximately 13% in combined taxes: 6% Florida state sales tax, 1% Miami-Dade County discretionary surtax, and 6% Broward/Miami-Dade tourist development tax. Hosts must register with the Florida Department of Revenue and obtain a landlord permit ($158).

Key details: State Sales Tax: 6%. County Surtax: 1%. Tourist Dev. Tax: 6%. Total Combined Rate: ~13%. Landlord Permit: $158 every 2 years.

Failure to collect and remit required taxes can result in penalties from the Florida Department of Revenue including back taxes, interest, and fines. Operating without a landlord permit is a local code violation.

Parking Rules

Short-term rental properties in Miami Gardens must comply with the city's residential parking requirements under Chapter 34 (Zoning). Guests must park on paved surfaces only. No vehicles may be parked on grass, swales, or the public right-of-way overnight. The city enforces strict anti-blight parking standards.

Key details: Surface Requirement: Paved surface only (concrete, asphalt, pavers). Grass Parking: Prohibited. Swale Parking: Prohibited. Governing Code: Ch. 34 Art. XII Off-Street Parking. Enforcement: Code Enforcement — active patrols.

Parking violations are subject to code enforcement action. Fines apply for vehicles parked on grass or in prohibited areas. Repeated violations may affect the landlord permit status.

The Bottom Line

Miami Gardens's short-term rentals 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 Gardens is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Miami Gardens's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.