How Miami Gardens Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide
Miami Gardens maintains 27 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 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.
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.
Short-Term Rental Permits
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 not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Miami Gardens actively enforces its short-term rental permits requirements.
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.
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.