Occupancy Limits: Homestead vs Miami
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Homestead, FL and Miami, FL?
Homestead has fewer restrictions than Miami.
Homestead, FL
Miami-Dade County
Homestead STR occupancy is limited by the Florida Building Code and fire safety capacity. The general standard is two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests. Properties must not exceed the occupancy listed on their certificate of occupancy. Overcrowding creates fire safety and nuisance concerns.
View full Homestead rules →Miami, FL
Miami-Dade County
Miami short-term rental occupancy is limited to a maximum of two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests per property, not to exceed 12 overnight occupants. Children under 3 are excluded from the count per Miami-Dade County standards.
View full Miami rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Homestead | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2 per bedroom + 2 guests | - |
| Basis | FL Building Code + certificate of occupancy | - |
| Fire Safety | Must meet egress capacity | - |
| HVHZ | Structural load limits apply | - |
| Contact | (305) 224-4800 Code Compliance | - |
| Max Overnight | - | 2 per bedroom + 2, max 12 |
| Children Under 3 | - | Excluded from count |
| Posting Required | - | Max occupancy inside unit |
| Response Time | - | Within 1 hour of complaint |
| Code Compliance | - | (305) 416-2087 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Homestead FAQ
How many guests can I have in my Homestead vacation rental?
Generally two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests. Your certificate of occupancy establishes the maximum. Contact the Building Department at (305) 224-4400 to verify your property's limit.
Who enforces STR occupancy in Homestead?
Code Compliance at (305) 224-4800 and the Fire Department at (305) 224-4600 enforce occupancy limits. Both agencies respond to overcrowding complaints.
Can I lose my rental license for overcrowding?
Yes. Repeated occupancy violations can lead to business tax receipt revocation and potential DBPR licensing action at the state level.
Miami FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Miami short-term rental?
Overnight occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests, with an absolute maximum of 12 persons. Children under 3 years old are not counted toward the occupancy limit.
Can I host a party at my Miami short-term rental?
No. Miami prohibits using short-term rentals for events or parties. Properties advertised for gatherings face enforcement action including Certificate of Use revocation.
What happens if my guests exceed the occupancy limit?
Neighbors can report over-occupancy to Code Compliance at (305) 416-2087. First offense citations start at $500, and repeated violations may result in loss of the STR permit.
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