Today: Free Sandbag Distribution

Join us for today's free sandbag distribution event hosted by the City of Miami Beach. 

Friday, July 26 

Until 6 PM 

Two locations:

2100 Collins Avenue (east of Collins Park)

225 79 Street

Sandbags will be pre-filled, with a limit of 4 per household while supplies last. Residents are required to show proof of residency via a government-issued ID or utility bill. 



As a reminder, only dry sandbags can be stored for reuse. Sandbags exposed to floodwaters may have come into contact with contaminants or pollutants and should be disposed of with care. After a flooding event, please place used sandbags curbside during the city-announced pickup period. Do not empty sandbags onto beaches or into drains. Remember, removing sand from our beaches is prohibited. The sand and dunes are the city's first line of defense against storm surge. 

Today: Venetian Causeway Water and Sewer Main Replacement Groundbreaking Ceremony

Please join us for the Venetian Causeway Water and Sewer Main Replacement groundbreaking ceremony.

Once completed, the new lines will provide a sufficient flow capacity to meet the city's growing demands.

Friday, July 26

3:30 PM

Belle Isle Park

7 Island Avenue

For more information, please contact Gabriella Gonzalez at gabriellagonzalez@miamibeachfl.gov.

Tomorrow: Human Trafficking Red Sand Event

Join the City of Miami Beach Human Rights Committee for a Red Sand Event to raise awareness for human trafficking victims and survivors. Meet non-profit advocacy groups and your elected officials. Light refreshments will be provided.

Saturday, July 27

5 PM - 7 PM

Pride Park

1809 Meridian Avenue

Visit www.redsandproject.org for more information.

Ecological Restoration Volunteer Day

Join the Institute for Regional Conservation in partnership with Miami Beach Rising Above as we install native plants along South Pointe Park. Volunteers will be guided through the plant installation process while learning about coastal ecosystems. 

No experience required. Grab a friend to help us enhance the biodiversity of South Pointe Park's beach dune ecosystem and discover how much fun habitat restoration can be!

Saturday, July 27

9 AM – 11 AM

South Pointe Park

1 Washington Avenue

Register now.

Coastal Conservation Education Workshop

Interested in coastal conservation? Join the Institute for Regional Conservation and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden for a fun-filled morning of educational programming. In addition to exploring the importance of biodiverse dune systems and their storm resilience properties, volunteers will learn how to identify coastal native plants and start their very own beach dune seeds and cuttings.   

All ages are welcome and no experience is required.

Saturday, August 3

10 AM – 12 PM 

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

2000 Convention Center Drive 

Register now.

Free Mammogram Service

Liga Contra El Cancer, H3: Health. Hope. Healing., and Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez are bringing a mobile mammogram bus to Miami Beach to offer free mammograms to those without health insurance.

Friday, August 16

8 AM - 4 PM

2100 Collins Avenue

To register, call 786.353.1944 or 305.856.4914.

Back to School Sales Tax Holiday

Consumers can purchase qualifying school supplies exempt from tax during the 2024 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday.

Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday begins Monday, July 29 and extends through Sunday, August 11.

View eligible items.

Adaptive Beach Days

Hosted by the Sabrina Cohen Foundation, "Adaptive Beach Days" is a pop-up program that provides full-service access to the ocean for people with various disabilities with the help of trained staff, volunteers, access decks, beach wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment.

Sunday, August 18

11 AM - 3 PM

6475 Collins Avenue

Onsite parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Adaptive Beach Days will run through November on every third Sunday of the month.

Click here to register as a participant or as a volunteer.

Save the Date: Miami Beach Salsa Fest 

Since 2014, the Miami Beach Salsa Fest has brought our community together in a vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Miami Beach. We invite you to register for our free, world-class event featuring Miami's own Melina Almodóvar "La Muñeca de la Salsa," live DJs, Latin cuisine, complimentary salsa lessons and much more. 

Saturday, September 28 

4 PM - 10 PM 

Miami Beach Bandshell

7275 Collins Avenue 

Free RSVP. 

Seniors 65 and up are invited to participate in a Salsa Dance Competition at the event for a chance to win up to $300 in prize money. Free salsa lessons are available for everyone. To sign up for the competition as a pair, please call 305.321.1087 or email melinasalsa@gmail.com.

Nominations Open: 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Awards

The Miami Beach Hispanic Affairs Committee is seeking nominations for the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Awards by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 2. The committee will honor recipients at an awards ceremony in September.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15. The Hispanic Heritage Month Awards are intended to honor members of the Hispanic community who live or work in the City of Miami Beach and who have made a positive contribution to the community in their respective professions.

The committee will select individuals or businesses from the following categories:

Individual — Educator, public safety personnel, social service provider, artist, youth (under 18 involved in community service), adult contributing to the success of youth and any Hispanic Miami Beach community member.

Business — Business, business owner, or employee of a qualified business (must have at least 51% Hispanic ownership).

Each nomination must include the nominee’s full name, address, phone number and a detailed explanation of the nominee’s contribution to the community. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2024.     

Nomination forms are available by clicking here. Completed forms can be submitted via email to leonorhernandez@miamibeachfl.gov or via mail to Leonor Hernandez, City of Miami Beach, Hispanic Affairs Committee Liaison, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL, 33139.

August 20, 2024 Primary Election

The Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early voting begins Monday, August 5, 2024 and continues through Sunday, August 18, 2024

Visit www.iamelectionready.org for important election information.

Water Taxi Service

The City of Miami Beach and Poseidon Ferry LLC have launched a new one-year water taxi pilot program to transport passengers between Miami Beach and Miami — aiming to ease traffic congestion between the two cities. Miami Beach residents sail free with a valid I.D. through July 31, 2024.

Hours of Operation:

Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., except during the hours of 2-3 p.m.

Miami Beach:

Maurice Gibb Park Boat Ramp

18 Street & Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach, FL

Departs every hour on the half hour

Miami:

Venetian Marina & Yacht Club (Sea Isle Marina)

1635 N. Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL

Departs every hour on the hour

View fares and learn more at www.poseidonferry.com.

Additionally, parking rates at the Sunset Harbour municipal parking garage are 50% off for all water taxi passengers. Residents pay 50 cents per hour while non-residents pay $1 per hour. Must show proof of water taxi fare upon exit to take advantage of the rate reduction.

Apply Now: Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Funding

The City of Miami Beach has allocated $127,062.81 in State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program funds for rental development or multi-family construction projects aimed at affordable/workforce housing.

Key Dates:

RFA Released: July 10, 2024

Application Deadline: August 2, 2024



Interested in applying? Visit the link below to submit your rental development project application: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/MIAMIBEACHFL/Participant

For any questions regarding the RFA process, contact Marcela Rubio, Assistant Director with the City’s Office of Housing and Community Services at 305.673.7260 or marcelarubio@miamibeachfl.gov.

Learn more at www.miamibeachfl.gov/housing. 

Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow

The Florida Department of Transportation's "Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow" campaign reminds you to stay focused when getting from place to place. Whether you're driving, walking, or cycling, read all signs and obey laws to ensure safety for all.

Learn more.

Protect Your Pets from Extreme Heat

Temperatures in Miami-Dade County are heating up this summer — and the asphalt can get nearly twice as hot as the air outside.

If you wouldn't walk barefoot on the concrete for more than a few seconds, imagine your dog's paws when touching the asphalt. To test the temperature of the ground, you can perform the "seven second test" by touching the ground with the back of your hand. If you are unable to keep your hand on the ground for more than seven seconds, it's too hot to take your pet for a walk.

For more ways to protect your furry friend from extreme heat, follow the tips below:

• Try to walk pets in the morning or evening, before the sun is at its hottest
• Provide pets with ample shade and water
• Walk them on grass or meadows to avoid pavement or asphalt
• Learn the signs of heat stroke
• Never leave pets inside cars

By following these tips, you can protect your pet from heat stroke and first-, second- and third-degree burns. 

Don't Kit-Nap the Kittens

In most cases, newborn kittens don’t need human intervention and, in fact, taking these very young kittens inadvertently creates orphaned kittens who have slim chances of survival without their mom. It’s always best to keep the mother and kittens together to ensure the kittens can thrive; at least until the kittens are eating on their own and can be safely removed for socialization and adoption. If you find a kitten or a litter of kittens, please leave them be. For more information, visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/cats.

Due to the round-the-clock care neonatal kittens require, the mortality rate of these newborn kittens is very high. We rely on volunteers to give orphaned neonatal kittens the care they need to survive. If you would like to become a volunteer or foster, or report kittens, please contact info@sobecats.org. 

Voluntary Disabled Parking Program

Regular parking fees now apply at all municipal parking spaces unless your disabled permit is registered under the City of Miami Beach Voluntary Disabled Parking Program. Strict enforcement began on Monday, June 3. For on-street parking spaces, disabled permit holders who do not register will continue to receive a maximum of four (4) hours free parking unless a shorter time limit is posted.

Registration is open. Registrants must appear in person at the city’s Customer Service Center, located at 1755 Meridian Avenue, 1st floor.

An application and consent form must be completed, signed, and notarized*. The consent form will authorize the city to verify the information provided by the registrant with the practitioner who approved the issuance of the disabled permit.

Applicants will need the following documentation:

• Disabled Placard and registration
• Driver’s License or State Identification
• Practitioner information, including Practitioner License Number
• Vehicle Registration

*A notary public will be available at the Customer Service Center at the time an application is submitted.

Learn more.

Miami Beach Convention Center Now Hiring

Join the team at the Miami Beach Convention Center! 

Whether you're aiming for a managerial role or looking for part-time work, the Miami Beach Convention Center is seeking talented events and hospitality professionals for full-time and part-time positions.

Apply now.

Arts & Culture e-Newsletter

Get the inside scoop on all things arts and culture! Sign up to receive information on events and offerings at Miami Beach cultural institutions straight to your inbox every Wednesday. 

Sign up for our Arts & Culture e-newsletter.

Volunteer to Serve on Miami Beach's Land Use Boards

From preserving our rich architectural heritage to guiding responsible development, Miami Beach's Land Use Boards are at the forefront of ensuring a sustainable and thriving city for generations to come. The city’s Land Use Boards are comprised of the Board of Adjustment, the Design Review Board, the Historic Preservation Board and the Planning Board.

We are calling on all residents who are passionate about shaping the future of Miami Beach to consider volunteering for our Land Use Boards. Volunteers will gain valuable experience and have an opportunity to make a difference in our community.

The following vacancy is currently available:

Design Review Board: One Landscape Architect registered in the State of Florida. 

Interested persons with the applicable qualifications may submit their application, resume, photograph and professional license(s) here. For assistance in completing the application, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 305.673.7411.

For more information on the powers and duties and the composition of each Land Use Board, visit our website.

Participate in the Special Events Community Review Meetings 

The City of Miami Beach’s Tourism & Culture Department invites you to their Special Events Community Review Meetings, which take place virtually on the third Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. 

Special Events in the City of Miami Beach are subject to review and recommendation by the corresponding neighborhood or business association(s) as part of a monthly Special Events Community Review. We appreciate the community feedback provided during these meetings. 

Next Meeting: Thursday, August 15

Meeting link: https://bit.ly/3QhW3Hf

Subscribe today to the Special Events Community Review Newsletter to receive agendas and meeting information ahead of the monthly meetings at www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/communications/subscriptions.

Mobile Parking Apps

There are two convenient ways to pay for parking in Miami Beach. Residents and visitors can choose between PayByPhone or ParkMobile for hassle-free payments.

Both apps are available to download at miamibeachfl.gov/mobile-apps.

Use the Transit App to Track the Trolley 

The Miami Beach Trolley Tracker is currently undergoing improvements and has been temporarily removed from the Miami Beach Gov app. In the meantime, we encourage riders to download the free Transit App for efficient and reliable trolley tracking.

Alternatively, our customer service team is available at 305.673.7117 to provide trolley ETAs directly. Users can also text the City of Miami Beach stop ID number (available on all trolley stop signs) to 786.981.4545 to receive arrival times via text message.

We are committed to providing our residents and visitors with the best possible transit experience and hope to have an integrated trolley tracker back up and running within the Miami Beach Gov App in the near future.

The Miami Beach free citywide trolley service operates 15 hours a day, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week at approximately 20-minute average service frequency along each route.

Learn more and download the Transit App.

Report Issues to Our 24/7 Control Room

Call our 24/7 Control Room at 305.673.7625, day or night, to report any issues, such as:

• Streetlight outages 
• Potholes
• Cracked sidewalks
• Graffiti
• Overflowing trash cans
• And more!

Our Public Works team has operators working around the clock to make sure all issues get sent to the proper department to fix them. 

Be Part of the Solution: Report Code Compliance Violations

Help us keep Miami Beach beautiful! If you spot a suspected violation of the City Code, call the Code Compliance Department at 305.604.CITY (2849).

Examples of common violations include:

• Trash on a property or in an alley
• Unkept properties in your neighborhood
• Overflowing dumpsters
• Loud noise from construction or music
• Illegal short-term rentals

For more information on Code Compliance, visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/code-compliance.

Current Beach Conditions



Residents and visitors can get a head start on their beach outings with the Miami Beach Ocean Rescue Safety & Weather Condition Report site updated daily, including weekends and holidays. 

Available information includes the current beach warning flags being flown outside lifeguard towers on Miami Beach along with what they mean, low- and high-tide information, ocean water temperature, wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, lifeguard duty hours, sunrise and sunset times as well as surf conditions and any beach advisories.

Cardio & Calisthenics Fitness Classes

Get fit with #MBParks!

Saturdays at 9 AM

Collins Park Garage

340 23 Street

Free ongoing classes

Click here to register.

Gift a Beachwalk Brick

Consider gifting your friends and family with a small piece of the city’s Beachwalk!

The Miami Beach City Commission has approved the sale of $1,500 commemorative brick pavers that will be placed along the 26 Street entrance to the Beachwalk as a pilot program with the proceeds to fund educational programing in the city.

The personalized Beachwalk Bricks will remain on the oceanfront promenade for 10 years but may be extended for an additional period if the program is available. Inscriptions can include names or messages.

For information, call the City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department at 305.673.7272 or send an email to recreation@miamibeachfl.gov. Learn more.

Adopt-A-Bench

Another unique gift option is a commemorative bench in one of our city parks.

Miami Beach residents and visitors can add a personal touch to our iconic city through recent enhancements of the Adopt-A-Bench Program.

Learn how to leave your mark in the park at adoptabenchmiamibeach.com.

Plastic Free July

Ready to reduce plastic? Sign up for the Plastic Free July challenge to help reduce plastic that washes up on our beaches and ends up in Biscayne Bay.

Tag us on social media using #PlasticFreeMB with a photo of how you are reducing your plastic consumption or email photos to sustainability@miamibeachfl.gov for a chance to win a prize.

Sign up now.

Fertilizer Ban

Biscayne Bay provides recreational, cultural and economic well-being for our entire community. To help keep the bay healthy, the City of Miami Beach has prohibited the use of fertilizer application from May 15 through November 1. Show our bay some love and help keep it fertilizer free.

For more information on fertilizer application outside of the restricted period, visit www.MBRisingAbove.com/fertilizers.

Fight the Bite

Take precautions against mosquito-borne illness by applying bug spray, avoiding areas with high mosquito populations and wearing long pants and long-sleeve shirts when possible - especially during sunrise and sunset when mosquitoes are most active.

To prevent the bite and spread of disease by mosquitoes, remember to drain and cover.

• Flush water from water-bearing plants so they don't become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Disposing of excess water at least once a week disrupts the mosquitoes' life cycle, preventing mosquito egg deposits and killing existing larvae in the process.
• Survey your garden and backyard, checking landscaping for current and future locations of standing water. Mosquitoes need as little as a bottle cap of water to reproduce, so every little bit counts.
• Eliminate all sources of standing water by emptying potential water-holding yard items, including pots, buckets and wheelbarrows weekly. Make sure to drain items more frequently following rainfall.

Flip the Switch: Sea Turtle Season is Here

Sea turtle season in Miami Beach runs from April 1 through October 31.

Our beach is a crucial nesting habitat for sea turtles. As sea turtle hatchlings make their way from sand to sea, the stark contrast between the darker dunes and the reflection of the moon over the ocean helps them determine where to go.

Artificial lighting near beaches presents a significant hazard by confusing sea turtles and leading them to mistakenly crawl toward the artificial lights instead of heading to the ocean. Turn off the lights to help keep sea turtles safe!

Do not disturb or touch nesting sea turtles or hatchlings. Report any disturbances or lost turtles to MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife at 1.888.404.3922, to Miami-Dade County Government at 305.310.3046 or to Miami Beach PD at 305.673.7900. Let's protect our beach ecosystem together!

Learn more.

Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban & Chainsaw Phase Out Period

Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned in Miami Beach. Additionally, gas-powered chainsaws are now being phased out per ordinance 2024-4589. These initiatives are part of the city's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Transitioning away from gas-powered leaf blowers and chainsaws not only helps to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, but also helps to improve water quality, mitigate noise pollution and promote operational effectiveness.

The phase out period for gas-powered chainsaws:

Public Education: March 1, 2024 through October 31, 2024

Warning Period: November 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025

Full Enforcement: August 1, 2025

School Zone Speed Limits

School will be back in session next month, which means school zone speed limits will soon be back in effect. Remember to pay attention to the posted speed limits and slow down.

Virtual School Tours

Tour videos are available for all six Miami-Dade County Public Schools in the city, including Biscayne Beach Elementary, Miami Beach Fienberg Fisher K-8, North Beach Elementary, Miami Beach South Pointe Elementary, Miami Beach Nautilus Middle and Miami Beach Senior High School.

Take a virtual tour.

Florida Tropical Training

Join the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) offices serving Florida for a four-day virtual Florida Tropical Training from July 29 - August 1. Each day will focus on a specific topic with four sessions daily — two midday and two evening. Trainings will teach participants how to interpret information and respond correctly, from pre-season preparedness to post-tropical impact recovery. 

Tools and resources from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Ready will also be showcased. 

Register and learn more.

Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through November 30. Now is the time to make sure you have a plan, build a kit and stay informed this hurricane season.

The City of Miami Beach wants to ensure the safety of all its residents, businesses and visitors. Visit our hurricane webpage for tips on how to stay safe this hurricane season and watch our hurricane special below, which will air regularly on MBTV (Channel 660 on Breezeline or Channel 99 on AT&T U-Verse) through the end of November.

Please ensure you’re registered to receive emergency alerts via text notifications from the city by texting MBAlert to 888777. 

Heat Safety

It’s important to keep heat safety in mind during periods of extreme heat. Follow these recommendations:

• Stay hydrated
• Dress appropriately
• Apply sunscreen
• Cool down in the shade
• It is NEVER safe to leave a child, disabled person or pet locked in a car
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Stay informed about local weather forecasts and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from the heat.

Visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat for more information on heat safety.

MBAlert



Text "MBALERT" to 888777 to sign up to receive emergency and major traffic notifications from the City of Miami Beach right to your phone.