Miami Beach passes initial “party homes” measure

Miami Beach commissioners took an initial step toward cracking down on so-called “party homes.”

A measure making it illegal to advertise short-term home rentals unanimously passed a first round of voting by the commission during Wednesday’s meeting, the Miami Herald reported. A second vote is necessary for the new regulations to take effect. The city does not allow home rentals of less than six months plus one day, but that hasn’t stopped party promoters from advertising and hosting raucous parties at high-end Miami Beach residences.

Such parties are so profitable that commissioners fear existing fines of up to $20,000 for repeat offenders is not enough of a deterrent.

From 2012 to 2013, 189 notices of violations were issued to luxury homes rented out for parties. [Miami Herald] — Eric Kalis