The City of Miami Beach is committed to working with our community businesses and stakeholders to keep everyone informed as this situation continues to unfold. Please find below the latest information on mandates/guidelines as well as businesses resources.
RECENT UPDATES
Minimizing contact through social distancing measures is critical in avoiding the risk of COVID-19 infections. As such, the City of Miami Beach has issued a “Safer at Home” Emergency Order, effective 12:01 a.m. on March 24, 2020, a link to which is
here
, requiring all persons living in the city to remain in their homes to the maximum extent possible, except to engage in essential activities as set forth in the Ord
er.
This is especially true for our senior population and those with compromised immune systems.
All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a residence are prohibited, except to engage in essential activities.
All residents and visitors may engage in the following activities:
- Essential retail and commercial activities, such as groceries; medical care; restaurants; for pick up, take out or delivery; banking; and other activities listed in the Order;
- Outdoor recreational activities in areas not otherwise CLOSED;
- Religious activities, subject to distance separation rules;
- Personal support activities, to care for family members or friends;
- Work in support of essential activities, including work to or from essential retail and commercial businesses permitted to remain open by County Emergency Order or City Emergency Order
At all times, residents and visitors shall adhere to social distancing practices, such as
- maintaining a distance of at least six feet away from others,
- washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds or using hand sanitizer,
- covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands),
- regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and
- not shaking hands.
Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to limit all of their travel, except as absolutely necessary. Persons at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are strongly encouraged to stay in their residence to the extent possible, except as necessary to seek medical care.
Municipal Parking Lot and Garage Update
Now that all hotels are closing and only essential businesses, as defined in the City Manager’s Emergency Declaration, are permitted to operate, the city is lifting the current restrictions for access to certain municipal parking lots and garages effective tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24 at 12 p.m. This serves to provide added parking opportunities for patrons of essential businesses. As a reminder, Parkmobile remains as the only payment option in order to reduce touch surfaces.
Please note that certain municipal lots and garages will remain with the current access restrictions (Miami Beach residents and access card holders only) in order to discourage access to our recreational (beaches and parks) and entertainment corridors. Access restrictions are lifted at the following municipal parking lots and garages within these boundaries:
- South Beach: West of Euclid Avenue between 5 Street and 17 Street, with the exception of all municipal lots and garages between 16 Street and 17 Street and between Drexel Avenue and Alton Road.
- Middle Beach: All municipal parking lots west of Pine Tree Drive between 23 Street and 42 Street, including Municipal Parking Garage No. 6, located at 42 Street and Sheridan Avenue.
- North Beach: All municipal parking lots west of Harding Avenue/Abbott Avenue between 69 Street and 87 Terrace.
Miami Beach residents are encouraged to sign up through the temporary expedited resident parking registration by clicking
here
.
Building Department Update
APPLICATION
PLAN REVIEW
- All permits that have not been issued are required to upload all documents for review.
- Any 24Hr plan disapproved, must upload all corrections via Citizen Self Service (CSS)
PERMIT ISSUANCE
- Effective Tuesday, March 24, there will be no interior condo permits issued.
- Any 24Hr plan brought in tomorrow will be invoiced. If approved and the remaining balance has been paid, via Citizen Self Service (CSS), the permit card will be delivered via email or be made available for download via Citizen Self Service (CSS). The inspector will bring the approved plan to the site for the first inspection.
INSPECTIONS
- Any permits already issued, will be allowed to continue/begin work (if the individual association allows the work).
- During COVID-19 period we must work together. The City of Miami Beach building inspectors will be performing checks of the logs on safe site practices. Lack of compliance with CDC recommendations on construction sites will result with the issuance of a violation and depending on the severity, may require that the site be closed down up to and including the revocation of a permit.
- Construction projects with greater than 8 workers shall check all employees daily and keep notes of the screening on site. Click here for the City's Self Screening form.
- Permits or violations that will expire between March 16, 2020 and April 16, 2020 will be extended for an additional month.
The North Beach office will be closed to the public until further notice. Customers may visit the Building Department office located at City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive. Visit the City's dedicated
COVID-19 webpage
regularly to stay informed.
Emergency Business Damage Assessment Survey
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has approved the first two Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by DEO, provides short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. Up to $50 million has been allocated for the program.
The Governor has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin.
The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online
here.
Results from this survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners. Completing this survey could help unlock State and Federal funding. For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at
ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
City Clerk
As of today, public office hours for the Office of the City Clerk and the Office of the Special Master are now 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Customers needing assistance may call the Office of the City Clerk at 305.673.7411 or the Office of the Special Master at 305.673.7181. Telephones will be answered from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers are encouraged to use the
Clerk's online resources
or email
cityclerk@miamibeachfl.gov.
For a full list of impacted city services, including the Building Department, Code Compliance and more, select the Impacted City Services tab on our
COVID-19 webpage
.
Miami Beach Trolley
Until further notice, all Miami Beach Trolleys will only operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday through Sunday with a decreased service frequency. Passengers should expect 30 minute wait times. Additionally, the 11 Street Loop will be eliminated until further notice. To track the trolley in real-time, download the Miami Beach e-Gov app.
Restaurant & Take-Out Delivery Guidelines
For Stopping the Spread of COVID-19
Click
here
for a list of guidelines for your establishment.
Restaurant Waste Services Update
With the reduction in restaurant service to delivery and take-out and in accordance with City Code Sec 90-100, restaurants are now eligible to reduce waste service to every other day.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Federal Tax Filing Postponed
Taxpayers and Businesses will have additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. Filing deadline has been moved from April 15 to
July 15.
State of Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program
The State of Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program has been activated. The application period will run through May 8, 2020. The program will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. Qualified applicants must be a for-profit, privately held small business that maintains a place of business in the state of Florida, must be established prior to March 9, 2020 and must employ 2 to 100 employees.
This loan program will provide up to $50,000 per eligible small business. Loans of up to $100,000 may be made in special cases as warranted by the need of the eligible small business. Complete details on this program and how to apply are available
here
.
Short Time Compensation Program (Florida Department of Economic Opportunity)
The Short Time Compensation Program is a voluntary employer program designed to help employers maintain their staff by reducing the weekly working hours during temporary slowdowns instead of temporarily laying off employees. If an employer establishes a Short Time Compensation Plan and an employee meets the qualifications to file a re-employment assistance claim in the state of Florida, the employee will receive a partial re-employment check to supplement their reduced paycheck.
EMPLOYEES & EMPLOYERS: For more information on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Short Time Compensation Program please click
here
.
EMPLOYERS: To apply for the Short Time Compensation Program (required for employees to submit a re-employment claim), please click
here
.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Guidance
The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The SBA
has approved the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program which will provide small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans
here
.
Facebook Grant
F
acebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time. Click
here
for more information.
Click
here
for to learn about resources for bartenders and servers.
BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS TOOLS
Business Pandemic Planning Checklist
To assist with the potential financial impact on your business, please visit the following link for information to help maintain the continuity of your operations:
Business Pandemic Planning Checklist
.
Resilience in a Box
To give businesses a better chance at survival post-disaster, the U.S. Chamber Foundation offers a free toolkit called Resilience in a Box, in partnership with The UPS Foundation. This collection of resources educates business leaders on disaster preparedness and helps put them on a path to resilience. Read more on the
Good360 blog
.
It is important to keep your business and employees safe and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We encourage you to monitor the
city’s page
on coronavirus for the latest information, as the situation is rapidly changing.
U.S. Department of Labor
The Wage and Hour Division provides information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to influenza, pandemics, or other public health emergencies, and their effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Click
here
to learn more.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Essential Hotels Still Open in Miami-Dade County
Miami Eats Program
Due to the dramatic impact on the hospitality industry during this pandemic, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has launched MIAMI EATS - a new program to help our restaurants and their employees during this crisis. Visit
www.GMCVB.com/MiamiEats
to learn how to have your establishment added to the list.
Free ad for Miami Beach Business Owners in Miami Beach Life Magazine
The Beach Channel will be offering free advertisements.
Due to the current unforeseen circumstances and pandemic, we find ourselves in, The Beach Channel is taking action to help our community. The Beach Channel will be offering free advertisement to any restaurants in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe county area that are offering delivery or take-out.
All restaurants in one of these three counties that offers delivery or pick-up are eligible. The advertisement will be run on the new Beach Channel app. It will also be featured on
the Beach Channel livestream
, which can be watched on the app or online at
thebeachchannel.tv
