Miami Beach committee forwards $150 annual resident parking‑permit pilot for commission review

Alex Fernandez, chair of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, presented a proposal March 25 to pilot an optional $150 annual resident parking permit for on‑street and lot parking in nonresidential zones that would allow permit holders two hours of parking without using a pay‑by‑phone app.

The plan, introduced as a 12‑month pilot to begin Oct. 1 if approved by the full commission, is intended to reduce curb friction for residents and preserve turnover by limiting the permit to two hours. Fernandez said the program would be “targeted and controlled” and operate citywide during the pilot period.

Will McDonald, parking director for the city, told the committee the proposal is operationally feasible but requires backend work. McDonald said the city’s on‑street parking enterprise generates roughly $20 million annually, about 90% of which he described as derived from nonresidents. He estimated that modestly raising the nonresident on‑street rate from $4 to $5 could generate conservatively $2–3 million annually, with a more optimistic scenario approaching $4 million.

McDonald said garages use different technology and the pilot should initially exclude garages; commissioners discussed extending courtesy to fewer than 100 residents who currently pay about $70 monthly for garage parking so they could participate if desired. Commissioners also asked staff for comparisons with neighboring municipalities and for operational details about monitoring two‑hour limits, including cameras and license‑plate recognition pilots.

Commissioner Laura Dominguez, who said the proposed fee would be “less than $3 a week,” supported the pilot but asked staff for examples from other cities. She and others also pressed for clarity about whether lots would be included; staff confirmed the pilot would apply to on‑street meters and lots but not to garages in the initial implementation.

Fernandez moved to send the item back to the commission with a 12‑month pilot beginning Oct. 1 and a $150 annual permit; the motion was seconded and, after hearing no public opposition, the committee agreed to forward the item for formal consideration and implementation planning.

Next steps: staff will develop the operational and budget implementation details for commission consideration, with a committee review of collected data during the pilot period.