Miami Beach Relaxes Spring Break Restrictions After 'Breakup'

Mayor says this year's policies will be more relaxed, focusing on health, wellness and public safety.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Miami Beach is easing up on its spring break restrictions after a two-year "breakup" with the annual event. Mayor Steven Meiner said this year's policies will be similar to last year's but more relaxed, with a focus on health, wellness and public safety. A heavy law enforcement presence will still return, but city officials say crime is down 18% and resort tax revenue is up after cracking down on rowdy spring breakers.

Why it matters

Miami Beach's spring break has long been a source of controversy, with the city struggling to balance the economic benefits of the event with public safety concerns. The new, more relaxed approach aims to find a middle ground that supports local businesses while maintaining order.

The details

The changes for 2026 include a continued heavy law enforcement presence, but with more relaxed policies compared to the past two years when the city "had to throw the circuit breaker" and "disrupt and reeducate about what behavior is acceptable," according to Commissioner Tanya Bhatt. City officials say crime is down 18% and resort tax revenue is up, but some business owners argue the strict crackdowns have hurt their bottom line, with some going out of business.

  • Miami Beach is easing up on its spring break restrictions for 2026.
  • The city had implemented stricter policies for the past two spring break seasons.

The players

Steven Meiner

The mayor of Miami Beach who announced the more relaxed spring break policies for 2026.

Tanya Bhatt

A Miami Beach city commissioner who said the city had to "disrupt and reeducate" spring breakers about acceptable behavior in recent years.

Joel Stedman

A Miami Beach business owner who praised the police department's handling of spring break in recent years.

Mitch Novick

The owner of the Sherbrook Hotel in Miami Beach who said spring break is no longer the busy season it once was.

Troy Wright

A representative of the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District who said some businesses have gone out of business due to the spring break crackdowns.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've had two successful spring breaks — calm — families out enjoying, which was not the case several years ago.”

— Steven Meiner, Mayor (nbcmiami.com)

“We had to throw the circuit breaker for two years; we had to disrupt and reeducate about what behavior is acceptable.”

— Tanya Bhatt, Commissioner (nbcmiami.com)

“I believe we've achieved the goal of squashing the problem that we had. I'd like to congratulate our police chief and the Miami Beach Police Department. I think they did an amazing job and have done an amazing job.”

— Joel Stedman, Business owner (nbcmiami.com)

“March — for generations — has been the most lucrative up until recently, or shall I say recent years.”

— Mitch Novick, Hotel owner (nbcmiami.com)

“There are businesses that are gone now that were here, I should say 10 years ago, 15 years ago, that lost their business because of spring break and the shutdowns.”

— Troy Wright, Business improvement district representative (nbcmiami.com)

What’s next

The city will continue to monitor the impact of the more relaxed spring break policies on public safety and local businesses.

The takeaway

Miami Beach's delicate balancing act between supporting its lucrative spring break tourism and maintaining public order appears to be shifting, with the city opting for a more relaxed approach after two years of strict crackdowns. The success of this new strategy will be closely watched by both businesses and residents.