Miami Beach Deregulates to Attract Restaurants and Live Entertainment

City Commission approves measures to fast-track openings and raise occupancy limits

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Miami Beach City Commission has unanimously approved a deregulatory ordinance that will make it significantly easier for restaurants and live entertainment venues to set up shop, aiming to fill empty retail spaces faster and reignite the city's vibrant culture. The new temporary policy allows qualifying businesses to bypass the city's conditional use permit process and raises the occupancy threshold for restaurants with indoor entertainment from 200 to 750 patrons.

Why it matters

With vacant storefronts dotting some of the city's most popular corridors, Miami Beach is rolling out this bold new strategy to revive its famed commercial districts and bring back the energy of live music and quality restaurants that residents and visitors have been missing.

The details

Under the new ordinance, restaurants and venues offering live indoor entertainment can bypass the city's conditional use permit process, a significant hurdle for many small businesses. The occupancy threshold for these businesses has also been raised dramatically, from 200 to 750 patrons, allowing larger venues to launch more quickly. Existing businesses that meet the new occupancy guidelines can also take advantage of the reform by simply updating their business licenses and tax receipts.

  • The Miami Beach City Commission unanimously approved the deregulatory ordinance on February 10, 2026.

The players

Alex J. Fernandez

Miami Beach City Commissioner who championed the deregulatory changes.

Steven Meiner

Mayor of Miami Beach, emphasizing the city's commitment to responsible growth.

Lyle Stern

President of the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District, calling the changes a "proactive business tool" that will eliminate overregulation.

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What they’re saying

“We're temporarily deregulating and streamlining approvals to make it easier for live entertainment and quality restaurants to make a comeback on the Beach.”

— Alex J. Fernandez, Miami Beach City Commissioner (cbsnews.com)

“Miami Beach is open for business. We're cutting red tape while maintaining high standards, so responsible businesses can open faster and bring energy to our commercial corridors.”

— Steven Meiner, Mayor of Miami Beach (cbsnews.com)

“This is another proactive business tool made possible by Miami Beach's leadership. It immediately eliminates overregulation and restrictions that have prevented our business community from being competitive. Now is the moment to bring the energy of live music back to Miami Beach.”

— Lyle Stern, President of the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The new deregulatory measures are temporary, so the city will need to monitor their impact and decide whether to make them permanent in the future.

The takeaway

By cutting red tape and raising occupancy limits, Miami Beach is taking a bold step to revive its commercial districts and bring back the vibrant culture of restaurants and live entertainment that residents and visitors have been missing. This business-friendly approach aims to fill vacant storefronts and breathe new life into the city's iconic streets.