On December 14, 2022, at the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, the City Commission referred the subject discussion (C4 J) to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC).

Florida Law allows persons with disabled placards or license plates to park at on-street metered spaces for free for up to four (4) hours. However, Miami-Dade County is more accommodating. Miami-Dade County Code Section 30-43, states that neither Miami-Dade County nor any municipality or any agency shall exact any fee for parking on the public streets or highways or in any metered parking space from a driver of a vehicle with a disabled parking permit or license plate.

The use of disabled placards is an issue of concern in Miami Beach because of rampant abuse. Recently, under Ordinance No. 2022-4479, the City required persons with disabled placards or license plates to register and obtain a residential permit, issued free of charge, to park in their designated residential zone.  

The Parking Department, in cooperation with the Police Department, works to identify disabled placards that are fraudulently issued or misused.

Since the City cannot impose time restrictions based on Miami-Dade County Code, it is recommended for the City to continue its efforts toward identifying the fraudulent issuance and use of disabled placards in Miami Beach.