Parking in Surfside has changed, and it can feel confusing to keep up. Between the new digital resident permits and added street restrictions, you just want to park without stress or tickets. This guide breaks down what you need to do, where you can park, and how to handle guests and meters. Let’s dive in.

What changed in Surfside parking

Surfside introduced a digital resident permit program that registers your license plate instead of relying only on hang tags. You start on the Town’s Permit Registration page, which links you to the CivicSmart portal and gives step-by-step instructions. Residents were asked to keep displaying any current hang tag for a short transition period after the announcement to avoid confusion. See the Town’s permit registration guidance.

The Town also updated residential-district rules to prioritize safety and emergency access. Several narrow streets now have no-parking segments, and non-resident paid or one-hour zones were added along select avenues. Review the updated residential parking rules and streets affected.

How to get your resident permit

Follow these steps to register and avoid citations:

1. Create your account. Go to the Town’s Permit Registration page and follow the instructions to sign up and add your vehicle by plate number. Double-check every character to prevent misreads during enforcement.
2. Register your plates. Add your household’s vehicles. The Town notes you can update your registered vehicles a limited number of times per year, up to six.
3. During the transition. If you still have a Town-issued hang tag, keep displaying it for the period the Town specified while your digital permit is active.
4. Gather documents. Be ready to provide what the portal requests. Typical items include a photo ID, proof of Surfside address, and vehicle registration in your name. Because the Town does not publish a final checklist online, confirm the current document list with the Parking Division or the portal before visiting Town Hall. You can find contacts on the Parking Division page.

Guest parking and placards

The Town states residents and their guests may park at no charge and with no time limit when lawfully parked in residential areas. During the transition, guest placards are available in person at Town Hall Window 1, and the Town has said a virtual guest registration system is in development. Policies can change quickly, so confirm how many guest placards you can obtain and whether a digital guest option is now active. See the Town’s update on guest placards and the digital rollout.

Meters, rates, and municipal lots

Surfside uses multi-space meters and pay-by-plate options, including PayByPhone. The standard public rate is $5 per hour with a three-hour maximum that is not renewable. Some business-district blocks have special rules, so always check posted signs. For current rates and time limits, visit the Town’s Parking Rates page.

The Town operates on-street metered parking and several municipal lots. Portions of certain lots may be reserved for Town employees or special use at specific times, and unauthorized vehicles may be ticketed and towed. The Town posts notices when lot rules change, such as the update for the lot at 93rd Street and Collins Avenue. Review the Town’s lot notice example and always follow on-site signage.

Streets to know in residential areas

As of the June 2025 update, there is no parking between Harding and Abbott on 88th Street, 89th Street, and 91st to 93rd Streets. Paid and one-hour time-limited zones for non-residents are posted along Abbott, Byron, and Carlyle Avenues. Residents and registered guests may park free and without a time limit when lawfully parked, but only where parking is allowed and when your plate or placard is properly recognized by the Town’s system. Always verify the sign at your exact space.

Enforcement, tickets, and tows

Surfside announced enhanced enforcement to protect pedestrian safety and to keep emergency routes clear. Common violations include blocking crosswalks, parking too close to stop signs, facing the wrong direction, or obstructing access. Read the Town’s enforcement notice for seasonal emphasis and reminders about common citations. See Surfside’s enforcement update.

If you receive a ticket, payments and hearing requests are handled through the Miami-Dade Clerk system. You typically have 30 days to pay or contest. Disabled-space violations carry significant fines. Visit the Miami-Dade Clerk parking citations page for payment options, contest instructions, and fee details.

Vehicles displaying valid disabled placards are exempt from payment in Surfside but must still follow posted time limits. Misuse or parking illegally in a disabled space can result in substantial penalties. Review the Town’s Frequently Asked Questions for local rules.

Quick checklist

• Register your plates using the Town’s digital permit instructions.
• Keep any existing hang tag visible during the transition if the Town directs it.
• Confirm guest parking: placard pickup at Town Hall Window 1 or virtual registration if launched.
• Verify rates and time limits before you pay. Standard is $5 per hour with a three-hour maximum.
• Always read the sign at your exact space and watch for lot-specific notices.
• Save the Town’s Parking Division page and the Miami-Dade Clerk link for tickets.

Moving to or selling in Surfside

Daily details like parking affect how you live, host guests, and show your home. If you are planning a move or sale in Surfside, you deserve a local advisor who helps you navigate both the big picture and the small stuff. For tailored guidance on neighborhoods, condos, and waterfront homes, connect with Julian Calderin for boutique, results-focused support.

FAQs

How do Surfside resident permits work in 2025?

• Register your vehicle by plate through the Town’s digital process and follow any transition steps for existing hang tags outlined on the Town’s permit page.

Do Surfside residents pay meters in residential zones?

• The Town states residents and their guests may park at no charge and without a time limit when lawfully parked in residential areas, provided vehicles are properly registered or placarded.

Where can my Surfside guests park?

• Guests may park in residential areas when lawfully parked; during the transition, guest placards are available at Town Hall Window 1 and a virtual option is planned, so confirm the current process with the Town.

What are Surfside parking rates and limits?

• Standard public parking is $5 per hour with a three-hour maximum that is not renewable, and some business-district blocks have special rules.

How do I pay or contest a Surfside parking ticket?

• Use the Miami-Dade Clerk system to pay or request a hearing, typically within 30 days, and review fee details on the Clerk’s site.

Are disabled placards free to park in Surfside?

• Vehicles with valid disabled placards are exempt from payment but must still follow posted time limits, and violations in disabled spaces carry substantial penalties.