Over 75 years ago, Village founders thoughtfully master-planned a model community that has evolved into an internationally renowned, must-visit destination. A shining enclave at the northern tip of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour Village blends natural beauty with impeccable style. A mere one-square-mile of sand and palm trees tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the Village holds a singular appeal for the world’s most discerning residents and travelers seeking high-end shopping, five-star hotels, fine dining restaurants, a secluded beach, and more. The warm weather and breathtaking beaches allow residents and guests to enjoy the outdoors year-round, with many outdoor events and amenities.
Village operations and decisions are driven by the Bal Harbour Experience. As such, the Village Council and staff regularly review the Village’s Code of Ordinances in an effort to improve the quality of life for those living and visiting Bal Harbour. Amendments or new ordinances are then brought to the Village Council for review and public discussion. The goal of these ordinances is to preserve t the high quality of life found in Bal Harbour.
The Bal Harbour Experience
The priorities and goals of the Village Manager’s office are aligned with the Bal Harbour Mission, Vision, and Values, in order to strive towards delivering the Bal Harbour Experience to our residents and visitors.
The Bal Harbour Experience was formally adopted by the Village Council in 2018, and has been periodically redefined since then. It is that distinctive feeling one experiences when living in or visiting our unique, exclusive, curated, and refined community. Developing funding strategies, initiatives and programming that will further this vision are the focus of program initiatives and the budget development process. The collective vision should drive decision-making for the Village into the future.
Ordinances Preserving Quality of Life
Proposed Ordinances
Ordinance ensuring Dignified and Respectful Housing (banning “Poor Doors”)
In its 2023 Session, the Florida Legislature adopted the “Live Local Act of 2023” for the stated purpose of promoting the development and availability of affordable housing in the State. The Governor signed the bill into law on March 29, 2023.
The Village seeks to amend Chapter 21 by defining terms and revising regulations and procedures to implement the requirements of the Live Local Act, as it may be amended, for the period of time in which it is effective.
The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide uniformity, clarity and predictability to the Village’s implementation of the Act, and the Village therefore determines that it is appropriate for all applications for LLA Development to be processed in accordance with the regulations herein, regardless of the timing of such application or submission. Also, any application for LLA Development submitted after the effective date of the Act but before the effective date of this Ordinance shall be subject and processed pursuant to this Ordinance.
Ocean Front District Zoning
Early last year, the Village began to address Code provisions that were outdated, required updating or addressed matters of concern to the quality of life of our residents. These additional Code revisions are being recommended to continue to update “outdated” Code provisions. These initial Code amendment proposals are general Code updates to the definition of Floor Area Ratio (FAR), and PD Planned Development District. In light of the growing trend of further state preemption laws, it is advisable to continue to review our zoning code and make the necessary amendments to bring them up to standards, address resiliency where needed and implement protections to the character of our community and the quality of life of our residents.
Off-Street Parking Ordinances
Early last year, the Village began to address Code provisions that were outdated, required updating or addressed matters of concern to the quality of life of our residents.
These additional Code revisions are being recommended to continue to update “outdated” Code provisions. These initial Code amendment proposals are general Code updates to the definition of Floor Area Ratio (FAR), Site Plan submittal requirements and off-street parking and driveway designs.
In light of the growing trend of further state preemption laws, it is advisable to continue to review our zoning code and make the necessary amendments to bring them up to standards, address resiliency where needed and implement protections to the character of our community and the quality of life of our residents.
Amending Chapter 11 “Nuisances,” Article II “Noise” of The Code Of Ordinance
On December 18, 2018, at the Regular Council Meeting, the Village Council approved amendments to Section 11-32 which regulates construction noise in the Business District.
On June 20, 2023, the Village Council approved amendments to Chapter 11 of the Village Code, which regulates nuisances such as construction noises, and prohibited exterior construction noises on Saturdays. Additionally, the proposed amendments only applied to the residential areas of the Village. The regulation of these activities in the “B” Business District listed in Section 11-32 of the Village Code were not affected by these amendments.
The proposed amendments to Section 11-32 of the Village Code seek to bring the Business District into alignment with the rest of the Village. This action is based on feedback from the community, who have expressed a desire not to have construction noise during the weekends or during hours which affect the overall quality of life. This is also more relevant to the Business District now, as the construction activity associated with the Bal Harbour Shops expansion has shifted from 96th Street to the north in much closer proximity to the residential community. The proposed amendments for the Business District seek to bring the noise regulations in line with the rest of the Village. The desire is to provide a respite from noisy work, which affects the overall quality of life for residents.
Passed Ordinances
Village Park Rules & Smoking in Public Parks Ordinance
In May 2023, the Village Council passed Ordinance No. 2023-0648 establishing a basis of regulations that will ensure that Village parks are protected and maintained to continue providing a beautiful and safe environment for all residents and guests to enjoy. The intention of this ordinance is to establish general rules for all parks in Bal Harbour, which are defined in the ordinance as all open public spaces within the Village.
This includes the Bal Harbour Waterfront Park, the Bal Harbour Jetty, the cutwalk and area beneath the Herman B. Fultz bridge, the jogging path, the beach path, the Greenspace at the entrance of the gated community, the pedestrian beach access crossing south of Oceana, the greenspace on Collins Avenue in front of Oceana, and Founders Circle.
Included within the park rules is the prohibition of smoking in public parks. Secondhand smoke can be harmful in many ways, and can cause cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems. Bal Harbour Village wants to ensure that our parks are a safe environment for everyone to enjoy. Therefore, smoking is now prohibited in any public park. This ordinance is now in effect with a village-wide educational campaign.
In June 2023, the Village Council approved Ordinance No. 2023-0649 providing the Village with a framework by which the Police Department will be able to effectively address individuals who are violating laws and/or causing threats to public safety while protecting lawful expression and activity protected by law. The Ordinance provides for an appeal process and guidance for the duration for which an individual may be ordered to stay away from Village property.
Saturday Noise Nuisance Ordinance
In June 2023, the Village Council passed Ordinance 2023-0651 to prohibit underground structured parking for principal residential uses in all zoning districts, and to require the elevation of the lowest finished level of underground structured parking for principal nonresidential uses to be at least one foot above the water table.
Demolition Standards Ordinance
In October 2023, the Village Council passed Ordinance 2023-0653 amending the Village Code to modify Chapter 6 ” Buildings and Building Regulations” by amending Article V, ” Demolition of Structures”; and by amending and creating a new section of Article VII of Chapter 6 ” Construction Site Operations”. These amendments and new section allow for construction site operations to be more extensively governed.
Arts & Culture
Elevated experiences and unhurried bliss are the distinctive hallmarks of our Village. Residents and guests enjoy curated events designed for guests of all ages. Creative public art features, our acclaimed Museum Access Program featuring curated tours, culinary festivals, movies under the stars, and excursions to limited engagement events set our enclave apart in delivering a tranquil and refined lifestyle.
As an avid supporter of the arts, Bal Harbour Village has become synonymous with curated art activations and exclusive access to arts and culture in South Florida. Through the Unscripted Art Access and Art in Public Spaces programs, residents and hotel guests have enjoyed unparalleled access to the visual arts. The Unscripted Art Access program provides residents and hotel guests with complimentary year-round admission to the leading South Florida museums and cultural institutions including the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), and the Rubell Museum.
Parks & Public Spaces
Bal Harbour Village blends and balances sun and sea among a breathtaking urban South Florida setting. Public spaces range from the beach to green spaces to the newly opened Bal Harbour Waterfront Park. Upcoming projects such as a new jetty and Village Hall will add and enhance these current spaces.
The newly opened Bal Harbour Waterfront Park eatures an open lawn area for passive activities, strolling paths, meditative spaces, progressive exercise zones, and a “Mother Earth, Cycle of Life”-themed playground designed by award-winning Danish firm, Monstrum. The 1.5 acre property also includes a community center with a terrace garden, a splash pad, and additional Raymond Jungles-designed landscaping with a forest-style canopy that leads visitors into the new community center.
The intimate, three-story jewel has a mirrored-glass design which reflects the park from the outside and brings nature inside. This 15,000 square foot facility houses multi-purpose event spaces, an indoor toddler playground, as well as the administrative offices for the Recreation, Arts & Culture department. A third-floor landscaped and covered roof deck will have magnificent water and city views and can be multifunctional for use as a party and pre-function space or for relaxation.
Public Safety
The Bal Harbour Police Department is centered around a community policing model, where our officers are staffed, trained and motivated to provide excellent service and safety to our residents and guests in a pleasant, engaging, and friendly manner. The visible presence of our officers, investment in state-of-the-art technology and incorporation of innovative policing strategies ensure that our community remains safe at all times, as well as a recognized leader and model in public safety.
To maintain the feeling of a safe and healthy environment for those living, working and visiting our village. We resolve to provide this atmosphere by preventing and detecting crime wherever possible, by the proper enforcement of laws and by working as partners with Federal, State and local law enforcement to increase the safety of our community at large.