Miami court fines Omni Parking $600 for valet violations during busy event

The City of Miami held a Ticketing Appeal Hearing on May 15, 2025, to address various violations related to valet operations. The primary focus of the meeting was a case involving Omni Parking, the valet operator at a local venue, which faced fines for improper ramping and failure to display a name tag.

The hearing began with the admission of relevant video evidence and documents. The city sought a total payment of $600, which included a $500 fine for improper ramping and a $100 fine for the missing name tag. Mickey Marrero, the attorney representing Omni Parking, acknowledged the name tag violation but contested the improper ramping charge.

Marrero argued that on the day of the incident, March 8, 2025, the venue was busy, but the valet team was actively working to move cars efficiently. He explained that the presence of only two operators was typically sufficient, but the increased volume of cars led to a situation where one vehicle remained on the ramp for 21 minutes, exceeding the 10-minute limit set by city code. He emphasized that the intent of the code is to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles, which he claimed was being achieved despite the violation.

The city’s representative countered that the code is clear and does not allow for exceptions based on circumstances. The representative pointed out that the vehicle's presence for 21 minutes constituted illegal storage, regardless of the valet's intentions or efforts to manage the situation.

After reviewing the evidence and hearing both sides, the Special Master upheld the city's findings. The decision included the original fines of $600, along with an additional $50 court cost due to the violation. The Special Master noted that the responsibility for the violation lay with the valet operator, regardless of the event's busyness.

The hearing concluded with the ruling, and the next cases on the agenda were prepared for discussion. The proceedings highlighted the strict enforcement of city codes regarding valet operations and the importance of compliance to avoid penalties.