Miami Beach to study regulations on hostels and transitional housing after Bikini Hostel controversy

The Land Use and Sustainability Committee on June 10 directed staff to study and return with zoning‑focused options to limit or regulate hostel and transitional housing uses after a high‑profile situation involving the Bikini Hostel.

Committee members sought ways to avoid future placements of people without adequate supportive services in establishments that operate as hostels or transient lodging while still preserving legitimate hostel uses for budget travelers. City Attorney staff told the committee that state law broadly preempts local regulation of the business operations of public lodging establishments (hotels, motels and hostels), which constrains direct operational controls such as guest‑screening or mandatory disclosure requirements.

Given the state preemption, staff recommended focusing on land‑use tools: zoning where hostels are permitted (by zone or overlay), special‑use permitting, and amortization or phase‑out strategies for existing hostels in sensitive locations. Commissioners also proposed disclosure policies for booking pages or on‑site notices to inform prospective guests about mixed client types; staff said they would review whether such disclosure requirements are preempted by state law.

The committee directed staff to prepare draft legislation and zoning options, and to return with a proposal in September; staff also said they would coordinate with the city attorney on preemption limits so any proposed local requirements would be legally defensible.

Public commenters urged immediate disclosure and safeguards; committee members asked staff to draft language that balances public safety, tenants’ needs and legitimate tourism uses of hostels.

The committee agreed to continue policy work and examine whether targeted restrictions, notification requirements or zoning limits could reduce repeat occurrences of unsuitable placements without violating state preemption.