Condos, flood zones and rental rules
If you buy a condo in Miami Beach, start with the building. After the 2021 collapse in neighboring Surfside, Florida passed laws requiring milestone structural inspections for older condo buildings three stories and taller, plus structural integrity reserve studies. These can raise dues or lead to special assessments. Ask for the milestone report, the reserve study, recent board minutes and the budget before you sign. Lenders also review the building, so ask your lender early whether it will finance a unit there.
Miami Beach is low-lying, so check the flood zone, the elevation certificate and flood insurance quotes for any address. Florida sellers must give buyers a written flood disclosure covering known flood damage and past claims. The city bans rentals shorter than six months and a day in all single-family homes and in many apartment buildings, depending on zoning. Check the city rules and the condo rules before you buy with rental plans. The 33154 ZIP code also covers Surfside, Bal Harbour and Bay Harbor Islands.
A historic district of 1930s-era buildings in South Beach.
A paved path runs along the ocean behind the dunes.
City trolley routes run from South Beach to North Beach.
Questions for your shortlist
- What do the city zoning and the condo rules say about renting the unit, and for how long?
- What does the drive to work look like at the hours you will actually travel?
- What is the full monthly cost, with taxes, insurance and any HOA or CDD fees?
- How old are the roof, A/C and water heater, and does your budget cover the repairs?
Official resources
This guide is a starting point, not a property inspection, a neighborhood ranking or a promise about any address. Check each home’s costs, condition, flood zone and community rules before you decide. Official resources reviewed October 2026; services and links can change.
