The City of Miami has issued a notice of violation over short-term rentals at The Club at Brickell Bay, CBS News Miami reported on October 23, 2026. The notice went to Brickell Bay Plaza Inc., which holds the building’s certificate of use. According to CBS, city officials found more than 300 vacation rentals advertised in the building, although only 30 short-term rental units are permitted. Continued non-compliance could bring fines of up to $5,000 a day, and the city set a compliance deadline of October 30.
Who is responsible? That is disputed
The Real Deal reports that inspectors also cited the condo association’s board and its attorney, and that a code enforcement hearing is tentatively set for December 9 if the association does not comply within 10 days. Citing the Miami Herald, it says about 500 of the tower’s 643 units have been converted to short-term rentals since 2020.
Developer Jerome Hollo told CBS that his companies only control first-floor commercial leasing and that the city cited his office building at 1201 Brickell by mistake. An attorney for the association said the notice was not directed at the association. In August, the association denied operating a lodging or hotel business and asked for a 90-day grace period. We found no public report yet on what happened after the October 30 deadline.
What the city requires
According to The Real Deal, rentals under 30 days need certificates of occupancy and use, a Florida lodging license, a city business tax receipt and an operational management plan. If more than 25% of a building’s units are short-term rentals, the whole building must be reclassified as transient lodging and meet the Florida Building Code requirements.
Citywide registration is on the table
District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo told CBS he wants an ordinance requiring citywide short-term rental registration, plus a dedicated task force. According to the Brickell Homeowners Association, the city commission approved his resolution on September 10, with a task force to be formed within 30 days and a report after 60 days of work. We found no report that a registration ordinance has been adopted so far.
What does this mean for you?
If you own or want to buy a condo in Miami: your own listing can look fine and the building can still be the problem. Before you host, ask for the building’s certificate of use, the condo documents and the rental rules, and find out how many short-term units the building is approved for. A seller’s “Airbnb-friendly” promise does not replace these checks.
One resident owner asked CBS whether individual owners could end up responsible for fines, and that question is still open. If you already host in a building like this, keep your licenses and records together and talk to a local attorney before the hearing date.
Sources
- CBS News Miami: Brickell condo owner calls building an “illegal hotel” as Miami issues notice of violation (October 23, 2026)
- The Real Deal (via Yahoo News): Infamous “Animal House” Brickell condo cited for illegal hotel operations (October 23, 2026)
- CBS News Miami: City says over 300 units renting illegally at Miami high-rise, but condo board disputes the claim (August 21, 2026)
- Brickell Homeowners Association: From community concern to city action (September 12, 2026)
