Miami Cites The Club at Brickell Bay for Illegal Hotel
City officials demand a halt to short-term rentals at the massive 43-story condominium complex.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Apartments
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The City of Miami has issued a formal citation against The Club at Brickell Bay for operating as an illegal hotel. The condominium, which lacks a valid Certificate of Use, faces potential daily fines of $5,000 for failing to comply with local housing regulations.
Why it matters
The city identified the illegal hotel operation as a significant life safety issue following reports of overcrowding and a recent fatal balcony fall. With over 75% of the building's units functioning as short-term rentals, local officials are forcing a shift in occupancy standards.
The 43-story complex currently features roughly 500 units functioning as short-term rentals, with some units illegally modified to house up to 14 people. Operators must reach compliance within 10 days to avoid daily penalties.
The players
The Club at Brickell Bay
This 43-story residential condominium complex is located in the Brickell neighborhood of Miami.
Bercow Radell Fernandez Larkin & Tapanes
This law firm currently represents the condo association board.
The details
Absentee investors have allegedly subdivided residential units with unpermitted walls to maximize rental capacity for nightly guests. A 19-year-old Certificate of Use document for the building was discovered to be forged, and the current condo board is comprised entirely of individuals who operate Airbnb businesses and do not live on-site.
Timeline
Short-term rental conversion began in 2020.
A visitor died after falling from a 34th-floor balcony on August 4.
The city ordered a cessation of rentals under 30 days on August 11.
The code enforcement citation was mailed on October 21.
A code enforcement hearing is tentatively scheduled for December 9.
Culture Shift
This enforcement action highlights a growing tension in dense urban centers between long-term residential availability and the proliferation of transient short-term rentals. It marks a pushback against the transformation of multi-family dwellings into commercial lodging operations.
Residents and those seeking housing in Brickell may see a sudden reduction in available short-term rental listings as the building is forced into compliance. Occupants should monitor further notices regarding the condo association's status and safety mandates.
The takeaway
Property owners and condo boards must ensure their operational permits align strictly with municipal zoning laws to avoid severe financial liabilities. Compliance with life safety codes remains the primary requirement for maintaining residential housing status in high-density markets.
What happens next
A formal Code Enforcement Board hearing is tentatively set for December 9 to address the ongoing violations and potential penalties.
Further reading
Learn more about local housing regulations and city guidelines on our Apartments section.
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Should local governments strictly ban short-term rentals in residential buildings to ensure community safety?
