Balloons, glitter and plastic decorations are banned in public parks, beaches, marine facilities and marinas.
The City of Miami Beach is committed to protecting and preserving the environment. It is well-established that balloons, glitter and plastic decorations released into the environment pose a threat to marine life, birds, and other wildlife through ingestion or entanglement.
Seeking to keep local waterways clean as well as protect birds and marine life, the Miami Beach City Commission passed and Ordinance No. 2025-4774 to ban balloons, along with plastic and metallic confetti, glitter, tinsel, synthetic flower petals and mylar streamers, in public marinas, parks and beaches. By adhering to these Ordinances, together, we can ensure that our city remains a beautiful, safe, and thriving community for generations to come.
An educational written warning will be provided to any person or entity with prohibited items at any public marina, marine facility, public park or beach unless they’ve had a previous warning within the preceding 12 months. Fines range from $250-$5,000 as per Section 82-74 of the City Code.
These seemingly harmless party decorations are detrimental for several reasons:
Plastic party decorations can litter beaches, parks, and urban spaces if thrown away carelessly or blown away by the wind. Additionally, these decorations contribute to the ongoing issues of plastic and microplastic pollution, which pose a threat to marine and wildlife. It’s important to explore more sustainable options to help protect our environment for future generations.
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