24 Oct Surfside, FL Guide (2026): Oceanfront Living, Taxes, Building Recertification and Rental Rules

Surfside, FL Guide (2026): Oceanfront Living, Taxes, Building Recertification and Rental Rules

Surfside is a small oceanfront town in Miami-Dade County, running from 87th Terrace to 96th Street between Miami Beach to the south and Bal Harbour to the north. The Town says it was founded on May 18, 1935, incorporated through the signatures of 35 members of the Surf Club, and offers a mile of public beach. The 2020 Census counted 5,689 residents. The Town’s operating tax rate for 2025–26 is 3.8830 mills. Its condo buildings follow Miami-Dade County’s recertification schedule, and the Town limits short-term rental registrations to three in any 12 months.

This guide uses official Town of Surfside, Miami-Dade County, State of Florida and federal sources, checked October 24, 2026. It is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.

On This Page

• Surfside at a glance
• The 2021 Collapse and Florida’s condo Laws
• Property taxes
• Building recertification
• Short-Term rentals
• A short history
• Nearby towns
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

Surfside at a Glance

The 2021 Collapse and Florida’s Condo Laws

On June 24, 2021, Champlain Towers South, a 12-floor condominium in Surfside, partially collapsed at about 1:30 a.m., causing mass casualties. The National Institute of Standards and Technology released technical findings on the cause on June 22, 2026. In a May 2022 special session after the collapse, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 4-D (chapter 2022-269, Laws of Florida), which created statewide milestone structural inspections for condominium and cooperative buildings three habitable stories or taller and required structural integrity reserve studies (SIRS); Miami-Dade County notes the law took effect May 26, 2022. The requirements have since been amended. Our milestone inspection and SIRS guide explains what they require of every association and what buyers should ask for.

Property Taxes

The Town set its operating tax rate at 3.8830 mills for 2025–26, down from 4.0000 in 2024–25, according to the Florida Department of Revenue. That is $3.883 for every $1,000 of taxable value, and it is only the Town’s share; your total bill also includes Miami-Dade County, the school board and other taxing districts. After a sale, the property is generally reassessed at full market (just) value as of January 1 of the following year, so the buyer does not inherit the seller’s capped assessed value; only the buyer’s own exemptions and any homestead portability benefit the buyer qualifies for apply (sections 193.155, 193.1554 and 193.1555, Florida Statutes).

Building Recertification

Miami-Dade County’s recertification program applies at 30 years and every 10 years after that. For coastal condominium and cooperative buildings three stories or taller, within three miles of the coastline and built in 1998 or later, it applies at 25 years, then every 10 years. Owners submit separate structural and electrical reports within 90 days of the notice. The county says each municipality’s building official has jurisdiction over recertifications. In Surfside, the Town Building Department publishes a recertification package (305-861-4863).

Florida also requires a SIRS at least every 10 years for condominium buildings of three or more habitable stories. As a buyer of a resale condo, you are entitled, at the seller’s expense, to the summary of the milestone inspection report (if applicable) and the association’s most recent SIRS, or a statement that the association has not completed one (section 718.503(2)(a)). Florida requires sellers of residential property to give a flood disclosure at or before signing the contract (section 689.302).

Short-Term Rentals

The Town’s short-term rental ordinance (Section 90-41.1 of the Town Code) covers single-family, two-family, multifamily and townhome dwelling units rented for one day up to six months; the ordinance does not mention condominium units by name, so confirm with the Town how it applies to a specific condo unit. Other rules:

• Each rental period needs its own registration.
• Registrations can’t be transferred, and the Town issues no more than three in a 12-month period.
• Owners must also pay resort tax.
• Fees and fines are set by Town Commission resolution.

Condominium associations may have stricter rules, so read the declaration before you buy.

A Short History

According to the Town, Surfside grew after World War II and by 1957 had outgrown its original Town Hall. It built its Community Center at 93rd Street in 1962 and renovated the current Town Hall, which also houses the Police Department, in 2001.

Ultra-Luxury Buildings in Surfside

Our private building guides cover recorded sales, current listings, fees and building history, with a confidential request form for a private report.

• The Surf Club Four Seasons Residences
• Arte Surfside by Antonio Citterio

Nearby Towns

• Bal Harbour, FL guide
• Sunny Isles Beach, FL guide
• Key Biscayne, FL guide

Before you sign, use our Florida condo due diligence checklist.

• Miami Beach, FL guide

Condo owners and buyers may also want Florida condo special assessments explained and Selling a Florida condo in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Surfside founded?

May 18, 1935, according to the Town, which says it was incorporated through the signatures of 35 members of the Surf Club.

What is the property tax rate in Surfside?

The Town’s operating rate is 3.8830 mills for fiscal year 2025–26, down from 4.0000 in 2024–25. Your total bill also includes county, school and other district rates.

Can I rent my Surfside home short term?

Only with a Town registration for each rental period (confirm with the Town for condo units), and the Town issues no more than three registrations in a 12-month period. Resort tax applies, and association rules may be stricter.

When do Surfside condo buildings need recertification?

Under Miami-Dade County’s program, at 30 years and every 10 years after; coastal condo and co-op buildings three stories or taller built in 1998 or later are due at 25 years.

Sources

Checked October 24, 2026:

• Town of Surfside: About the Town of Surfside, Short-Term Rentals and Building Department
• National Institute of Standards and Technology, Champlain Towers South Collapse investigation
• Chapter 2022-269, Laws of Florida (SB 4-D)
• Miami-Dade County, Building Recertification
• Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Population Estimates by County and Municipality (April 1, 2025)
• Florida Department of Revenue, Comparison of Taxes Levied, FY 2024-25 and 2025-26 (Miami-Dade)
• Sections 553.899, 718.112, 718.503 and 689.302, Florida Statutes (2026)

Last updated October 24, 2026. Building details come from county property records, public listings and government sources and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prices are asking prices or estimates as of the date shown. Not legal, financial or engineering advice. Full disclaimer