In Miami Beach, relaxing in a hammock between two palm trees might feel like the perfect way to unwind — but it’s also against the rules.
The Hidden Ban
Though not widely known among residents and tourists, the use of hammocks in Miami Beach parks has been prohibited for years. City officials confirm that attaching ropes or chains to public trees violates longstanding ordinances aimed at deterring illegal camping.
According to Miami Beach spokesperson Melissa Berthier, the hammock ban is part of a broader strategy to prevent people from avoiding paid accommodations by camping in public spaces like parks, beaches, or roadsides. “More recently, camping by unhoused individuals in our City has become a bigger problem,” Berthier said in a statement. “We have had a camping ordinance prohibiting this activity for more than two decades, and have more recently amended it to address current circumstances.”
A Point of Tension
The city’s anti-camping ordinance does not explicitly mention hammocks. Instead, it broadly prohibits “lodging or residing in an outdoor space as evidenced by …lying, sitting, or resting upon or under any item or material.” That broad language has sparked concerns that even laying on a blanket or enjoying a picnic could technically fall under the same ban.
Though enforcement appears inconsistent — with some hammock users continuing the practice unchallenged — the regulation has been cited in recent park ranger interactions, signaling a renewed push by the city to enforce the rule more strictly.
Legal Landscape
Officials say their hands are tied when it comes to revising or relaxing the rule. A 2024 Florida state law prohibits municipalities from allowing public camping, which limits local governments’ flexibility. Miami Beach Commissioner Tanya Bhatt addressed these constraints in a recent email, stating that city policies are now subject to state authority.
Miami-Dade County also enforces a similar ban on hammocks and slacklines when they’re attached to public trees, citing concerns over potential tree damage. However, city regulations do allow attachments that are “protective or non-damaging” — a standard that recreational users often claim to follow.
Cultural Concerns
The ban on hammocks is one of several recent city actions that have drawn criticism from those who feel that Miami Beach is losing elements of its laid-back, communal culture. Other past restrictions, such as those placed on beachside drum circles, have sparked similar debates over public enjoyment and personal freedoms.
City officials maintain that the camping ban has not significantly affected residents’ recreational activities. “As far as we know, only one resident has ever objected to our regulation of camping or, specifically, hammocks,” said Berthier.
Still, as regulations tighten and enforcement increases, concerns remain about whether Miami Beach is becoming less hospitable to the small pleasures that define its unique coastal character.
