Miami Beach advances permanent runner registration and expands small‑business concierge services

City staff briefed the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee on expanded small‑business outreach and permitting assistance and the committee directed the administration to develop a permanent registration for third‑party permit expediters (commonly called "runners").

Building and economic development staff said they have reinstated twice‑weekly “walk‑through” days, expanded business concierge and licensing events to quarterly, and added early‑start permitting options. Staff gave an example of a yogurt shop that applied and received its permit and opened within two weeks using a walk‑through day; they described a planned concierge service that will act as a single point of contact for small business applicants and help shepherd owners through permitting, inspections and permit filings.

Committee members and staff also discussed recurring complaints that some unlicensed or unregistered expediters and neighborhood helpers give incorrect advice, leading to later enforcement and fines. Building staff described a proposed registration program for runners so the city can identify and, where appropriate, discipline or exclude bad actors; registered runners would be visible to the public. The administration said it will prepare a local technical communication (LTC) or handbook covering event calendars, concierge services, and how to check whether a permit expediter is registered.

The committee voted to return the items with a favorable recommendation and to direct administration to develop the runner registration program and to produce the outreach handbook. Staff will prepare the permanent registration for future commission approval and disseminate the outreach materials to partner organizations, leasing agents and community groups.