About The Town of Surfside, Florida • The Town by the Sea

About the Town of Surfside

Surfside Land Area: .87 square miles in Dade County
Surfside Population:  in 2007 about 5,750
General Characteristics: Surfside occupies a choice location in Miami-Dade. The small community -- only nine blocks long and ten blocks wide at its largest point -- is nestled between Miami Beach and Bal Harbour, the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The ocean, the Bal Harbour Shops, movies, parks and an elementary school are within walking distance for the town's 5,000+ residents.

Recreation: The ocean, the Bal Harbour Shops, movies, parks and an elementary school are within walking distance for the town's 4,500 residents. Surfside has its own wonderful business and commercial district with fine restaurants, all reasonably priced, and a great variety of over 100 stores, shops and boutiques.

Surfside's Two-block-long business district, which was recently renovated with new sidewalks and landscaping, is along Harding Avenue. It has a variety of businesses, professional offices and restaurants. Ruth K. Broad/Bay Harbor Elementary School, which moved into a new facility Two years ago, serves Surfside, Bay Harbor Islands, Bal Harbour and parts of surrounding municipalities. Graduating sixth graders go on to Nautilus Middle School in Miami Beach and Miami Beach High.

Some of Surfside's streets are named after famous writers such as Byron, Carlyle, Dickens, Emerson and Hawthorne. Recently, the town renamed 95th Street Isaac Bashevis Singer Boulevard in honor of the Jewish writer who lived there until his death.

In the past five years, young families have been moving in, replacing older folks from the Northeast who vacationed and ultimately retired there. The city commission reflects that change, with a young mayor and new attitude. Residents, under the banner of Team Surfside, are involved in several projects, including beach clean-ups, international friendship exchanges and volunteering to help residents in emergencies, such as hurricane evacuation. These activities promote neighborhood cohesiveness and pride.

All of the homes, apartments, Condominiums , hotels and resorts in in the city of Surfside are within walking distance of world class shopping, fantastic public beaches, a number of public parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, and recreational facilities, and so much more.  As a place to live, or as a destination for visitors of all ages, Surfside is amongst the world's best places to be.

History of the Town of Surfside

Founded on May 18, 1935, Surfside was incorporated through the signatures of only 35 people, members of the Surf Club, a private club in Town.

Surfside began to take off after World War II and by 1957, had outgrown its original Town Hall which was in the middle of the current business district. Town Hall, completely renovated in 2001, is the center of municipal operations.  The new facilities serve as a hub of public services, and include the Town Commission chambers, the offices of the Town Manager, Town Clerk, the Solid Waste Department, Water and Sewer Department, Public Works Department and the Police Department. Surfside's new Town Hall and Police Station has already become a widely acclaimed and respected public facility, and it will serve our community for many years to come.

In 1962, Surfside built the Community Center, on the ocean at 93 Street. This unique, multi-purpose facility houses the Surf-Bal-Bay Library, the Tourist Bureau and the Recreation Department and includes an Olympic size swimming pool, a toddlers' pool, public beach access, a snack bar, meeting rooms and an auditorium for shows, special events and receptions. The Town recently purchased a lot next to the Community Center to insure that there will be additional open space oceanfront property for the future of the community.  The Community Center is open 7 days a week, is used for many activities and functions day and night, and is a favorite of residents and visitors of all ages.

While the Recreation Department is housed in the Community Center, Surfside has several other community recreational facilities including the Tennis Center, Surfside Park and Hawthorne Park Tot Lot, all of which have been extensively renovated in the last few years.

While all of these community assets stand out on their own, the thing that makes Surfside most impressive is its strong and consistent commitment to the quality of life of its residents. Old and new houses are mixed together in a quiet, peaceful and relaxed neighborhood setting. The Condominiums and hotels along the oceanfront on A1A are not permitted to exceed 12 stories in height. This last covenant in the Town's charter is the key element to maintaining Surfside's tranquil, quaint and peaceful disposition.

The present Mayor of Surfside and Town Commission have enacted zoning policies and ordinances that have protected the character of the community. The harm and hazards associated with over development have been avoided. The Mayor and Commission have not granted even a single height or density variance during their tenure. In addition to effective growth management and zoning policies the town's officials have also implemented traffic control measures that provide high levels of peace and protection to all residents and visitors in the town.

The efficiency and effectiveness of Surfside's town services is at an all time high. The town's sanitation services are perhaps the very best in America. Garbage and trash is collected from all residences, businesses, and public areas six days a week. Emergency police response time is approximately one minute. Entertainment and recreation programs are offered throughout the year. The town operates on a balanced budget, and the property tax rate has not been increased one bit for over a decade. This setting has produced pride in the community's record of positive results and achievement in the public interest.

No matter whether you are a long-time resident of the Town or a new visitor, one thing ties everyone together while they are in Surfside, you can call Surfside home. You will find Surfside's local services to be amongst the best in America and you will enjoy the comfort and attractiveness of the community.