Building & Permitting

Permit Catalog

Do you need a permit to build or remodel in the City of Miami?

All things ePlan

See all of the City's services that are affected by our new Electronic Plan Review System, launching 10/1/18. This page is a work in a progress, more to come!

Guide to Getting a Permit

Are you looking to kick-off a major development project or renovate the interior of your residence? Or maybe you would like to expand your restaurant? This page gives general guidelines to the City's permitting process.

Planning & Zoning

A collection of services and information related to zoning questions and answers.

Appeals & Hearings

Appeal a warrant or exception, request a hearing, view the rezoning hearing schedule and more. This refers to appeals and hearing requests that can be made in relation to planning, building, and zoning permits and services.

Historically Designated Properties

All of the services that pertain to historic properties, specifically.

Inspections

Directions and forms for the various business & home inspections required in the City and beyond.

View Permit History/Permit Search

Do you need to see the full history of a permit or search for an open permit? The City of Miami offers that as an online service.

Permitting Forms & Documents

This forms library will eventually include most of the forms necessary for all permitting projects.

Request Building Records (Microfilm)

Are you buying or renovating a property? The City keeps records of all permits and plans on any property, so that buyers and owners may be informed of a building's history.

Interactive Maps & Zoning Tool

Get an Easy Permit

The Easy Permit Request program allows qualified contractors to apply,
for small projects that do not require plan review (i.e. no major construction) and immediately receive a building permit via e-mail to begin working.

Pull, Print a Permit

After receiving a Building permit approval, you need to pull your permit and print your permit card. The City of Miami now offers that service online.

Request a Fire & Life Safety Expedited Review

Have you applied for a building permit that requires a fire review, a standalone fire permit, or a fire revision to a master permit, and you want to expedite your reviews? The City of Miami provides this service in order to help speed along the permitting process.

Register as a Building Contractor

Do you want to be a builder in the City of Miami? To build or renovate properties in the City of Miami – building contractors must be registered to verify their certification.

Run a Lien or Violation Search

Are you purchasing a property and want to see if any liens and/or violations exist on it? The City of Miami makes this information public and easy to access through a lien search.

Trees

Are you planting, trimming, and and/or removing a tree(s) in the City of Miami and unsure what permit you need? These pages will help you determine the correct permit you need, and walk you through the appropriate steps in order to obtain it.

Right of Way Dedications

Are you applying for a building permit, and the plan review says you need to obtain a right-of-way dedication?

City of Miami Building Permit Fee Schedule

From Section 10-4. of the City of Miami Ordinance, this is the Building permit fee schedule.

Become an Owner Builder

In lieu of a licensed contractor, owners of residential properties may elect to do the construction work themselves, subject to certain restrictions. The City of Miami issues Owner-Builder permits for owner-occupied One-family and Two-family residential work.

Get a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) or Completion (TCC)

When a building project is close to completion and you want to gain early occupancy, you can apply for a TCO/TCC.

View Warrants & Waivers

Warrants and Waivers are special permits issued by The City. This page directs you to the currently issued warrants and waivers.

Structural Peer Review Guidelines

The purpose of the Structural Peer Review is to provide independent verification that the structural design of the Structure* is in general conformance with the requirements of the Florida Building Code, and all related structural codes and technical standards.

Add/Update a Contractor on a Building Permit

Do you need to update, change, or add a contractor to your building permit? This may apply to an application in-progress or a pulled permit.

Contractor Qualification Information

Qualifiers for contractors.

Get a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Completion (CC)

Have you recently finished a remodeling or alterations project to your home or workspace? The City of Miami issues a CO/CC to certify that a building has been completed in compliance with code.

Send Notification Letters to Neighbors

Certain permits (warrants, exceptions, special events, and more) require you to send certified letters to your abutting neighbors, HOAs and more. You can learn how to gather the appropriate addresses here.

Get a Standard Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)

Are you repairing a historic property and need a 'standard' certificate of appropriateness (COA)?

Track the Status of a Permit Application

Did you recently apply for a permit and would like to see the status of your application? The City of Miami's new online system allows you to see notes and updates from departments as they review your application.

Track Inspector Routes

Have you schedule an inspection and want to track your inspector's current route?

Get a Special Events Permit

Do you want to host a special event in the City of Miami? These instructions will show you how to apply for a special event permit and gather necessary documents.

Get Your Base Building Line Marked

Are you applying for a building permit and need the base building line marked on your survey? The City establishes base building lines to create sufficient space for traffic, lighting, safe transportation and emergencies.

Apply for UDRB Approval

Are you applying for a permit and have been told you need approval from the Urban Design Review Board? The City of Miami approves or denies projects based on the urban quality, compatibility and contribution to the architectural and social fabric of the City.

Get a Sub-Permit

Do you have a building project in-progress and need a sub-permit such as electrical, mechanical, fire, etc? These instructions explain how to get the necessary sub-permits for your project.

Get a Hydrant Flow/Fire Flow Test

Are you building new construction, creating an addition larger than 2500 square feet or a renovation greater than 25%? When applying for your building permit, you will be instructed to get a hydrant flow test in order to ensure safe and effective water flow to your building for domestic and emergency services.

Get a Floating Meter Permit

Are you doing construction or hosting a special event that requires extra water (for portable bathrooms, for instance)? If you're trying to get a floating meter, you will need a permit from The City in order to acquire County approval.

Elevators

Elevator inspections and permitting information.

Apply for Plat Approval

Did you apply for a building permit and were told that platting is required? Or, are you diving land, unifying land, closing a street or alley? Platting is required to obtain approval.

Get a Temporary Banner Permit for Construction Site or Right of Way

A Temporary Banner on a construction site/fence or a temporary banner for a special event that takes place in the right of way (such as a parade or marathon) requires a permit from the Department of Resilience and Public Works.

GIS Portal & Tools

The City's GIS Portal offers a variety of maps and tools that benefit citizens and businesses. Examples include the zoning tool, the City Officials map, Capital Improvement Projects, the Assisted Housing Map and more.

Get a Temporary Banner Permit for a Private Event

Do you need a temporary banner for an event on private property? These permits are overseen by the Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) and regulated under Chapter 62 of the City's Code (Planning and Zoning, Art. XIII).

Unsafe Structures

The City of Miami Building department enforces building activity that includes unsafe structures, work without existing or active permits, demolitions, and more.

COVID-19 Permitting Continuity

Effective April 7, 2020, the City of Miami Administration Building has closed until further notice. Permitting functions and inspection services offered here or at offsite locations has been temporarily amended. A summary of all amendments to services for the Building, Planning, Zoning, Fire-Rescue and Public Works Departments are referenced here.

Complete an Emergency Environmental Control Plan for ALF

​On March 26, 2018, Governor Rick Scott signed two bills into law, requiring Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes to have an alternate power source such as a generator(s) capable of maintaining an indoor temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, for a minimum of 96 hours (Emergency Environmental Control for Assisted Living). This page allows you to complete the form.

Get a Development Project Covenant

Are you applying for a permit and were told that you need a covenant agreement with Office of Zoning, Planning, or Housing? Are you trying to get a covenant on your property released? Common covenants include: Unity of Title, Covenant in Lieu, Single Family use, and more.

Get an Occupant Load Certificate

Do you own a place of assembly (restaurant, bar, club, etc.) and need an Occupant/Occupancy y Load Certificate? The City of Miami requires this certificate for locations/areas that are classified as an "assembly" that hosts 50 or more people in one room. You will not pass inspection and/or may be cited for operating without this certificate.