Miami building permits
Building permits in Miami are issued by the City of Miami Building Department1. You can apply and request inspections online through apps.miamigov.com1.
On this page
Building department contacts
City of Miami Building Department1
Building permits
- Apply online
- apps.miamigov.com1
- Phone
- (305) 416-11001
- [email protected]1
- Address
- Miami Riverside Center, 444 SW 2nd Ave, 4th floor, Miami 331301
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 7:30 AM-4:30 PM; all building functions close to the public at 3:30 PM1
- Inspections
- Online via iBuild or call 311; (305) 416-1100 Option 22
City of Miami Office of Zoning3
Zoning and planning
- Phone
- (305) 416-1495 (alternate); 3113
- [email protected]3
- Address
- Miami Riverside Center (MRC), 444 SW 2nd Avenue, 2nd Floor, Miami 331303
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-5:00 PM; zoning functions close to the public at 2:30 PM3
City of Miami Building Department, Unsafe Structures (work without permit complaints)4
Code enforcement
- Phone
- (305) 416-1177; anonymous reports via 3114
- [email protected]4
City of Miami Code Compliance Department5
Code enforcement
- Phone
- (305) 416-20875
- [email protected]5
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: miami.gov6.
Building codes in force in Miami
These are the model codes Miami enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Florida building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective | Adopted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | Florida Building Code- Building / 8th Edition (2023)1 | 20217 | 1 | Florida Building Commission8 |
| International Residential Code (IRC) | Florida Building Code- Residential / 8th Edition (2023)1 | 20219 | 1 | Florida Building Commission8 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | Florida Building Code- Existing Building / 8th Edition (2023)1 | 202110 | 1 | Florida Building Commission8 |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | Florida Building Code- Plumbing / 8th Edition (2023)1 | 202111 | 1 | Florida Building Commission8 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | Florida Building Code- Mechanical / 8th Edition (2023)1 | 202112 | 1 | Florida Building Commission8 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | Florida Building Code- Fuel Gas / 8th Edition (2023)1 | 202113 | 1 | Florida Building Commission8 |
| Energy code, residential | Florida Building Code- Energy Conservation / 8th Edition (2023)1 | 202114 | 1 | Florida Building Commission8 |
| Energy code, commercial | Florida Building Code- Energy Conservation / 8th Edition (2023)1 | 202114 | 1 | Florida Building Commission8 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | National Electrical Code (NEC) / (NFPA 70) / 2020 Edition1 | 20201 | 1 | Florida Building Commission8 |
| State code | Florida Fire Prevention Code / 8th Edition1 | 202115 | 1 | State Fire Marshal16 |
| State code | Florida Building Code- Accessibility / 8th Edition (2023)1 | – | 1 | Florida Building Commission8 |
Transition rules. Permit application date controls the code edition8.
Miami building permit fees
Fees come from the Exhibit C Fee Schedule, Building, Chapters 10, 17, 20 (Resolution R-26-0200)17, effective 18.
How valuation is set. Estimated construction cost (labor and materials)17.
Each line is worded as in Miami’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical - Residential up to 3 units (estimated additions new or remodeling construction costs) | Based on project valuation | Residential up to 3 units (estimated additions new or remodeling construction costs) 0.50%18 |
| Residential less than estimated $2,500.00 | Flat fee | b. Residential less than estimated $2,500.00 $45.0018 |
| Commercial / Multi-Family equal to or less than $30,000,000.00 of construction costs | Based on project valuation | c. Commercial / Multi-Family equal to or less than $30,000,000.00 of construction costs 1.00%18 |
| Minimum Permit Fee | Minimum fee | d. Minimum Permit Fee $110.0018 |
| All Permits non-refundable application fee | Flat fee | cc. All Permits non-refundable application fee $40.0018 |
| Solid Waste Residential Surcharge per $100.00 of estimated cost of construction | State surcharge | g. Solid Waste Residential Surcharge per $100.00 of estimated cost of construction $0.22 Minium Allowed $26.00 Maximum Allowed $600.0018 |
| Energy Conservation Surcharge, New Construction or Addition per square foot | Per square foot | i. Energy Conservation Surcharge New Construction or Addition per square foot $0.1118 |
| Dry run/Up-Front per $1,000.00 of estimated construction value | Plan review | l. Dry run/Up-Front per $1,000.00 of estimated construction value $2.8018 |
| Revisions / Re-works per discipline after 2nd review | Plan review | n. Revisions / Re-works per discipline after 2nd review $56.0018 |
| Re-inspection fee | Re-inspection | z. Re-inspection fee $57.0018 |
| Expired Permits Extension | Flat fee | x. Expired Permits Extension $100.0018 |
| Completion of Expired Permit | Based on project valuation | y. Completion of Expired Permit for first $1,000.00 of value of remaining work $32.00 Each additional $1,000.00 $16.0018 |
| Extension of Expired Permit Application (older than 180 days) SFH/Duplex/Triplex | Flat fee | v. Extension of Expired Permit Application (older than 180 days) SFH/Duplex/Triplex $100.0018 |
| CO / CC Residential per unit | – | s. CO / CC Residential per unit $105.0018 |
| Work without a Permit (after the fact) base fee plus multiplier | Work started without a permit | f. Work without a Permit (after the fact) base fee plus: $110.00 Homestead Property (Residential) 2x base fee All other Properties (Commercial) 4x base fee18 |
| Case initiation fee for work without a Permit & Unsafe Structures | Work started without a permit | ll. Case initiation fee for work without a Permit & Unsafe Structures $500.0018 |
| Change of architect, engineer, contractor per Permit | Flat fee | dd. Change of architect, engineer, contractor per Permit $100.0018 |
| Replacement of lost permit card / plan duplicates per sheet | Flat fee | hh. Replacement of lost permit card / plan duplicates per sheet $17.0018 |
| Overtime inspections rate per hour | After-hours inspection | fff. Overtime inspections rate per hour $225.0018 |
| Private Provider credit | – | j. Private Provider: Regular Fee with credit for building/ trade Permit fee line: 1/318 |
| File search (administrative services) | Flat fee | File search $44.0018 |
How to get a building permit in Miami
- Create an online application in the iBuild portal (building permits)20
- Pay upfront fees if applicable20
- Upload drawings and documents to ProjectDox (ePlan)20
- Permitting Coordinator reviews the application for acceptance20
- Plan review; respond to corrections and resubmit20
- Pull the permit in iBuild and pay permit fees20
- Keep permit card and approved plans on site during work20
- Request inspections to close the permit20
- Apply online
- Yes6
- Over-the-counter permits
- Walk-Thru Express same-day in-person review for small residential projects (e.g., fences 6 ft or under, driveways, windows/doors/shutters, roofing, kitchen/bath remodels, interior demolition, prefabricated sheds, MEP repairs)19
- Posting the permit
- Permit card and approved plans must be on site20
Permit expiration and extensions
- Extensions
- Expired permits with total job cost $10,000 or less can be extended online in iBuild6
Inspections in Miami
Miami’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Inspections for all phases of construction; required inspections are listed on the permit2
- Owner-builders request only the building inspection; trade subcontractors request their own2
- Virtual inspections available for eligible permits2
- How to schedule
- Online through iBuild (up to five days in advance) or call 3112
- Re-inspection fee
- z. Re-inspection fee $57.0018
- After the final inspection
- Certificate of Occupancy (new construction/change of use) or Certificate of Completion (remodels, renovations, shell buildings)21
Building without a permit in Miami
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it |
|---|---|---|
| Higher permit fee City of Miami Code Sec. 10-18; Sec. 10-4 | Work commenced before obtaining a required permit; Homestead vs. non-Homestead/commercial17 | 2x (Homestead residential) or 4x (other/commercial) plus $110.00 base fee18 |
| Investigation fee City of Miami Code Sec. 10-18 (Exhibit C) | Work without a permit and unsafe structures cases after notice of violation17 | $500.00 case initiation fee18 |
| Stop-work order | Property where work without permit is found after a complaint inspection4 | Violation issued; all work must stop until properly permitted4 |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes22
- Homeowner electrical work
- No22
- Homeowner plumbing work
- No22
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Own use and occupancy, not intended for sale; proof of residence required22
- Sale or rental limits
- No more than one master permit per owner in any 24-month period22
- Affidavit or declaration
- Yes22
Florida's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Florida permit guide.
Florida rules that also apply in Miami
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Florida
- Contractor licensing in Florida
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Florida
- Private plan review and inspections in Florida
Sources
- BuildingCity of Miami, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Schedule a Building InspectionCity of Miami, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- ZoningCity of Miami, Office of ZoningChecked November 6, 2026
- Report Work Without PermitCity of Miami, Building Department, Unsafe StructuresChecked November 7, 2026
- Code ComplianceCity of Miami, Code Compliance DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Building FAQsCity of Miami, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Analysis of Changes for the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code: BuildingState of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Building CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Fla. Stat. § 553.73 (2026 Florida Statutes)State of Florida, The Florida Senate (Florida Statutes)Published 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Analysis of Changes for the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Codes: ResidentialState of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Building CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Analysis of Changes 8th Edition: Existing BuildingState of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Building CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Analysis of Changes 8th Edition: PlumbingState of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Building CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Analysis of Changes 8th Edition: MechanicalState of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Building CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Analysis of Changes 8th Edition: Fuel GasState of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Building CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Significant Provision Changes in 8th Edition (2023) FBC, Energy ConservationState of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Building CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Rule 69A-60.003, NFPA 1, the Fire Code, Florida 2021 Edition, AdoptedState of Florida, Department of State, Florida Administrative CodeEffective December 31, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Fla. Stat. § 633.202 (2026 Florida Statutes)State of Florida, The Florida Senate (Florida Statutes)Published 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- City of Miami Building Permit Fee ScheduleCity of Miami, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Exhibit C Fee Schedule, Building, Chapters 10, 17, 20 (File No. 19087, Exhibit C Sub)City of Miami (City Commission Resolution R-26-0200), Building Department fee scheduleAdopted April 23, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Walk-Thru Express (Residential)City of Miami, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Guide to Getting a PermitCity of Miami, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Get a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Completion (CC)City of Miami, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Become an Owner BuilderCity of Miami, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026