Miami Building Permit Requirements & Checklist 2026

Permit Types by Trade

Click any trade to expand. These are the 230 requirements we check.

General / Structural3

Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Alterations)

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital, no paper applications accepted
Plans uploaded through ePlan/ProjectDox — NOT through iBuild
Plans must be digitally signed and sealed by registered architect/engineer
Two (2) sets of plans required — site/plot plan, floor plan, elevations, cross sections, roof framing, energy calcs
+ 30 more checked during analysis

Demolition Permit (Total or Partial)

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
Demolition permits handled under Unsafe Structures section of Building Department
City + MDC Contractor Registration required
Lead environmental sampling may also be required — actual cost charged
+ 7 more checked during analysis

Certificate of Occupancy (CO) / Certificate of Completion (CC)

CO required before occupancy of any new building or change of use
CC required for completion of permitted work on existing structures
CO fee: Residential $105/unit; Commercial $0.10/sq ft (min $250)
CC fee: Commercial min $150
+ 6 more checked during analysis

Roofing1

Roofing Permit (Re-Roof — HVHZ)

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
HVHZ Uniform Roofing Permit Application required for ALL re-roofs (FBC 8th Ed Chapter 15)
HVHZ Roofing Permit Forms Package required (complete package per FBC Section 1525)
Miami-Dade NOA (Notice of Acceptance) required for ALL roofing materials — every component
+ 15 more checked during analysis

Electrical3

Solar Panel Installation Permit

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
Solar permits processed within 3 BUSINESS DAYS per City ordinance
NOTE: Fee waiver does NOT include surcharges required by federal, state, or county governments
Solar PV Permit Application required
+ 8 more checked during analysis

Electrical Permit (Panel / Service / Trade)

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
MDC Electrical Fee Sheet required with application
City + MDC Contractor Registration required (dual registration)
Notice of Commencement required if job value >= $5,000; $15,000 for A/C
+ 7 more checked during analysis

EV Charger Installation Permit

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
Electrical permit required for EV charger installation
Product Approvals for charger equipment
Electrical plans showing charger location, circuit details, panel capacity
+ 3 more checked during analysis

Plumbing1

Plumbing Permit (General / Trade)

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
MDC Plumbing and Gas Fee Sheet required with application
City + MDC Contractor Registration required (dual registration)
Notice of Commencement required if job value >= $5,000
+ 3 more checked during analysis

Mechanical / HVAC1

Mechanical/HVAC Permit (A/C Replacement / Trade)

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
MDC Mechanical Fee Sheet required with application
City + MDC Contractor Registration required (dual registration)
Notice of Commencement required if job value >= $15,000 for A/C replacements (HIGHER threshold)
+ 7 more checked during analysis

Windows & Doors1

Windows / Doors / Shutters Permit

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
Windows/doors qualify for WALK-THRU same-day structural review at Building Department
Window and Door Schedule required
Product Approvals (MDC NOA) required with wind load calculations (HVHZ — 175 mph)
+ 6 more checked during analysis

Pool & Spa1

Pool / Spa Permit

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
Pool permits qualify for walk-thru same-day structural review at Building Department
Plans showing pool location, dimensions, setbacks, barriers, equipment, plumbing/electrical
Product Approvals (MDC NOA) required for pool barrier and safety equipment (HVHZ)
+ 6 more checked during analysis

Fence & Driveway3

Fence Permit

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
Fence permits qualify for WALK-THRU same-day structural review at Building Department
City provides Standard Detail drawings for Masonry, Metal, and Wood fences — use these to streamline
Standard Detail Masonry Fence PDF available on forms page
+ 9 more checked during analysis

Driveway Permit

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
Driveways qualify for WALK-THRU same-day structural review at Building Department
Site plan showing driveway location, dimensions, setbacks to property lines
Miami 21 zoning code specifies maximum driveway width, setbacks, and coverage
+ 5 more checked during analysis

Shed / Accessory Structure Permit

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
Plans showing shed location, dimensions, setbacks per Miami 21 zoning
Product Approvals (MDC NOA) required for pre-fabricated sheds (HVHZ)
Signed/sealed plans required for site-built sheds over certain size
+ 5 more checked during analysis

Marine / Waterfront2

Dock / Marine Structure Permit

City of Miami has SIGNIFICANT waterfront: Biscayne Bay, Miami River, canals
City building permit via iBuild for structural components
MDC DERM Class I Permit Application required for ALL dock/seawall/mangrove work in tidal waters
MDC DERM Class I applications submittable ONLINE as of December 1, 2025
+ 8 more checked during analysis

Seawall Permit

Same requirements as dock/marine permit — see dock permit type
DUAL PERMIT: City building permit + MDC DERM Class I
Engineering plans showing seawall design, tiebacks, drainage
Geotechnical report may be required
+ 1 more checked during analysis

Fire & Safety1

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Permit (Standalone)

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
Standalone Fire Alarm or Sprinkler Permit available (separate from Master Permit)
Fire alarm plans showing device locations, wiring, annunciation
Sprinkler plans showing pipe sizing, head locations, flow calculations
+ 5 more checked during analysis

Signs1

Sign Permit

ALL applications via iBuild portal — 100% digital
City of Miami Sign Code applies — separate from FBC
Sign Code Design Standards available on miami.gov
Certain signs are exempt from permit — check exemption list
+ 6 more checked during analysis

Business & Admin2

Private Provider Program

Private Provider option per F.S. 553.791
Must be licensed engineer (FL Ch. 471) or architect (FL Ch. 481)
Fee credit: 1/3 of permit fee when using BOTH plan review and inspections
Fee credit: 1/6 of permit fee when using only plan review OR only inspections
+ 3 more checked during analysis

Change of Contractor / Architect / Engineer

Fee: $100 per change
Submit through iBuild — Add/Update Contractor on Building Permit
New contractor must be registered with City of Miami (Ordinance 14279) + MDC
New contractor's insurance must name 'City of Miami Building Department' as certificate holder
+ 1 more checked during analysis

FAQ — Miami

What documents do I need for a permit in Miami?

For most permits: completed application, signed & sealed plans, site survey, product approvals (Miami-Dade NOA or FL# required since Miami is HVHZ), energy calculations for HVAC, and Notice of Commencement if your job exceeds $5000. Our AI checks your package against all 230 Miami-specific requirements and shows you exactly what's missing.

How do I submit a permit in Miami?

FULLY DIGITAL — ALL applications via iBuild; plans via ProjectDox/ePlan. NO PAPER APPLICATIONS. Access the portal: Miami online permitting system. Phone: 305-416-1100

What are the most common reasons permits get rejected in Miami?

Based on 58 documented gotchas: ALL permit applications are 100% DIGITAL via iBuild — NO paper applications accepted... Our AI automatically flags all 58 known rejection triggers for Miami before you submit.

Is Miami in the HVHZ?

Yes — Miami is in a High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Every exterior product (windows, doors, roofing, shutters) must have a Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval with FL# number. Standard ICC-ES reports or generic spec sheets are NOT accepted. Our AI verifies product approval documentation automatically.

Miami Permit Requirements

Building Department