Miami Building Permits — Cost, Timeline & Process

The City of Miami Building Department administers building permits and inspections. Current permit status and plan-review information is available through iBuild and ProjectDox.

Current Code and HVHZ

Miami uses the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) and the High Velocity Hurricane Zone provisions applicable in Miami-Dade County. Product approvals, wind design, floodplain requirements, and other project-specific requirements depend on the proposed work and site.

2026 Permit-Law Changes

Miami's current Building Department guidance reflects 2026 amendments to Florida law. Under Florida Statutes §553.792, specified permit categories are subject to statutory plan-review timelines when the applicant uses that process. The City explains that these timelines apply to Florida Building Code disciplines and do not include outside reviews such as zoning, planning, public works, fire prevention, or environmental approvals.

The City also publishes a 2026 residential permit-exemption process under amended §553.79. One published category can exempt qualifying work on a single-family dwelling valued at less than $7,500, but the owner or contractor must obtain the City's written exemption confirmation and other City approvals can still be required. Do not state that all small residential work is automatically permit-exempt.

iBuild and ProjectDox

Use iBuild for the permit record and ProjectDox for electronic plan-review status and comments where applicable. Miami's current tracking page directs applicants to both systems.

Review Timing

Remove generic “same day to months” tables as official timing guidance. For permit types covered by §553.792, use the current statutory/City process. For other projects, review time varies with scope, completeness, outside approvals, and correction cycles. Miami also offers separate Easy Permit, expedited, joint-review, and homeowner express pathways for qualifying projects.

Process

1. Confirm zoning, floodplain, HVHZ, and applicable FBC requirements.
2. Prepare the documents and product-approval information required for the scope.
3. Submit through the City's current iBuild/ProjectDox process.
4. Complete required FBC and outside-agency reviews.
5. Respond to comments and resubmit as directed.
6. Obtain the issued permit before permit-required work begins.
7. Schedule required inspections through the City's current inspection process; eligible work may qualify for virtual inspection.
8. Complete final inspections and obtain a Certificate of Completion or Occupancy when required.

Common Correction Issues

• Missing HVHZ product-approval information where required
• Missing wind, structural, energy, or professional documentation where required
• Zoning, floodplain, historic, public-works, fire, or environmental approvals not completed where applicable
• Incomplete application or plan-review response

Official Sources

Verify current requirements with the City of Miami Building Department, its 2026 Legislative Updates, iBuild, ProjectDox, and the current Florida Building Code.

Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Confirm current requirements with the City of Miami before filing or starting work.