Building FAQs

Visit The City's Permitting Landing Page

Q: Is there somewhere that lists the City's permit applications and instructions? 
Yes! Our permitting landing page offers step-by-step instructions and information for most of the city's permits. Resources include on everything from new projects to in-progress projects to special events, zoning, public works, fire permits, our permit catalog and much more. 

Q: How do I apply for or manage a Building permit? 
The State of Florida requires you to get a permit for most projects. All building permits must be applied for electronically, in our iBuild portal. For information on the process of obtaining a permit, please visit the Guide to Getting a Permit page. 

Q: What are the different permitting portals and how do they work?  
iBuild and ProjectDox are two components of the City of Miami’s Electronic Plan Review (ePlan) system, each serving different purposes in the permitting process. iBuild is used for submitting and managing Building permit applications, while ProjectDox is used for the review and approval of the digital plans (drawings) and documents associated with those applications.

ePlan/ProjectDox is also used for permit applications outside of the Building Department such as Waivers and Warrants, while iPW is the portal for Public Works applications. 

Q: Where can I find additional permitting Forms and Documents? 
You can find Document Checklists, Building Forms, and Affidavits/Applications by visiting the Permitting Forms and Documents page. Please keep in mind that these forms are NOT permit applications and may not be used to start your permitting process.  

Q: Where can I find information about permitting fees?
Please visit the City of Miami Building Permit Fee Schedule page for complete information.  

Q: My permit was approved, what are the next steps? 
After receiving certain permit approvals, you will need to officially "pull" your permit and print your permit card, which is required for the project to proceed. For complete instructions, please visit the Pull-Print a Permit page.  

Q: How can I access an existing project?  
You must be listed as an applicant or have the appropriate permissions to access a project in the ePlan system. Some projects may be restricted based on your role or the nature of the project.
If you are not listed as an applicant or need access to a project, please follow these steps:  

• Contact the Primary Applicant and request to be added with the necessary permissions. 
•  If you cannot contact the primary applicant or need specific access rights, you can Request Access from the Building Department by contacting the Building Department at eplantechsupport@miamigov.com.  Be sure to include the project number and your contact information, explain your role in the project, and the type of access you require.  
•  Once your request is processed, you will receive an email Verification. Follow the instructions in the email. 

Q: How can I view a property’s permit history? 
If you are looking to view the full history of an issued permit, you can visit iBuild and select “manage application, global inquiry.” For complete instructions please visit the View Permit History/Permit Search page.

Q: Do I need a fence permit for my residential or commercial property?  
A fence permit is required for both residential and commercial properties to build a fence, ensuring safety and compliance with the City of Miami's regulations. For complete instructions, please visit the Get a Fence Permit page.  

If you're looking to build a temporary fence at a construction site, you need to Apply for a Temporary Occupancy Permit (TOP) - Construction Related. 

Q: How do I find detailed zoning information for City of Miami properties?  
You can use the City’s Zoning Interactive Tool to find real estate data on properties within the City. Users can view a variety of visual layers such as Miami 21 zoning designations, Future Land Use designations, Historic Preservation layers, NET Area, and Commission Districts. You can find help and instructions for this application on our Interactive Mapping Tool (GIS) help page. 

You can also view our Property Information page for additional details. 

Q: Is it possible to extend an expired permit?  
If the total cost of the job is $10,000 or less, please follow these instructions to extend your expired permit: 

• Log into the iBuild portal and navigate to Manage Permit
•  Click Extend Permit
• Enter the Permit # and click Search. 
• Review the information on the screen and click Next.
• Review the fee for the extension of permit and click Finish.
• Click the Download Paperwork button to download the Fee Summary
• Click the Click Here to Pay Online Now to pay for your fee.

Q: How can I expedite the review process for my permit? 

• You may request to expedite the fire review process for building permits, standalone fire permits, or fire revisions to master permits for commercial properties in the City of Miami. For complete instructions, please visit the Request a Fire & Life Safety Expedited Review page. 
• If you've applied for a building permit for a commercial project over 20,000 square feet you may request an Expedited Plan Review

Q: Do I need a permit to host a garage sale?  
Yes, you need a permit to host a garage sale at a residential property in the City of Miami. It is required to protect local businesses and avoid fines.  For complete instructions, please visit the Apply for a Garage Sale Permit page.  

Q: I have a historic property; can I repair it or renovate it?  

If you are looking to repair or make changes to a historic property, the City of Miami requires a certificate of appropriateness (COA) for any work on historic properties to protect our city's history.  This can include small projects like window replacements as well as large projects like new construction. For complete information, please visit the Repair or Renovate a Historic Property page.  

Q: How can I see why a permit was not finalized?

To view an explanation/status of a permit that is not final yet please follow these steps:  

Visit The City's Inspections & Certificates Landing Page

Q: How can I schedule a building inspection? 
A building inspection is required for all phases of the construction or renovation process to ensure that structures are safe and stable. For complete instructions, please visit the Schedule a Building Inspection page.  

Q: My property is 40+ years old, how do I obtain a recertification? 
If your property is more than 40 years old, you will need to obtain a recertification to ensure it is safe for use and occupancy, as per the Miami-Dade County Code. For complete guidelines and instructions, please visit the Get a Building Recertification page.  

Q: Where can I see my property’s inspection history? 
Viewing inspection history allows you to access the building inspections of a property to check for compliance, safety, and any outstanding issues. For complete instructions, please visit the View Inspection History page.  

Q: My property is in an archaeological conservation area, and I need to dig, what is the process?  
If you applied for a building permit and you were informed your property is in an archeological conservation area, and you project requires digging (e.g., excavation for a foundation, pool, pipelines, fences, etc.), the City requires that you obtain a Certificate to Dig. For complete instructions, please visit the Get a Certificate to Dig page.  

Q: How can I schedule a fire inspection outside or normal hours? 
To obtain an after-hours fire inspection for commercial buildings, which may include inspections of smoke tests, generator tests, and fire alarms please visit the Get an After-Hours Inspection page.   

Q: My certificate of Use (CU) requires a DERM inspection, what is the process?  
To obtain a Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) inspection as part of the process to acquire a Certificate of Use (CU) in the City of Miami, ensuring protection of underground structures. To learn more, please visit the Get a DERM Inspection for a Certificate of Use (CU) page.  

Q: Where can I find information on becoming an owner builder?
If you own your home and want to elect to perform construction work on your own (without a contractor), the City of Miami issues Owner-Builder permits for owner-occupied one-family and two-family residential work. For more information, please visit the Become an Owner Builder page.  

Visit Property and Address Services Landing Page

Q: I am adding a unit to my property; how does that affect the address? 
If you are changing an existing address or adding a unit, floor, or suite to an existing address in the City's records, you will need to apply for a Certificate of Use (CU) or Building Permit. For complete instructions, please visit the Change or Add an Address to a Property page.  

Q: How can I report an abandoned or unsafe property? 
If you have or see properties that are vacant, unsecure, blighted, or abandoned you can file a report with the City of Miami to ensure general safety and maintain the quality of life in neighborhoods. For complete instructions, please visit the Report an Abandoned or Unsafe Property page. 

Q: How to respond to an unsafe structure violation? 
An unsafe structure violation is issued when a building is deemed unsafe or hazardous due to conditions such as being vacant, open, and abandoned, having structural stress, disconnected water service, or other hazards defined in Chapter 8 of the Miami-Dade County Code. For complete instructions, please visit the Respond to an Unsafe Structure Violation page.  

Q: Someone in my neighborhood is renting a space not suitable for living, how can I report this issue? 
If you feel that a property is utilizing or renting a residential space not permitted for this use, the City of Miami monitors home usage to maintain neighborhood aesthetics, protect property values, and ensure safety.  For complete information, please visit the Report an Illegal Residential Use or Unit page.  

Q: I want to purchase a property, but I am told it is designated as a historic property, what do I need to do? 
If you own or are considering buying a property and want to know if it’s designated as a historic property, the City can help you make this determination. This process is important because historic properties carry a different set of rules and regulations for construction and alterations. For complete information, please visit the Determine a Historic Property page.  

Visit Contractor Services Landing Page

Q: How to register as a building contractor? 
What is the purpose of registering as a building contractor? Registration verifies a contractor's certification, protects homeowners and the City from legal liability, and ensures the structural integrity of buildings in the City of Miami. For complete instructions, please visit the Register as a Building Contractor page. 

Q: How to add or update a contractor on a building permit? 
What is this process for? This process is for updating, changing, or adding a contractor to an existing building permit, including specialists for sub-permits like electrical or plumbing. For complete instructions, please visit the Add/Update a Contractor on a Building Permit page. 

Q: Where can I find contractor qualification information? 
For a complete list of documents required to qualify to register as a contractor for the City of Miami, please visit the Contractor Qualification Information page.  

Visit Records and Reports Landing Page

Q: What is the process for requesting building records (microfilm)? 
If you are buying or renovating a property and need to obtain digital copies of building permits and plans please visit the Request Building Records (Microfilm) page.  

Q: How can I monitor the progress of my inspection or find my inspectors ETA?  
Tracking your building inspection/inspector allows you to monitor the progress of your inspection, see how many appointments are ahead of you, and estimate when the inspector will arrive at your site. For complete instructions, please visit the Track your Building Inspection/Inspector page.  

Visit Additional Building Services Landing Page

Q: Where can I search to see if my address is within City of Miami boundaries?  
You can search this information in the City of Miami Interactive Maps and Zoning Applications Portal. This portal also allows you to search property owners, land use, Commissioner Districts, and much more. 

Q: What is the process for responding to a building violation? 
Did you receive a building violation for work without a permit, an unsafe structure, or a 40/50 Year Recertification violation? You can find instructions on how to respond by visiting this page.  

Q: I need help running a lien or violation search. 
To check if there are any liens or violations on a property in the City of Miami before purchasing it, you can visit this page for instructions.  

Q: Where can I make a payment to City of Miami? 
If you have an invoice or transaction ID, you can visit the City of Miami’s payment page to  make online payment for items such as permits, alarms, code violations and more. It takes the system approximately 48 hours to reflect credit or debit card payments.  

Q: Where can I find information on requesting public records?  to Request Public Records? 
For more information, please visit the Request Public Records page. Visit this page to find tree information and resources, such as permits, decisions, and hurricane preparedness.  Need to find the names, locations, and contact information for the various divisions and employees within the Building Department? You can visit the Building Department Directory page.  

Q: Where can I find instructions on how to digitally sign and seal documents?  Can I provide a wet (regular) signature with my documents and drawings? 
No. In the ePlan system, a wet signature (a traditional handwritten signature) is not acceptable for digitally submitting plans and documents. Instead, a digital signature is required for Security and Authenticity, Compliance and Efficiency: Digital signatures allow for faster processing in the ePlan system, enabling electronic submissions and reviews without the need for physical paperwork. For complete instructions, please visit the Digitally Sign & Seal Documents page. You can also visit the Resource Page for Digital Signatures for additional information.  

Q: Where can I find instructions on the proper way to name my documents and drawings before uploading them to ProjectDox?  
For complete instructions on how to follow the City’s standardized format, please visit the Standard Naming Convention for Drawings & Documents page.  

Q: Where can I find instructions on how to upload documents and drawings? 
All drawings and documents must be uploaded electronically via the ProjectDox portal. For complete instructions on the correct way and format for uploading drawings and documents, please visit the Submit Plans (Drawings) & Documents Electronically page.  

Q: What is the process for appealing to an unsafe structure violation?  
If you received a violation from Unsafe Structures, such as work without permit, 40/50-year recertification, or unsafe violation, you can appeal this violation within 10 days of the date of the First Notice. For complete instructions on how to appeal, please visit the Appeal an Unsafe Structure Violation page.  

Q: Do you need to appeal a warrant or waiver?
Visit this page for guidance.