Building

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Top Services

The Building Department enforces codes and regulations established by the State of Florida and Miami-Dade County governing the construction, alteration, and maintenance of buildings and structures within the City of Miami for the protection of residents and property.   

Department Head

Eduardo Santamaria
Building Department Director

IMG_1867 1_new.jpg Mr. Santamaria brings over three decades of distinguished expertise in engineering, construction, and project management, positioning him as a leader in both the public and private sectors. His extensive experience includes serving as Director of Public Works for the cities of Miami and Coral Gables, where he spearheaded critical infrastructure initiatives. Additionally, as Assistant City Manager for the City of Coral Gables, Mr. Santamaria played a pivotal role in the city’s executive leadership team, overseeing the successful execution of city-wide strategic initiatives, operational innovation, and policy development.

In the private sector, Mr. Santamaria served as Senior Director at WSP, a globally recognized consulting firm. In this role, he was instrumental in guiding both public and private sector clients across South Florida through the development and execution of comprehensive climate resilience and sustainability strategies.

Mr. Santamaria holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida International University and is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) as well as a Certified General Contractor (CGC), underscoring his technical and regulatory expertise across diverse engineering and construction disciplines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Department Head

Eduardo Santamaria

Mr. Santamaria brings over three decades of distinguished expertise in engineering, construction, and project management, positioning him as a leader in both the public and private sectors. His extensive experience includes serving as Director of Public Works for the cities of Miami and Coral Gables, where he spearheaded critical infrastructure initiatives. Additionally, as Assistant City Manager

View City of Miami Building Bulletins.

View Building Bulletins

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Who Qualifies for these Services: All Homesteaded Homeowners

This service is free of charge to all City of Miami Residential Homesteaded Properties

The Homeowner Assistance Program assists our customers through the permitting process step by step. 

View More Information

Direct Contact Information:
Claudia Elorza: 305-710-0605
Rosa Vera: 786-877-9732
HOA Landline: 305-416-1139
Email:hoabuilding@miamigov.com

When your construction project (or a portion of your project) is complete, The City of Miami issues a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or a Certificate of Completion (CC) to certify that a building (or renovation project) has been completed in compliance with applicable code(s). 

A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is issued for new construction or change of use (i.e. from a school to a restaurant), while a Certificate of Completion (CC) is needed for remodels, renovations and shell buildings. 

Get a CO/CC

If you want to gain early occupancy on a project that is still under minor construction but now includes a habitable space, you can apply for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO)/Temporary Certificate of Completion (TCC).

Get a TCO/TCC

 

Under Florida law, building code inspections and plan reviews may be performed by qualified, state-licensed private sector personnel, subject to restrictions.  Private Providers must register their firm with the City of Miami Building Department, and are subject to the authority of the City’s Building Official.  Select the appropriate link to view our official policy documents.

View Private Provider Program

The City's Environmental Resources division has moved to the Building Department. Our mission is to provide efficient environmental resources services that are responsive to the needs of all stakeholders and our environment while upholding the laws to protect, preserve, restore and enhance our City’s tree canopy.

If you are working on a new construction project and need to remove, relocate, trim a tree, you need a new constructions tree permit. 

Tree Permit (New Construction)

If you want to remove a tree and are not doing any other construction, you need a standalone tree permit. 

Tree Permit (No Construction)

View more information, guidelines, and resources for trees. 

Tree Information & Resources

View Active Intended Decisions

View information about hurricane preparation and clean-up for trees. 

Hurricane Tree Preparedness & Post-Storm Maintenance

Permit and Inspection Utilization Report

A local government entity may provide a schedule of reasonable inspection fees in order to defer the costs of inspection and enforcement of the Florida Building Code. The local government entity's fees must be used solely for carrying out that local government entity's responsibilities in enforcing the Florida Building Code. Pursuant to Florida Statute 553.80, by Dec. 31 of each year, the governing body of a local government that provides a schedule of fees shall create a building permit and inspection utilization report and post the report on its website.

The City’s fiscal year begins on Oct. 1 and ends on Sept. 30. The report is divided between that and the respective fiscal year and has been derived from relevant information available from the most recently completed financial audit. 

View Reports

 

Effective December 31, 2023, the applicable codes in the State of Florida are:

  • Florida Building Code- Accessibility / 8th Edition (2023)
  • Florida Building Code- Building / 8th Edition (2023)
  • Florida Building Code- Energy Conservation / 8th Edition (2023)
  • Florida Building Code- Existing Building / 8th Edition (2023)
  • Florida Building Code- Fuel Gas / 8th Edition (2023)
  • Florida Building Code- Mechanical / 8th Edition (2023)
  • Florida Building Code- Plumbing / 8th Edition (2023)
  • Florida Building Code- Residential  / 8th Edition (2023) 
  • Florida Fire Prevention Code  / 8th Edition 
  • National Electric Code (NEC) / (NFPA 70) / 2020 Edition  

The Building Efficiency 305 (BE305) program helps ensure a more resilient city in relation to existing buildings and addresses the mandate from the Miami City Commission to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases. 

Learn about the BE305 Program

Get a Permit to Install Solar Panels

 

The Building Department has designated an internal Affordable Housing liaison for the purpose of facilitating the building permitting process for Affordable Housing developments.  Our goal is to streamline communication and enable timely resolutions, which would in turn accelerate the availability of Affordable Housing units in the market.

Point of Contact:

Ana Pedraja, Special Projects Assistant
APedraja@miamigov.com
786-251-7185

Other services available may be requested as follows:

SB 102 / Live Local Act Information

The Florida Legislature recently adopted the Live Local Act, Laws of Florida Ch. 2023-17, which has an effective date of July 1, 2023.

There are procedures and standards that govern affordable housing developments under this act, including, but not limited to: (1) be located on property that is currently zoned for commercial, industrial, or mixed uses; (2) provide a minimum of 40% of its residential units as “affordable” residential units as defined in the Florida Statutes; and (3) if they are mixed-use developments, dedicate a minimum of 65% of the total square footage of the development for residential use. For additional regulations, processes for submittal, and information, please go to the City of Miami Zoning Department’s SB 102 Live Local Act page.

The complete Live Local Act, Laws of Florida Ch. 2023-17 can be found here: https://laws.flrules.org/files/Ch_2023-017.pdf