Request a Hearing for a Planning or Zoning Application

Step 1.IMPORTANT NOTE: All documents submitted for a public hearing become a public record available to anyone who seeks public information. It is important that you do not submit any sensitive information, such as  social security numbers and drivers license numbers, as part of your application materials.

Step 2.Determine If You Can Request a Hearing

This refers to applications for Exceptions, Variances, Modifications of Covenants, Release of Covenants, Rezones, amendments to the Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan (MCNP), SAPs, development agreements, and the like, that need to have public hearings. 

It's important you submit your project plans and other documents to your Planning professionals in ePlan as early as possible. Note, the submission of hearing boards documents, numbers 01-13 below, at the time of prescreen acceptance is nice to have, but not required at prescreen.

Step 3.Request Hearing Boards Review Your Documents

First, contact the Hearing Boards staff at 305.416.1400 to request a review of the documents listed below. You will be given an appointment date and time within 5-7 business days, which may be done in person or via telephone, whichever is best for you. 

NOTE: We encourage you to collect your documents quickly, and leave enough time for this review (before any deadlines), as Hearing Boards' schedule may be full for the immediate future.

Step 4.Documents You Will Need for Your Review with Hearing Boards

Hearing Boards staff will obtain 1) your completed and signed OAS Application, and 2) all final documents stamped "Staff Review Complete", directly from ePlan to incorporate to your public hearing file.

You will need to have all the following documents into the ProjectDox folder titled "Quick Review," and in the following sequential order immediately after batch stamp to prevent any delays with scheduling your hearing:

HB - 1 - Exhibit "A" Legal description and sketch for all subject property(ies)

HB - 2 - Signed and notarized Acknowledgment by Applicant(PDF, 49KB) 

HB - 3 - Proof of Lobbyist Registration (if applicable)

HB - 4 - Signed and notarized Affidavit of Authority to Act(PDF, 75KB)

HB - 5 - Signed Disclosure of Agreement to Support or Withhold Objection(PDF, 139KB)

HB - 6 - Disclosure of Ownership(PDF, 115KB) for all owners

HB - 7 - Disclosure of all contract purchasers

HB - 8 - Certificate of Status from Tallahassee dated within one (1) year of application for Profit and Non-profit owners and contract purchasers

HB - 9 - Corporate Resolution, or Power of Attorney, from all owners or Board of Directors providing authority to submit the application on behalf of the organization, if you are representing an organization

HB - 10 - Corporate Resolution, or Power of Attorney, from all contract purchasers of the property in question providing authority to submit the application on behalf of the organization, if you are representing an organization

HB - 11 - Non-profits, only:  List of Board of Directors (owners)

HB - 12 - Non-profits, only:  List of Board of Directors (contract purchasers of the property)

HB - 13 - Disclosure Affidavit of No Monies Due to the City (PDF, 180KB)

HB - 14 - Vacation and Street Closures, only: Confirmation Letter from City Regarding Use of Restricted Funds 

HB - 15 - Signed, attestation(PDF, 241KB) by person who prepared list of adjacent property owners within 500 feet

HB - 16 - (PDF, 147KB)Complete list of all property owners, in Excel(PDF, 353KB) format, not older than 6 months from today 

HB - 17 - Proof of no open code violation(s) and no open invoices on the subject property(ies). The report is valid up to 30 days from the report's processing date. Additional reports will be required if the reports have expired prior to the noticing of a public hearing date. Click here to do this.

HB - 18 - Proof of Full Payment of Invoice: After you have called Hearing Boards to make an appointment, you will receive an invoice from Hearing Boards staff, per the attached fee schedule(PDF, 518KB) . You must pay the invoice before your appointment. PAY HERE

HB - 19 - SAP designations only: During the City's State of Local Emergency caused by COVID-19, only digital submissions will be accepted. The digital copy of SAP binders must be uploaded to the "Quick Review" folder. The naming convention for these digital files, only, will need to mimic the document organization method the applicant would have used for the submission of printed binders, i.e. Tab 1 - Letter of Intent, Tab 2 - Application Form and Checklist, etc.   

Step 5.Review Documentation with Hearing Boards

• Hearing Boards staff will review your paperwork for completeness. It is your responsibility that information and documentation provided to the City of Miami is accurate. 

• If, at the scheduled appointment with Hearing Boards staff, your documents are complete, you will be provided with your hearing date, time, and location. The hearing will usually take place within 45 days from the date of your submittal to Hearing Boards (assuming documents are correct).
• If corrections need to be made, you will be able to do so in ProjectDox, and re-schedule a new appointment to re-present your revised documents.

TIP: Revise your ancillary documents quickly and leave enough time for any new appointments (before any deadlines), as Hearing Boards' schedule may be full for the immediate future.

NOTE: Public hearings will be scheduled in accordance with the City of Miami Code. The bi-annual cycle hearing deadlines are shown here.

NOTE: Any documents offered to the PZAB and/or the City Commission, which have not been provided directly to Hearing Boards staff at least fourteen (14) days before the hearing as part of the agenda materials will need to be entered into the record by the requesting individual, or an authorized designee, on the day of the hearing, and at the discretion of the decision-making body.

Step 6.Attend Hearing

Lastly, an authorized representative, or the applicant themselves, must attend the hearing. The published agenda will show all of your documentation.

At the hearing, you will be given a decision by the board.

Additional Information to Know Before Your Hearing

• You will be responsible, if needed, to bring an interpreter for the English language to any presentation before the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board.
• A valid power of attorney will be required if neither the applicant or legal counsel representing the applicant execute the application or desire to make a presentation before the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board and/or the City Commission.