Applications, Reviews, Issuance, and Inspections Analytics
Permits Search
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It's the law. The City of Miami Beach is guided by the Florida Building Code. Section 105.1 states: "Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit." (Exemptions on Section 102.2 of the Building Code).
A permit brings you the service of Building Department Plans Reviewers and Inspectors who are experts in their field. In addition to providing advice, they approve each phase of your project, checking to see that the work is done in accordance with the code and the approved plans. Working without a permit is illegal and can result in fines and cause problems if and when you sell your house.
For more information, please visit our Permits page: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/building/permits/.
A complete set of construction documents including a permit application is required to receive a building permit.
A Permit Application completely filled out including a thorough description of the scope of work.
Submit signed and sealed plans either electronically at www.mbselfservice.com or in-person. Plans submitted must be considered 100% complete to qualify for plan review.
You will be required to pay an up-front permit fee prior to beginning the permitting process. Once all required approvals have been obtained and your plans have been signed off by the plan reviewers, the outstanding balance of your permit must be paid prior to the issuance of your permit and permit card.
For more information on what documents and plans are required, please visit our Permits page: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/building/permits/.
For your convenience, the application process can be done completely online at www.mbselfservice.com. For Instruction guides on how to apply online, please visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/onlinepermits.
Applications may also be brought in-person to one of our Building Department offices: Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 OR North Beach Office, 962 Normandy Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33141.
For faster service, we recommend to make an appointment for in-person submissions at www.miamibeachfl.gov/buildingappts.
The Building Department's offices close daily for lunch from noon to 1 PM.
Appointments are offered for In-person or Virtual.
Homeowner's Permit Assistance: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 3 PM.
Permit Services: Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 3 PM.
To consult with a Trade Chief (Plan Review/Inspection): Tuesdays 1 PM to 3 PM and Thursdays 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Records Management (Public Records Requests): Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 3 PM.
For more information, please visit our Contact Us page: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/building/contact-us/.
The City of Miami Beach Development Review Departments which include the Building Department, Planning & Zoning Department, Public Works Department, Fire Prevention Department, Environmental and Urban Forestry Department, and Parking Department are working towards a 15-day review time(per review cycle) for residential and commercial projects. Please be aware you also need Miami-Dade County approvals for the environmental core and/or impact fees depending on the scope of work. Link to the Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources Plan Status & Application Submittal Portal: https://www.miamidade.gov/Apps/RER/EPSPortal.
For more information on processing times, please visit our Building Dashboard: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/building/statistics/dashboard/.
You must apply for a permit and submit plans. If the construction conforms to code and your plans are acceptable, the permit will be issued, and appropriate inspections will be made. Once the permit is Finaled, you must contact the Building Violations section to close the violation.
If the construction does not conform to code, you have two options:
Construction must be brought into compliance or construction must be removed. If the construction is not permitted under any circumstances, then it must be removed.
You must have a permit to demolish, and an inspection must be made to ensure that it has been demolished and the property cleared.
For more information, please visit our Violations page: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/building/violations/.
When work for which a permit is required is commenced prior to obtaining a permit, the permit applicant shall be required to pay $500.00 plus a double permit fee. In no event shall the applicant pay less than $500.00 plus double the amount of the minimum fee as specified for each type of work. The payment of the required fee shall not relieve any person, firm or corporation from fully complying with all applicable regulations and codes, nor shall it relieve them from being subject to any to the penalties therein.
The double fee requirement shall be applicable to all sections of the Building Department noted herein. For the second offense of doing work without a permit, the permit applicant shall be required to pay a $1,000.00 penalty fee plus a double permit fee. For each subsequent offense, the permit applicant shall be required to pay a $2,000.00 penalty fee, plus a double permit fee.
For more information, please visit our Violations page: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/building/violations/.
Inspections depend on what is involved in the project. Simply stated, an inspection is required prior to covering up any part of the construction.
For more information, please visit our Inspections page: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/building/inspections/.
Inspections are performed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The following are required for inspection:
Inspections may be requested, canceled, or re-scheduled via the Civic Access portal.
*Important: If you are neither the contractor nor the owner, you must be added to each permit for which you seek access to. To be added to a permit, you must submit a notarized letter from the contractor or the owner giving you consent to be added as a contact.
For more information, please visit our Inspections page: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/building/inspections/.
Owner-Builder Requirements
F.S. 489.103(c) DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
1. I understand that state law requires construction to be done by a licensed contractor and have applied for an owner-builder permit under an exemption from the law. The exemption specifies that I, as the owner of the property listed, may act as my own contractor with certain restrictions even though I do not have a license.
2. I understand that building permits are not required to be signed by a property owner unless he or she is responsible for the construction and is not hiring a licensed contractor to assume responsibility.
3. I understand that, as an owner-builder, I am the responsible party of record on a permit. I understand that I may protect myself from potential financial risk by hiring a licensed contractor and having the permit filed in his or her name instead of my own name. I also understand that a contractor is required by law to be licensed in Florida and to list his or her license numbers on permits and contracts.
4. I understand that I may build or improve a one-family or two-family residence or a farm outbuilding. I may also build or improve a commercial building if the costs do not exceed $75,000. The building or residence must be for my own use or occupancy. It may not be built or substantially improved for sale or lease, unless I am completing the requirements of a building permit where the contractor listed on the permit substantially completed the project. If a building or residence that I have built or substantially improved myself is sold or leased within 1 year after the construction is complete, the law will presume that I built or substantially improved it for sale or lease, which violates the exemption.
5. I understand that, as the owner-builder, I must provide direct, onsite supervision of the construction.
6. I understand that I may not hire an unlicensed person to act as my contractor or to supervise persons working on my building or residence. It is my responsibility to ensure that the persons whom I employ have the licenses required by law and by county or municipal ordinance.
7. I understand that it is a frequent practice of unlicensed persons to have the property owner obtain an owner-builder permit that erroneously implies that the property owner is providing his or her own labor and materials. I, as an owner-builder, may be held liable and subjected to serious financial risk for any injuries sustained by an unlicensed person or his or her employees while working on my property. My homeowner’s insurance may not provide coverage for those injuries. I am willfully acting as an owner-builder and am aware of the limits of my insurance coverage for injuries to workers on my property.
8. I understand that I may not delegate the responsibility for supervising work to a licensed contractor who is not licensed to perform the work being done. Any person working on my building who is not licensed must work under my direct supervision and must be employed by me, which means that I must comply with laws requiring the withholding of federal income tax and social security contributions under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and must provide workers’ compensation for the employee. I understand that my failure to follow these laws may subject me to serious financial risk.
9. I agree that, as the party legally and financially responsible for this proposed construction activity, I will abide by all applicable laws and requirements that govern owner-builders as well as employers. I also understand that the construction must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes, and zoning regulations.
10. I understand that I may obtain more information regarding my obligations as an employer from the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Small Business Administration, the Florida Department of Financial Services, and the Florida Department of Revenue. I also understand that I may contact the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board at 850.487.1395 or myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp for more information about licensed contractors.
11. I am aware of, and consent to, an owner-builder building permit applied for in my name and understand that I am the party legally and financially responsible for the proposed construction activity at the following address: ___________________________.
Property Address
12. I agree to notify City of Miami Beach Building Department immediately of any additions, deletions, or changes to any of the information that I have provided on this disclosure.
Licensed contractors are regulated by laws designed to protect the public. If you contract with a person who does not have a license, the Construction Industry Licensing Board and Department of Business and Professional Regulation may be unable to assist you with any financial loss that you sustain as a result of a complaint. Your only remedy against an unlicensed contractor may be in civil court. It is also important for you to understand that, if an unlicensed contractor or employee of an individual or firm is injured while working on your property, you may be held liable for damages. If you obtain an owner-builder permit and wish to hire a licensed contractor, you will be responsible for verifying whether the contractor is properly licensed and the status of the contractor’s workers’ compensation coverage.
Before a building permit can be issued, this disclosure statement must be completed and signed by the property owner and returned to the local permitting agency responsible for issuing the permit. A copy of the property owner’s driver license, the notarized signature of the property owner, or other type of verification acceptable to the local permitting agency is required when the permit is issued.
For additional assistance or if you have questions regarding the permitting process, please contact our Customer Service at 305.673.7610 and press 0 or, email at BuildingInfo@miamibeachfl.gov.
Contractors working in Miami Beach are required to be registered with the City. Contractors must file valid, updated copies of licenses and insurances to the Building Department prior to obtaining a permit. For more information, please visit our Contractor's page: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/building/contractors/.
A zoning variance is a modification of the specific requirements of the Land Development Regulations. Generally, variances are considered for changes to building setbacks or other dimensional/measurable restrictions. In order to authorize any variance, the Board of Adjustment, Design Review Board or Historic Preservation Board (as applicable) must find that there are certain hardship criteria or that there is a practical difficulty, such as a small lot or oddly shaped parcel, which may prevent the proposed project in complying with the requirements.
No, use variances are prohibited.
An application for a variance for the following items is prohibited:
No, if your application includes an understory, any design waiver, or variance, the entire application, including the variance is reviewed by the Design Review Board (or Historic Preservation Board if the home is in a Historic District or individually designated Historic). The Board of Adjustment reviews applications for variances if the property is not located in a Historic District and if the application does not include waivers.
The BOA consists of sever (7) members each. The approval of any variance requires five (5) affirmative votes.
No. Once an application is publicly noticed and placed on an agenda for review, refunds may not be issued, regardless of the outcome of the application or if the application is withdrawn. An application may be eligible for a full or partial refund if withdrawn prior to any public notice of the application.
Not necessarily. If the new home complies with all zoning and design requirements necessary for administrative approval, review and approval of the Design Review Board is not required. If any design waivers or variances are requested, or if the home includes an understory, review, and approval of the Design Review Board is required.
In single-family zoning districts, the maximum unit size is 50% of the lot area and the maximum lot coverage is 30% for a 2-story home. There are some exceptions to these requirements; for instance, lots are created via a lot split application, which may have additional restrictions.
Applications are generally scheduled for hearing between three to four months depending in part on the date the application is submitted, as well as the completeness of the application package. Applications that include all necessary information and documents can be processed faster, resulting in earlier scheduling. As part of this process staff must ensure that proposed lots comply with all the requirements in the land development regulations. The first step is requesting a pre-application meeting with staff. After the pre-application meeting, you will obtain a checklist with the submittal requirements.
Design professionals are encouraged to become familiar with the applicable sections of the City’s Land Development Regulations prior to designing the project to ensure a quick and efficient application process. You can apply for a Pre-Application meeting here. Enter Pre-App DRB in the search bar.
Board approvals are valid for 18 months. To extend a board order please email Boardorderextensionrequest@miamibeachfl.gov
An application can be made to the board to extend the approval for up to one year. The property owner may also avail themselves of extensions automatically granted due to a declaration of a State of Emergency issued by the State of Florida, if any. Requests must be filed with the Planning Department before the order expires. The time frame of the state of emergency or emergencies will dictate the maximum duration that a DRB approval may be extended. To submit a request to extend a board order please email Boardorderextensionrequest@miamibeachfl.gov
Information on such applications can be found here . Please enter the plan-case number or address in the search bar for information.
The Design Review Board consists of seven (7) members. The Design Review Approval, including any design waivers, requires four (4) affirmative votes. Any variances associated with the Design Review approval requires five (5) affirmative votes.
A Formal Determination of Architectural Significance is an application filed by the owner of a single-family home typically filed when a homeowner wishes to substantially keep the current home and expand it with new additions. The City Code offers numerous zoning incentives for such instances, including increased allowance for the maximum square footage that can be built, increases to the maximum lot coverage, reduced building setbacks, and reduced setbacks for pools and decks. It also allows certain design waivers that would otherwise require review by the Design Review Board.
The City code provides incentives to encourage homeowners to substantially retain an existing home that is classified as architecturally significant. This includes increased unit size up to 60% and increased lot coverage up to 40%, as well as reduced setbacks. Modification and new construction are reviewed administratively for compliance with the incentives and Design Review Criteria. You can submit an application for determination of architectural significance here. Enter Determination of Architectural Significance in the search bar.
No, they are not the same. Homes that are formally classified as Architecturally Significant are not historically designated and are not subject to the review and approval of the Historic Preservation Board.
If your home was constructed prior to 1966, it may satisfy the criteria required to be classified as architecturally significant. The home must be a recognized example of an architectural style, and must have most of its original exterior architectural details and features. If later additions consumed or significantly altered the design of the original home, it would not be classified as architecturally significant.
Based upon current requirements, a home that is classified as Architecturally Significant is not treated any differently than a home that does not have this classification. The same requirements for demolition permits apply, and review by the Design Review Board or Historic Preservation Board is not required.
New construction does not have to match the style of the current home. Modern additions may be constructed on to homes that are classified as architecturally significant, provided the design is compatible and complies with the Design Review Criteria, as determined by Planning Staff.
No. If a homeowner is taking advantage of the incentives -provided via the Formal Determination the architectural style and character of the existing home must be maintained. New Construction is reviewed as noted above.
The City has 14 local historic districts. The City’s historic districts are identified on the Historic District Map available here.
Properties located within a local historic district are classified as Contributing or Non-Contributing. If your property is located within a historic district, you can find the property classification through the City’s Historic Property Viewer available here.
If the building is located within a local historic district or an individually designated historic site, all requests for total demolition require the review and approval of the Historic Preservation Board at a public hearing, regardless of building classification.
A Certificate of Appropriateness is an approval issued by the Historic Preservation Board or by staff of the Planning Department indicating that new construction, alteration or demolition of a historic structure or an improvement within a historic district is an accordance with the review criteria outlined in Chapter 118, Article X, Division 3 of the City Code which can be accessed here.
Yes, modifications to historic structures including Contributing and Non-Contributing buildings are permitted. All proposed modifications are reviewed in accordance with the Certificate of Appropriateness Criteria and may require approval from the Historic Preservation Board
No, if you received a determination that your single-family home is architecturally significant, that does not mean that your home has any type of historic designation.
A Contributing building is one which by location, scale, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling or association adds to a historic district’s sense of time and place and historical development. A building may be contributing even if it has been altered if the alterations are reversible and the most significant architectural elements are intact and repairable.
A Non-Contributing building is one which does not add to a historic district’s sense of time and place and historical development or one where the location, scale, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling or association have been so altered or have so deteriorated that he overall integrity of the building has been irretrievably lost.
No, all buildings that are located within any local historic district are reviewed in accordance with the Certificate of Appropriateness Criteria regardless of building classification.
No, repairs, window and storefront replacement, awnings, canopies, exterior paint, minor demolition to address life-safety, accessibility, mechanical and other applicable code requirements, and façade and building restoration may be approved by staff, provided the scope of work satisfies the Certificate of Appropriateness criteria.
Applications are generally scheduled for hearing between three to four months depending in part on the date the application is submitted, as well as the completeness of the application package. Applications that include all necessary information and documents can be processed faster, resulting in earlier scheduling. As part of this process staff must ensure that proposed projects comply with all the requirements of the land development regulations. The first step is requesting a pre-application meeting with staff. After the pre-application meeting you will obtain a checklist with the submittal requirements.
Design professionals are encouraged to become familiar with the applicable sections of the City’s Land Development Regulations prior to designing the project to ensure a quick and efficient application process. You can apply for a Pre-Application meeting here. Enter Pre-App HPB in the search bar.
An application can be made to the board to extend the approval for up to one year. The property owner may also avail themselves of extensions automatically granted due to a declaration of a State of Emergency issued by the State of Florida, if any. Requests must be filed with the Planning Department before the order expires. The time frame of the state of emergency or emergencies will dictate the maximum duration that an HPB approval may be extended. To submit a request to extend a board order please email Boardorderextensionrequest@miamibeachfl.gov
Applications are generally scheduled for hearing between three to four months depending in part on the date the application is submitted, as well as the completeness of the application package. Applications that include all necessary information and documents can be processed faster, resulting in earlier scheduling. As part of this process staff must ensure that proposed lots comply with all the requirements for lots in the land development regulations. The first step is requesting a pre-application meeting with staff. After the pre-application meeting, you will obtain a checklist with the submittal requirements.
Among other things, the submittal must include a survey of proposed lots and architectural massing of the proposed homes. If approved, the Planning Board can place conditions on the new construction, including limits on lot coverage and unit size, to ensure that new structures are compatible with the neighborhood.
If the proposal modifies the lots from what was originally plated, you will also have to replat through Miami-Dade County after the lot split is granted by the Planning Board. You can apply for a Pre-Application meeting here. Enter Pre-App Planning Board in the search bar.
Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) are required for certain conditional uses identified in the zoning code. Generally, these uses require additional controls to minimize the impacts on surrounding properties and residents. The conditional uses vary by zoning district. Typical conditional uses generally include, but are not limited to, the following:
CUPs must be approved by the Planning Board. Applications are generally scheduled for hearing between three to four months depending in part on the date the application is submitted, as well as the completeness of the application package. Applications that include all necessary information and documents can be processed faster, resulting in earlier scheduling. After the pre-application meeting, you will obtain a checklist with the submittal requirements. Depending on the use, an application may require the submittal of building plans, floor plans, operations plan, traffic study, and a sound study in addition to other application documents.
Staff will review the proposal and make a recommendation to the Planning Board, which must ultimately approve the application. The Planning Board may place conditions on the use to ensure that the impacts of the use are minimized or mitigated. The use will be subject to enforcement mechanisms of the Planning Board to ensure that the uses operate as intended. You may apply for a pre-application meeting here. Enter Pre-App Planning Board in the search bar.
Board approvals are valid for 18 months. An application can be made to the approving board to extend the approval for up to one year, or a property owner may avail themselves of extensions with board order approval or automatically granted due to the declaration of a State of Emergency issued by the State of Florida, if any. Such requests must be filed with the Planning Department before the order expires. The time frame of the state of emergency or emergencies will dictate the maximum duration that a Planning Board approval may be extended. To submit a request to extend a board order please email Boardorderextensionrequest@miamibeachfl.gov
The Planning Department’s webpage provides significant resources regarding Land Use Board applications, Planning’s review of building permits, checklists of Planning required documents, Zoning and Historic Districts maps, and links to the city’s zoning ordinance and other regulations. Please visit our page at miamibeachfl.gov If you have any questions regarding this process or any other service provided by the Planning Department, please inquire at our reception for further guidance at 305.673.7550 or email Planninginfo@miamibeachfl.gov
All permit applications are online via the Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal by following this link Civic Access (miamibeachfl.gov).
All permit applications are online via the Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal by following this link Civic Access (miamibeachfl.gov).
Yes
Go to PW website link( Process Workflows and Checklists - City of Miami Beach (miamibeachfl.gov) under specific permit you are applying for look for “Documents Needed for Permit Application Online”.
Any work on Public Street, Public Sidewalk or Easement or within the Public ROW.
Applicant will receive an email from CSS Portal once the permit has been approved.
➢ For Status of the application Go to CSS Portal (Log In (miamibeachfl.gov)) and Log In to your account.
➢ Go to CSS Portal home page (Civic Access (miamibeachfl.gov) and click “Search for Permits” under Permits Icon.
Send email to RightOfWay@miamibeachfl.gov with permit number and extension date.
The existing permit can be used and extended. An extension fee will be required, and extension may require additional information/documents.
Any Work done under or approved by a Revocable Permit can be changed by the City at the City discretion. City might issue a Resolution for maintenance responsibility of asset added. Revocable permits are applied through the CSS Portal.
Click here for Stormwater Utility Fee Calculation Worksheet.
Please submit the sanitary sewer allocation thru the CSS Portal. Submit the application for a “Sewer Capacity Certification Letter” permit thru the CSS Portal at www.MBSelfService.com. The CSS Portal is relatively simple to navigate, and additional logins can be created for any establishment. Below is a quick step by step outline of how to apply.
Once all the documents required to submit a complete application have been gathered, they are ready to apply for the ROW Permit.
Step 1. www.MBSelfService.com (If new to CSS the applicant must first create an account)
Step 2. Under Permits Icon, click “Apply for Permits Online”
Step 3. On the left-hand side, click “Show Categories”
Step 4. Under Categories, click “Public Works (42)”
Step 5. Scroll down until “Sewer Capacity Certification Letter” and click Apply
Step 6. “Add Location” is the address of the property
CSS will assign a record number (SCCXXXX-XXXX).
Ensure to upload all respective documents (Certificate of Use (if site previously occupied), Miami-Dade County Property Appraisal, Building permit plans, Lease Agreement (if no improvement work is being performed), Miami-Dade County Sewer Allocation Application with appropriate information completed, etc.
Covenant is a legal agreement between property owner/LLC etc. and City of Miami Beach.
Covenant is needed anytime a property owner is building or planting within a utility easement. Process usually takes 4-6 weeks for legal review depending on project and council approval timing. If you are building or planting on Utility Easement reach out to ROW via RightOfWay@miamibeachfl.gov attention ROW Manager.
Link ( Permit Process Workflows and Checklists - City of Miami Beach (miamibeachfl.gov) to PW Permit Page.
No. New applications starting January 1st , 2023, residents will not need a ROW permit / Pool Bond for pools.
For additional information see County Website.
List of Document can be found in Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal when applying online. See below list of documents needed:
Sewer Capacity Certification Allocation Letter, Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser Summary, Last Occupational License or Business Tax Receipt (BTR), Building Plans, and Lease Agreement (as applicable)
Yes, a clean out needs to be installed within 12 inches of property line/ROW line within the ROW/ Public Property. The cleanout shall not be installed within the driveway.
Yes, the owner is responsible to replace the lateral within private/easement and public property. ROW permit is required for any work on Public Property.
Anytime there is changes or new installation of underground Utilities (Sewer, Water, Fireline, etc.) in the ROW.
Yes, Sunshine 811 must be contracted before excavation on ROW or utility easement.
Yes, a MOT Plan is required to direct pedestrians appropriately to a safe route.
Miami Dade County concrete plants will have the Miami Beach Red.