ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Hialeah, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Hialeah.
You need a building permit to construct a new accessory dwelling unit such as a garage apartment or casita. Building a new dwelling unit is new construction, and Hialeah adopts the Florida Building Code through Sec. 14-2 with no exempt list of its own; the state list in FBC 105.2 has no Building category, so nothing exempts it. Note the zoning side is separate: in the R-Z district Sec. 98-826 permits only detached one-family dwellings, so whether an ADU is an allowed use must be confirmed with zoning, but the building work itself always needs a permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit to construct a new accessory d… |
| Fee | The code names no ADU amount. Sec. 14-3 says building permit fees follow a separate fee schedule kept on file with the city clerk. Current amounts are on the city site at hialeahfl.gov. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2; adopted by Sec. 14-2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Hialeah building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
If you skip it
Hialeah's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hialeah | — | Yes | You need a building permit to construct a new accessory d… |
| Doral | 5 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Miami Gardens | 7 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to construct an accessory dwel… |
| Miramar | 7 mi | Yes | Building a new accessory dwelling unit is new constructio… |
| Miami | 9 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to construct an accessory (anc… |
| Miami Beach | 10 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Hialeah
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Hialeah?
The code names no ADU amount. Sec. 14-3 says building permit fees follow a separate fee schedule kept on file with the city clerk. Current amounts are on the city site at hialeahfl.gov.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Hialeah can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.