ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Miami Beach, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Miami Beach.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | No size threshold in the code |
| Fee | Building permit fees follow Appendix A, the city's fee schedule (Sec. 14-61); the code text does not list dollar amounts. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2; Sec. 14-401 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code, Building, 2023 (8th ed.), adopted by City (Sec. 14-401) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Miami Beach 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.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Miami Beach'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach | — | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Miami | 4 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to construct an accessory (anc… |
| Hialeah | 10 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to construct a new accessory d… |
| Miami Gardens | 11 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to construct an accessory dwel… |
| Doral | 13 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Miramar | 16 mi | Yes | Building a new accessory dwelling unit is new constructio… |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Miami Beach
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Miami Beach?
Building permit fees follow Appendix A, the city's fee schedule (Sec. 14-61); the code text does not list dollar amounts.. 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?
Miami Beach 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.