ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Miami Gardens, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Miami Gardens.
You need a building permit to construct an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, casita, or similar). Sec. 6-177 defines an ADU as a self-contained structure incidental to the primary home; building a new dwelling unit is new construction, and Florida's exempt list covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing work, with no Building category, so the ADU is not exempt from a permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit to construct an accessory dwel… |
| Fee | The code lists no dollar amounts. Fees are set by the city; check with the Building Division at www.miamigardens-fl.gov. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 6-177; FBC 105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as adopted by Miami Gardens (Sec. 28-45); ADU defined in Sec. 6-177 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Miami Gardens 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
Miami Gardens'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 Gardens | — | Yes | You need a building permit to construct an accessory dwel… |
| Miramar | 6 mi | Yes | Building a new accessory dwelling unit is new constructio… |
| Hialeah | 7 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to construct a new accessory d… |
| Davie | 9 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Miami Beach | 11 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Doral | 12 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Miami Gardens
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Miami Gardens?
The code lists no dollar amounts. Fees are set by the city; check with the Building Division at www.miamigardens-fl.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?
Miami Gardens 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.