Deck permit in Miami Gardens, FL
Yes — you need a permit for deck work in Miami Gardens.
You need a building permit to build or replace a deck, whether it is attached to the house or freestanding. Florida's exempt list covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing work, so no deck size is exempt. Sec. 34-312 sets setbacks for patio slabs and similar features tied to the house, but that is a zoning rule about placement, not a way to skip the permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit to build or replace a deck, wh… |
| 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 | FBC 105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as adopted by Miami Gardens (Sec. 28-45) |
Most building codes exempt a deck up to 200 sq ft. Miami Gardens is stricter — a permit applies at any size.
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 build or replace a deck, wh… |
| Miramar | 6 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Hialeah | 7 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build or replace a deck, at… |
| Davie | 9 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Miami Beach | 11 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Doral | 12 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Miami Gardens
Questions people ask
How much does a deck 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.