Demolition permit in Miami Gardens, FL
Yes — you need a permit for demolition work in Miami Gardens.
You need a demolition permit to tear down a structure or part of one. Florida's exempt list covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing work, so demolition is not exempt. After the structure is down, Sec. 28-69 requires you to keep the vacant lot cleared and safe. Note that the underground-utility exemption in Sec. 26-56 for a single-family owner is only about locating buried lines before you dig, not about the building permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a demolition permit to tear down a structure or … |
| 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; Sec. 28-69 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as adopted by Miami Gardens (Sec. 28-45) |
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 demolition permit to tear down a structure or … |
| Miramar | 6 mi | Yes | Demolishing a building or part of one needs a permit. Bef… |
| Hialeah | 7 mi | Yes | You need a permit to demolish a structure or part of one.… |
| Davie | 9 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Miami Beach | 11 mi | Yes | You need a demolition permit, and you must give notice to… |
| Doral | 12 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Miami Gardens
Questions people ask
How much does a demolition 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.