ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Miami, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Miami.
You need a building permit to construct an accessory (ancillary) dwelling unit such as a garage apartment or casita, because it is new construction of a dwelling unit. Sec. 10-1 says the building code covers the construction and enlargement of every building or structure, and the city has dedicated ADU rules: Sec. 2-214 ties ADU compliance to the Miami 21 Zoning Code Article 3, Section 3.18 ADU Standards, and Sec. 10-77 runs an amnesty program for existing unpermitted ADUs. Building a new ADU is not on any exempt list and requires both building and zoning approval.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit to construct an accessory (anc… |
| Fee | The code names no ADU-specific amount. For homes of up to three dwelling units, the residential building permit fee is figured from the estimated construction cost, including labor and materials (Sec. 10-18). Current amounts are on the city site at miamigov.com. |
| Review time | 30 days |
| Code section | Sec. 2-214; Sec. 10-77; Sec. 10-1 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as amended by City of Miami Code ch. 10, with Miami 21 Zoning Code Art. 3 Sec. 3.18 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Miami 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
If you do the work without the required permit, the city can post a stop work order and charge a ticketed fine of up to $500.00 per day plus costs, with possible per-diem and irreparable-harm fines (Sec. 10-131).
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 | — | Yes | You need a building permit to construct an accessory (anc… |
| Miami Beach | 4 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Hialeah | 9 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to construct a new accessory d… |
| Doral | 10 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Miami Gardens | 12 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to construct an accessory dwel… |
| 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
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Miami?
The code names no ADU-specific amount. For homes of up to three dwelling units, the residential building permit fee is figured from the estimated construction cost, including labor and materials (Sec. 10-18). Current amounts are on the city site at miamigov.com.. 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 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.