Demolition permit in Miami, FL
Yes — you need a permit for demolition work in Miami.
You need a permit to demolish a building or any part of one. Sec. 10-1 says the building code covers the removal and demolition of every building or structure, and demolition is not on the exempt list in Sec. 10-5. While the work goes on you must also control soil erosion, waterway sediment, and airborne dust under Ch. 22.5, and if the outside of the building has lead-based paint, Ch. 10 Art. III limits how you may disturb it. After the building comes down, you must keep the vacant lot maintained under Sec. 10-102.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a permit to demolish a building or any part of o… |
| Fee | The code names no demolition amount. Sec. 10-9 sets a permit fee for buildings and structures that need a permit, and residential fees are figured from the estimated construction cost (Sec. 10-18). Current amounts are on the city site at miamigov.com. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 10-1; exemptions in Sec. 10-5 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as amended by City of Miami Code ch. 10 |
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.
If you skip it
If you do the work without the required permit, the city can post a stop work order and charge penalties.
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 permit to demolish a building or any part of o… |
| Miami Beach | 4 mi | Yes | You need a demolition permit, and you must give notice to… |
| Hialeah | 9 mi | Yes | You need a permit to demolish a structure or part of one.… |
| Doral | 10 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Miami Gardens | 12 mi | Yes | You need a demolition permit to tear down a structure or … |
| Miramar | 16 mi | Yes | Demolishing a building or part of one needs a permit. Bef… |
Other work in Miami
Questions people ask
How much does a demolition permit cost in Miami?
The code names no demolition amount. Sec. 10-9 sets a permit fee for buildings and structures that need a permit, and residential fees are figured from the estimated construction cost (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.