Driveway permit in Miami, FL
Yes — you need a permit for driveway work in Miami.
You need a driveway approach construction permit for the part of a driveway that meets the street, including a new or widened curb cut, and the fee list prices it for each driveway. A driveway that stays entirely on your own lot is not on the exempt list in Sec. 10-5 either, so a building permit applies to that part of the job. If you already have a driveway that was poured without a permit, the driveway amnesty program in Sec. 10-76 may let you bring it into compliance.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a driveway approach construction permit for the … |
| Fee | A driveway approach construction permit costs $115.00 for each driveway. The same fee section also lists permit renewal, after-the-fact permit, and inspection or re-inspection fees. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 54-43(7) |
| Based on | City of Miami Code ch. 54, art. II (streets and sidewalks) |
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. Sec. 54-43 also charges a higher after-the-fact permit fee when you apply after the work is done.
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 driveway approach construction permit for the … |
| Miami Beach | 4 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Hialeah | 9 mi | Yes | You need a permit to pour, widen, or replace a driveway. … |
| Miami Gardens | 12 mi | Yes | You need a permit to pour, widen, or replace a driveway. … |
| Plantation | 24 mi | Yes | You need a permit to pour, widen, or replace a driveway. … |
| Fort Lauderdale | 26 mi | Yes | Building, paving, or widening a rock or paved driveway or… |
Other work in Miami
Questions people ask
How much does a driveway permit cost in Miami?
A driveway approach construction permit costs $115.00 for each driveway. The same fee section also lists permit renewal, after-the-fact permit, and inspection or re-inspection fees.. 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.