Shed permit in Miami, FL
Yes — you need a permit for shed work in Miami.
You need a building permit for a storage shed or other small backyard building. There is no square-foot size that lets you skip it: sheds and accessory buildings are not on Miami's exempt list in Sec. 10-5, and the state list in FBC 105.2 has no Building category. If your lot sits in a flood hazard area, Sec. 20-6 adds rules on top: an accessory structure below the base flood elevation may be used only for parking or storage and must meet the flood damage rules.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit for a storage shed or other sm… |
| Fee | The code names no shed-specific amount. For homes of up to three dwelling units, the 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 | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 10-5(A); flood areas in Sec. 20-6 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as amended by City of Miami Code ch. 10 |
Most building codes exempt a shed up to 200 sq ft. Miami 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 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 building permit for a storage shed or other sm… |
| Miami Beach | 4 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Hialeah | 9 mi | Yes | You need a building permit for a storage shed or other sm… |
| Doral | 10 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Miami Gardens | 12 mi | Yes | You need a building permit for a storage shed or other sm… |
| Miramar | 16 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Miami
Questions people ask
How much does a shed permit cost in Miami?
The code names no shed-specific amount. For homes of up to three dwelling units, the 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.