Homeowner & Small Business Permitting Assistance

Miami-Dade County has developed free Homeowner and Small Business Permitting Assistance services to assist these individuals with their permit needs.

Whether you are renovating or remodeling your dream home, opening a small business, or correcting a zoning or building violation, the Homeowner and Small Business Assistance Team helps to navigate you through the permitting process at no additional cost. The only fees required to obtain your permits are the regular permit fees set forth in the fee schedule.

What is the cost of this service?

There is no cost associated with this permitting advisory. Consultations with our permitting assistance specialists are free of charge.

How will the service be provided?

We provide our services in person, over the phone, or via email. It is recommended to schedule in-person appointments for complex cases because several trade disciplines may need to be consulted. Our permitting specialists will provide you with step-by-step support includes:

Verification of whether a permit is required, and the type of permit required for your project or business
Steps for the permitting process that apply to your case
Applications and requirements needed for your project
Learn how to complete forms, submit applications, receive and check status updates, retrieve your permit and other approved documents, and schedule/track your inspections
Where to find permit fee information
When a different department or section should be consulted by you, it will be indicated by our specialists. Depending on the complexity of your case, they may accompany you to meet in-person with the relevant discipline.

What should I expect of this service?

Our specialists will provide you with the proper procedure to obtain your permit. In a violation case, you will be presented with as many routes as possible to comply with the codes, giving you options for your decision. Since every case is different, you should expect:

Your property address will be checked for any building or zoning violations, open permits, and applications and how to address them
The process for obtaining a permit for your specific case (new or legalization projects) will be explained and you will be guided by our specialists through the entire permitting process
You will receive assistance in completing your forms and preparing the appropriate requirements for a seamless review from plan processors
You will receive follow-ups regarding your application status and how to check it online
Depending on the scope of your project, you may have to speak or meet with several disciplines to verify the requirements (in person, by phone or virtually)
In some cases, our team will review the pending disapproval remarks with Plan Review Staff so we can provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of what is required
Depending on the scope of your project or legalization, you may be required to hire a design professional (architect or engineer) to prepare plans and drawings to obtain the permit
You will be informed if a licensed contractor is necessary or if you are eligible to apply for an owner-builder permit
For some permits, you may submit sketches or drawings prepared by yourself with our guidance
Become familiar with your responsibilities as a property owner when applying for a permit.

Is there anything I should bring to my first consultation?

When you come in for your first appointment, bring the following with you:

Proof of ownership of the property (warranty deed or tax receipt); or a copy of the lease if a small business; especially if you recently purchased your property or started a new business
If available, existing plans for your home or business showing floor layout; or plans for proposed work from an architect or engineer
If available, a survey or site plan for the property
If applicable, a copy of the notice of any violations for which you started work without the required permits; or for which your existing permit expired with pending inspections or completion holds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once your application and documents has been accepted and the upfront fees paid. The drawings will be reviewed concurrently and electronically on the same set of construction documents within the same time by the trades. The initial review of your application and documents may take between 24 hours and 10 business days, depending on the type of permit. If corrections are needed, known as “Reworks”, reviews may take between 24 hours and 10 business days once corrections are submitted.

Using your assigned process number, you can check the status of your application/documents on the Portal (Gold Key). In either case, you will be notified via the contact method(s) provided on your application.

Clarifications may require consultation with plan processors. Visit Plan Review Information for more information.
Surveys show the land, structures, and features on your property as schematic diagrams of angles and measurements.

The options below may assist in determining whether your property has a survey, or if you may need to obtain one:
- If you just bought your home, check if you received a survey along with the closing documents
- You may also check our Microfilm & Plan Library Section to see if there are any existing surveys on record. For assistance, you may call 786-315-2340, or email microfilm@miamidade.gov
- To obtain a new survey of your property, you will need to hire a surveyor.
Your business location may or may not comply with the requirements for your activity. Hence, if the location was an office before and now you wish to open a retail store, you will need to change the use to comply with retail store requirements.

To establish the new use, a building permit is required to verify that the location complies with Florida Building Code and Miami-Dade Code requirements. Upon obtaining your permit and having it inspected, you may obtain your Certificate of Use.

If the location will be used for the same activity, a Certificate of Use can be obtained through the Portal.

For Certificate of Use assistance, contact 786-315-2660 or email RER-CUINFO@miamidade.gov.
You may schedule an appointment using the following options:
- Schedule an appointment online
- Call 786-315-2388
- Email CHAT@miamidade.gov.
Learn more about the type of permit you need by visiting Common Permits & Certificates. In general, depending on your project, you may use the following forms:
- Building Permit Application (yellow form)
- Zoning Improvement Application (green form)
- Plan Revision/Shop Drawing Application (blue form)
- Contact Sheet will be required for any type of submittal (initial or rework)
- Owner-Builder Disclosure Statement, for those property owners that qualify to obtain owner-builder permits.