Annual Facility Permit

What is an Annual Permit?

An Annual Facility Permit (AFP) is a 365-day permit that allows qualifying building owners, utilities, and governmental agencies to complete routine or emergency servicing, repair, replacements, and refurbishing of building service systems and certain building components without applying for an individual permit for each small alteration, as long as the work stays within the approved AFP scope.

Why Use an AFP?

AFP is intended to support non-interruption of service and allow timely maintenance work while remaining in compliance with the Florida Building Code (FBC).

Legal Authority

The City of Miami Building Department issues Annual Facility Permits in accordance with Florida Building Code (FBC) Sections 105.1.1 and 105.1.2, which authorize annual facility permits and require the permit holder to maintain records of work performed.

Before You Apply

What types of work can an AFP cover?

AFP may be issued for repair, refurbishing, replacement, and minor remodeling of building service systems and building components by a licensed contractor, when the work does not affect life safety or life safety systems and stays within the AFP allowable scope.

Click Here to View ALL Allowable Scopes & Limitations

Building (Architectural) - Work Allowed	Building (Architectural) - Limitations
Non-Load bearing Partitions	No change in group, occupancy load or exit access patterns, or increase the fire hazard allowed.
Doors	Alterations cannot increase the allowable travel distance or create dead-end corridors.
Modular furniture
Ceilings	Altered elements cannot be part of a fire-rated assembly or smoke partition(s).
Flooring	Doors which are required to be self-closing cannot be altered.
Replace cabinets and tabletops	Fire-rated plenums or ceilings must be replaced within the same working day.
	Any scope of work over 160 SF requires DERM review and approval prior to commencement.

Mechanical - Work Allowed	Mechanical - Limitations
Replace the exhaust fan	Same location
Replace of Chiller Water piping & Installation	Same location
HVAC	Like for like
Ductwork relocation and replacement	Ductwork cannot penetrate or be installed in a fire-rated assembly.
Diffuser relocation and replacement	Changes cannot affect smoke evacuation system or fire alarm duct mounted smoke detectors connected to the fire alarm system.

Electrical - Work Allowed	Electrical - Limitations
Low Voltage / Interior wiring
Branch circuits relocation and replacement	Altered elements cannot be installed within or penetrate a fire-rated assembly.
Lighting fixture relocation, replacement, or removal	Branch circuits cannot exceed 40 amps and 240 volts.
Receptacle outlet relocation, replacement, or removal	Lighting circuits cannot exceed 20 amps and 277 volts.
	Altered elements cannot be part of the fire alarm system.
	Branch circuits, lighting fixtures and circuits, and receptacle outlets cannot be installed in hazardous locations as defined by the National Electrical Code.
	No Exit Lights relocation
	No Electrical Panel relocation

Plumbing - Work Allowed	Plumbing - Limitations
Sink replacement	Existing fixtures cannot be relocated
Toilet replacement	New fixtures cannot be added. No relocation
Urinal replacement	No relocation
Electric water heater replacement	Up to 60 AMPS
Drinking fountain replacement or relocation	New water heaters (non-replacements) cannot be installed under an Annual Facility Permit. (Same size and wattage as those being replaced only.)
Repair and replacement of damaged vent, waste, and water piping. (Extensions and new connections are prohibited.)

Plumbing Gas - Work Allowed	Plumbing Gas - Limitations
Cap-Off
Appliances replace	Like for Like
Fire - Work Allowed	Fire - Limitations
Fire Alarm (<20 devices)	Fire alarm system alteration of a total of 20 or fewer initiating devices and notification devices, or the installation or replacement of a fire communicator connected to an existing fire alarm control panel.
Fire Sprinkler (<20 heads)	Fire protection system alteration of a total of 20 or fewer fire sprinklers in which the sprinklers are of the same k-factor and located in spaces where there is no change of hazard classification or increased system coverage area, or the installation or replacement of an equivalent fire sprinkler system component.

Key Program Rules

AFP expires 365 days from the date of issuance.
A separate AFP is required for each facility and each trade (as applicable).
AFP cannot be issued for properties with open violations related to work without a permit.
AFP cannot be issued for change of occupancy purposes or when a Certificate of Use (CU) is required by the Zoning Department. No Certificate of Completion (CC) or Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is issued with AFP.
Additional work that falls within AFP scope can be added during the year by submitting plans as a revision to the permit.
All altered areas must comply with Florida Building Code (FBC) accessibility standards.

IMPORTANT: If your project requires DERM approval, it must be submitted separately prior to commencing work. DERM approval is required if the scope of work is over 160 square feet.

Online

Step 1.Submit the AFP Master Application Online

Login to iBuild or create an account.
Search for the address
Select the Applicant Role
Enter the contact information
Select Annual Facility from the Job Category
Select Commercial under Property Type
Select the Type of Annual Facility (Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, or Plumbing Gas)
Enter Project Total Cost
Complete the Additional Options section
Review the Data Summary section
Complete the Plan Submittal Information section and assign the Primary Point of Contact
Review the Upfront and Estimated Fees
Click on Finish

Step 2.Upload Required Documents

Upload required documents and drawings to ProjectDox

Step 3.Provide Required Forms

Depending on the scope of your project, you may need to provide the following forms as part of your applications process:

Permit Application: Signed and notarized by owner/tenant/lessee and licensed contractor.
Annual Facility Affidavit of Compliance: Signed and notarized by a the licensed contractor.

Step 4.Obtain DERM Approval (if required)

If your the work of your project is over 160 square feet, you will need DERM approval prior to starting your work.

Step 5.Pay Fees & Obtain Trade Sub-Permits

The AFP incurs a building permit fee and is valid for one calendar year (365 days) from the date of issuance.
Pay the AFP fee, and obtain sub-permits per trade, and pay any applicable trade permit fees.
Ensure you complete sub-permit applications, as applicable, for each required sub-trade.

Pay Fees

Step 6.Maintain a Work Log

Maintaining a detailed, signed, on-site work log is a requirement of AFP. Your work log must clearly outline all alterations performed, including location, date, and description), signed by the licensed contractor performing the work.

Step 7.Before AFP Expires

Prior to the end of the 365-day permit period, the contractor must notify the building department to close out the permit.

Step 8.Inspections & Closeout

Once all work has been completed and ready for inspections, the contractor performing the work must request an inspection. Prior to completion, the contractor is required to call in progress inspections.
Here is what the contractor must have available at the inspection:
- Signed and sealed as-built drawings.
- Signed and sealed as-built inspection letter by a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect.
  - The "as-built letter MUST include the following statement:
    - "The as-built certificated and plans must indicate the structure will comply with the minimum requirements of the current existing Florida Building Code (FBC)."
- Detailed work log (as specified above).

Step 9.City Access & Audits

The Building Official must always have access to the log and retains the right to conduct inspections at the facility site as needed. Random audits and periodic inspections may be performed. Work that does not meet minimum FBC standards will require re-inspection.

FAQs

What happens is work exceeds AFP scope?

Work that exceeds AFP scope or does not meet minimum FBC standards may require additional permitting requirements, as determined by the Building Official.

Do I need a separate permit for each building?

Yes. A separate AFP is required for each facility and for each trade.

Can I add more work later?

Yes, as long as it stays within AFP scope and limitations, you can add work by submitting plans as revisions.

Contact Us

Location

Miami Riverside Center (MRC)

444 SW 2nd Ave, 4th floor

Miami

33130

View Map

Need Help?

Visit the City of Miami Building Department permit counter, located on the 4th floor of the MRC, or call the Building Department for guidance on eligibility and application requirements.

305-416-1100
building@miamigov.com