This step-by-step guide is designed to help you navigate the permitting process with clarity and confidence. From submitting your initial application and uploading required documents to receiving final approval, we have outlined each stage to ensure you meet all regulatory requirements. Our goal is to simplify the process and support you every step of the way.
To further assist you, we created a selection of additional resources that you can find at the bottom of the page.
Please read the information below:
Florida requires permits for many types of construction and remodeling projects. This includes a new building, home expansion, making improvements, or doing repairs, especially if they involve plumbing, electricity, gas, or structural work. Even smaller jobs like changing windows, doors, siding, or removing a wall inside often need a permit.
This is a general overview of the steps required to obtain a permit from the following departments within the City of Miami:
First-time users of the ePlan system must create an account using a working email account. Once you create your account, you will receive a welcome email and a New Account request email with instructions to validate your account.
NOTE: Depending on your application, additional permits/permissions from other City departments and/or from other government entities may be required (Hearing Boards, PZAB, etc.).
Look for Instructions
The Permitting Landing page provides comprehensive information to support both the initiation and management of permits. In addition, a Permit Catalog page has been developed, which includes a structured set of instruction for a variety of permit application types. This resource is maintained on an ongoing basis and is regularly updated to reflect the most current information and guidance.
The City of Miami's ePlan (Electronic Plan) Review is designed to help you apply for a range of permit types. ProjectDox serves as an integral component of this process, providing a platform for uploading required documents and plans, as well as for reviewing and responding to comments from City of Miami staff.
Depending on which permit you are looking to apply for, you will be required to create an online application in one of the following portals:
- To apply for a Building permit, access iBuild portal
- To apply for a permit through the Department of Resilience and Public Works, access iPW portal
- To apply for a special permit with the Department of Planning or Office of Zoning, access the OAS portal
Please visit the Permitting Landing page to ensure that appropriate steps are followed for your specific project, and that all required documents have been gathered prior to submitting an application.
During the application process, you will be informed of the required documents and/or plans for the permit you are requesting. You can find the document checklists & resources on the permitting documents page. (NOTE: You can NOT use these forms to apply for a permit).
NOTE: If you are submitting a request for a building permit and your project requires approval from Miami-Dade County’s Department of Environmental Management (DERM), Water and Sewer Department (WAS-D), or the payment of Impact Fee(s), you will be required to complete the Miami Dade County Municipal Application included in the PDF application package generated through the iBuild portal.
Depending on the scope of your work, an upfront fee may be required prior to submitting documents and/or drawings, whether in person or through an online submission. Upon completion of the permit application, you will be notified if an Upfront Fee is applicable.
Please access the City of Miami Payments portal to make payments.
NOTE: If you have applied for a Building, Planning, or Zoning permit, the Transaction ID must be used to submit payment for applicable fees. If you have applied for a Public Works permit, you will be required to use the assigned customer number for payment processing.
To pay upfront fees in the City of Miami Payments portal with a Transaction ID:
- Click the Search for Transaction IDs button
- Enter the Transaction ID
- Click the Search button
To pay upfront fees on the iBuild platform with a Transaction ID:
- Click the Payments menu
- Click Pay Now option
- Select By Financial Transaction ID from the Search dropdown menu
- Enter the Transaction ID
- Click the Search button
Note: You can also click the Pay Now button on the iBuild home page.
To pay the upfront fees with a customer number:
Note: The City of Miami Building Department upfront fees do not include the upfront fees from Miami-Dade County external agencies (DERM, WAS-D, Impact Fees). All upfront fees accessed by the above agencies shall be paid separately once a Miami Dade County Project Number (M#) has been issued.
Depending on the type of permit that you are seeking, you will be required to collect very specific documentation. Visit Permitting Forms & Documents to browse and view the different checklists for different permits, and other specifics on our Permit Catalog page. This page is maintained on an ongoing basis and is regularly updated.
- Proper file naming is essential. You must follow the Standard Naming Convention for Drawings & Documents without exception.
- Files that are not named correctly will be returned to you before passing the Prescreen phase, which may result in delays to the review process.
- When reuploading documents or drawings, do not alter the original file name.
If any of your documents require a professional 'signed and sealed' certification, it must be completed digitally. Visit the Digitally Sign & Seal Documents page to learn more.
The City’s ePlan (Electronic Plan) Review allows you to submit drawings and documents electronically, by uploading them to ProjectDox. Once you have completed your application and paid any applicable Upfront Fees, you will receive an email with the subject “Applicant Upload Task” with instructions on how to complete this step.
Note: if you are a first-time user of ProjectDox, you must create an account using a valid and working email account. Upon the completion of your account creation, you will receive a Welcome email and a New Account request email with instructions to validate your account.
Please visit How to Submit Drawings & Documents page for more information.
Note: If you have a legacy paper plans project that you would like to drop off for digitization or need help uploading plans/documents, we have coordinated a service with Blue Digital, scanning vendor. Customer may contact ePlanBuilding@miamigov.com or call (305) 416-1605 for additional information.
Visit the Blue Digital page for additional information and forms.
To upload files, you must have a task assigned to you in ProjectDox.
- Click the Project Number
- Click the Files tab
- Click the folder where the files will be uploaded
- Click the Upload Files button
- Click the Browse for Files button
- Select the file
- Click the Open button
- Click the Start Upload button
- Click the Submit button
- Click the Continue button
Note: If you are re-submitting corrected pages, please ensure they are uploaded using the exact same file names as the original submissions. Changing the document name may cause delays in processing.
Please visit the ProjectDox Portal to upload your files
NOTE: If you are applying for a utility construction or non-construction permit managed by the Department of Resilience & Public Works, you may also submit hard copy documents in person for scanning at their office located at 444 SW 2nd Avenue, 8th Floor, Miami, FL 33130.
Once you have uploaded your required documents, a City of Miami’s Permitting Coordinator will review your application and submittals for acceptance.
NOTE: If there are any issues or corrections to be made, we will notify you via email.
TIP: A common error is not adhering to the City’s standard file naming conventions or including multiple pages within a single file for drawings or documents
Once your application is accepted, it will proceed to the phase review stage of the ePlan Review process. Please note the estimated periods for the first review cycle: approximately 14 business days for building permit applications, around 35 business days for special permit applications, and about 40 business days for Utility-Excavation or Non-Construction permit applications.
Note: If there is a request for corrections, you will receive a “Resubmit Applicant Task” email message with instructions and next steps.
Once you have addressed the corrections, you will need to replace each document and/or drawing where the plan reviewer applied a “Changemark’ on and reupload it. You must also answer any checklist item or review comments.
Please access the ProjectDox Portal to download your approved files
Note: If you need to resubmit corrected pages, you must ensure they are uploaded with the same file name used when they were originally uploaded. Changing your document name could result in delays in the review process.
To reupload files in ProjectDox:
- Click the Project Number
- Click the Files tab
- Click the folder where the files will be uploaded
- Click the Upload Files button
- Click the Browse For Files button
- Select the file
- Click the Open button
- Click the Start Upload button
- Click the Submit button
- Click the Continue button
Await Approval, Finalize
Once your application has been approved by the City of Miami’s Building Department, you are required to complete several final steps, which may include adding a contractor on the iBuild platform. The Add/Update Contractor document must be signed, sealed, and uploaded to ProjectDox.
Please access the iBuild Portal to add a contractor.
Note: If the approved application is for the Department of Resilience & Public Works, the main point of contact will receive an email, and it will need to accept and pay all the related permit fees for a permit to be issued.
To add a contractor in iBuild:
- Click the Manage Application menu
- Click the Add/Change Contractor and Subcontractor for Permit option
- Enter the Process Number
- Click the Search button
- Enter the Qualifier License
- Click the Search button
- Select the Company from the dropdown menu
- Click the Finish button
- Click the Download Form Now button
Some special permits require that you go before the Hearing Boards division for rezones, exceptions, and more. You must follow these detailed instructions for how to request a hearing, which start with a Hearing Boards meeting.
Once you have received the Approval email, you will have to return to iBuild and pull the permit to see the detailed information and the corresponding fees that you might have to pay.
Please visit the iBuild platform to pull a permit.
If you are a contractor and are eligible based on your respective qualifier(s) and you are the master permit holder, you may pull the permit online. This is also applicable to all sub-contractors who plan to pull a sub-permit online.
If you are the owner, and you plan to complete a home project on your own, you will be required to complete and pass the Owner/Builder test. This test is administered in person at the Building Department in the Miami Riverside Center.
To pull a permit in iBuild:
- Click the Manage Application menu
- Click Pull Permit option
- Enter the Process Number
- Click the Search button
Pay Permit Fees
After you pull the permit and review the information you will be required to pay the permit fees.
Please visit the City of Miami Payments portal to make payments.
Note: If you applied for a Building, Planning, or Zoning permit, you would use the Transaction ID to pay for the fees. If you are a Public Works utility company, you would use the customer number.
To pay permit fees in the City of Miami Payments portal with a Transaction ID:
- Click the Search for Transaction IDs button
- Enter the Transaction ID
- Click the Search button
To pay permit fees on the iBuild platform with a Transaction ID:
- Click the Payments menu
- Click Pay Now option
- Select By Financial Transaction ID from the Search dropdown menu
- Enter the Transaction ID
- Click the Search button
Note: You can also click the Pay Now button in the iBuild home page.
To Pay for the permit fees with a customer number:
Download Approved Plans & Documents
After the fees payment is completed, you will receive an email letting you know that your approved and sealed files are available for download from the Approved folder in ProjectDox.
Please visit ProjectDox to download your approved files.
Note: If you applied for a Construction or Non-Construction permit with the Department of Resilience and Public Works, your permit card will also be available for download from the Approved folder in ProjectDox.
To download the approved files from the ProjectDox platform:
- Click the Files tab
- Click the Approved folder
- Check the box of the file you wish to download
- Click the Download icon
Apply for Sub-Permits, if Necessary
A sub-permit, such as electrical, mechanical, or fire, is required for specific aspects of a building project that is already in progress under a master permit.
Please visit the Get a Sub-Permit page for additional information.
It is a requirement that you have your permit card and a copy of the approved plans at your project site. Failure to have these documents on site will result in a violation from Code Compliance.
After you have finished work, you will have to undergo inspections to close your permit. We have outlined some of the steps for getting inspections on the page below.
To schedule an Inspection on the iBuild platform:
- Click the Inspections menu
- Click the Schedule Inspection option
- Enter the Permit Number
- Review the information in the General Information and the Permit Holder sections
- Click the Next button
- Select a date from the Schedule Date dropdown menu
- Enter additional information in the Instructions to Inspection field
- Click the Next button
- Select the Inspection to be performed
- Click the Finish button
For additional information please visit the Inspections page.