Miami Lakes, Florida Building Permit Guide

In Miami Lakes, the Town of Miami Lakes Building Department at Town Hall, 6601 Main Street, issues building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, and applications, payments and inspection requests run through the Town’s eTRAKiT portal. A new home is charged $1.30 per sq ft under the Town’s fee schedule, with 30% paid up front when you apply.

What requires a building permit in Miami Lakes?

New construction and alterations to any structure in the Town need a permit. The Town’s Permit Types & Checklists page groups the common jobs:

Every application includes the Town’s HOA/ACC affidavit, whether or not the property has a homeowners’ association. The Town recommends getting HOA approval before applying, but a building permit does not satisfy HOA rules and the Town does not enforce deed restrictions.

Miami Lakes building department: who handles permitting

Miami Lakes permit types and forms

The Town issues building permits plus electrical, mechanical and plumbing sub-permits. eTRAKiT handles applications, fee payment, review tracking, inspection scheduling and results, and also certificate of use applications.

Contractor registration is mandatory. File the Town’s Contractor Registration Form, and have the insurance company send the certificates to contractorupdate@miamilakes-fl.gov with a cover letter describing the trades covered. A change of contractor uses the Town’s Change of Contractor form, submitted in person.

Forms published by the Building Department include:

• Miami Lakes Building Permit Application with the HOA/ACC affidavit (notarised)
• Owner Builder Affidavit with instructions
• Roofing Package (Florida Building Code, 8th Edition) and Metal Roof Affidavit
• New Windows and Doors Installation form and New Fence Affidavit
• Solar System Disclosure Form and Special Inspector Form
• Affidavit for 15-day Temporary Electrical Service
• Covenant of Construction within Right of Way
• Early Start Request, and CO, TCO and certificate of completion applications
• Miami-Dade County Application for Municipal Permit, for work that also needs county approval

Miami Lakes building permit cost

The Building Department’s published fee schedule (headed October 1, 2020) prices new buildings by area and most other work by estimated cost. A non-refundable up-front fee of 30% of the permit fee is paid at application.

New home and commercial fees include the general electrical, mechanical and plumbing work; sub-permits that need extra review after the master permit is issued are charged separately. For example, a 2,400 sq ft new house is $3,120 at $1.30 per sq ft, of which $936 is the up-front fee.

Starting work without a permit costs double the permit fee plus $100 (plus $200 and $500 for later offences). Since April 1, 2026, card payments online carry a third-party convenience fee of 2.50% plus $0.30 per transaction.

Trade permits in Miami Lakes

The Building Department issues electrical, mechanical and plumbing work as sub-permits under the master permit, reviewed and inspected by its own Electrical Inspector and Examiner, Chief Mechanical Inspector and Plumbing Inspector. On a new home or new commercial building the general trade work is already in the master permit fee.

The Town’s fee schedule waives the up-front fee for some green building items, such as gas water heaters, solar water heaters, low-flow plumbing fixtures and tinted impact windows, when program funds are available. A 15-day temporary electrical service needs its own affidavit.

How to get a building permit in Miami Lakes

Inspections in Miami Lakes

Inspection requests are taken Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for the following business day. Book them in eTRAKiT from your contractor account, through NextMe using the QR code on the permit card, by phone (305-364-6100 or 305-827-4015) or in person at Town Hall. Today’s inspections can be checked in eTRAKiT.

New construction and major remodels end with a Certificate of Occupancy; other jobs close with a certificate of completion or final inspection. The Town also runs an Early Start Request Program, which lets work begin while the permit is still in review.

Local Miami Lakes details that matter

Building recertification: the Town applies Miami-Dade County’s recertification program. Buildings reach it at 30 years and every 10 years after, and condo and co-op buildings of three or more storeys within three miles of the coast at 25 years. Reports by a Florida engineer or architect are due within 90 days of the notice; small buildings (occupant load of 10 or fewer and 2,000 sq ft or less) are exempt.

Old county permits: an expired permit issued by Miami-Dade County can be renewed and closed for $150 with an architect’s or engineer’s affidavit showing the work was finished before March 1, 2002.

Duplicate plans: copies of permit plans are requested with the Request for Duplicate Plans form, emailed to the Building Department.

Florida building code

The Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), has applied statewide since 31 December 2023; the Florida Building Commission has proposed the 9th Edition (2026) to take effect on 31 December 2026. Florida permit rules

Miami Lakes permit search and official resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Florida Building Commission
• Building Department fee schedule (PDF)
• Permits and inspections
• eTRAKiT online portal
• Miami Lakes Building Department
• Miami Lakes permit types and checklists
• Miami Lakes building permit application and HOA affidavit
• Miami Lakes roofing package
• Miami Lakes contractor registration form

Miami Lakes permit FAQ

Who handles building permits in Miami Lakes?

The Town of Miami Lakes Building Department at Town Hall, 6601 Main Street, not Miami-Dade County.

How much is a building permit for a new house in Miami Lakes?

$1.30 per sq ft for 651 to 15,000 sq ft, including the general trades, with 30% paid up front, plus the 10% technology fee and state and county surcharges.

Do I need the HOA affidavit if I have no HOA?

Yes. The Town requires the HOA/ACC affidavit with every building permit application, whether or not there is an association.

Do contractors have to register?

Yes. Registration is mandatory, and insurance certificates must come straight from the insurer to contractorupdate@miamilakes-fl.gov.

How do I request an inspection?

Use eTRAKiT or NextMe, call 305-364-6100, or visit Town Hall. Requests are taken Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for the next business day.

Simplify Miami Lakes permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Florida. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Miami Lakes permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.