South Miami, Florida Building Permit Guide

The City of South Miami Building Department issues building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits inside city limits, online through eTRAKiT or at the permit counter in the Sylva Martin Building, 6130 Sunset Drive. New homes are charged 1.5% of the construction value (commercial 2%), with a $150 minimum, and inspections called in before 3:45 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day.

What requires a permit in South Miami?

The Building Department enforces the Florida Building Code within the city and works with other city departments on local codes. A project may need planning, zoning, tree or right-of-way approval as well as a building permit.

Planning and other non-building approvals are separate. The same page lists applications for variances, rezonings, special exceptions, design review, temporary signs, tree removal, outdoor seating and work in the public right-of-way.

South Miami building department: who handles permitting

South Miami permit types and eTRAKiT

South Miami has separate applications for building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits. To file online, create a public profile in the city’s eTRAKiT portal. Contractors get company access by emailing their licences and insurance to building@somifl.gov with the email address to keep on file, then signing in as a contractor and using Forgot Password to set a password.

Under Apply/New Permit, pick the permit type (grouped by commercial and residential trades) and subtype, describe the work, enter the job value and address, and attach the application and documents named to the city’s Online Naming Convention. The fee shown at submission is not the final fee: you are told the final amount once the permit is approved, and can only pay then. Review comments for each trade appear on the permit’s review tab, and corrections are uploaded with the paper clip icon. Public accounts can link a permit to pay or schedule inspections.

Other city forms include the Owner Builder Form, Revision Form, CO/CC Application, Change of Contractor, Driveway Agreement, AC Screen Agreement, Special Inspector Form, Roofing Appendix and Roof Deck Affidavit, standard fence details and a Wind Load Chart.

Permit costs and local fees

Permit fees are set by ordinance in the city’s Schedule of Fees and Fines, updated May 6, 2026. An initial, non-refundable share of the expected permit fee is due when plans are submitted and credited to the final fee; the schedule lists it both as a 30% up-front fee and as a 25% preliminary plan review fee.

For example, a new home with a construction value of $400,000 has a permit fee of $6,000.

A re-inspection after the second rejected inspection costs $150, plan review after a second rejection is $150 an hour, and revisions to approved drawings are $40 per sheet. A change of contractor costs 30% of the original permit fee ($100–$500). Working without a permit costs $150 plus double permit fees the first time, rising to $300 and $500 for repeat offenses. Using a private provider for plan review and inspections cuts the permit fee by 40%, or 25% for inspections only. Permits of $200 or less are not refunded.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other trade permits

South Miami publishes separate electrical, mechanical and plumbing permit applications, and inspections for building, roofing, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work are booked through the Building Department.

The city’s forms also include a roofing appendix, a special-inspector form and generator applications.

Alliance handles electrical permit expediting for contractors here. More on this: who pulls the electrical permit.

Application documents and plan requirements

Forms submitted to the permit desk must be originals and notarized, with two copies of any documents that go with them. The city’s Building Submittal Requirements sheet lists:

New commercial buildings also need Fire Department approval. For minor repairs, the city’s Minor Repairs form lists each trade in the scope, and roof truss work, new construction and damage to load-bearing walls require plans.

How to apply: 6-step local process

Inspections in South Miami

South Miami instructs applicants to call 305-663-6355 before 3:45 p.m. to schedule building, roofing, mechanical, electrical or plumbing inspections for the following business day. The permit number should be available when the request is made.

Construction is allowed Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is no weekend construction in residential districts. Non-residential districts at least 500 feet from a residential district may work Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No construction is allowed on Sundays or city-recognized holidays.

Inspections outside normal hours can be requested at $150 an hour with a 3-hour minimum, and the fee schedule lists a $500 fee for working on Sundays and holidays. A replacement permit card costs $15.

Local South Miami details that matter

County approvals: new homes and additions need Miami-Dade DERM sign-off and, for new homes, WASA approval before the city issues the building permit.

Trees: a tree removal permit costs $75 for the first tree and $35 for each additional tree.

Generators, signs and awnings: generators need Planning & Zoning approval before the building permit, and signs and awnings may need Planning Board approval.

Older buildings: the Building Department also handles the 40-year recertification of existing buildings, with a $500 fee.

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

South Miami 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 Code
• Current City Fee Schedule
• Forms and Applications
• Building Permit and Inspection Forms
• Building Division
• South Miami eTRAKiT portal
• South Miami Schedule of Fees (updated May 6, 2026)
• South Miami building submittal requirements
• South Miami eTRAKiT how-to guide

Frequently asked questions

Who issues building permits in South Miami?

The City of South Miami Building Department, in the Sylva Martin Building at 6130 Sunset Drive. Call 305-663-6355 or email Building@SoMiFL.gov.

How much is a building permit in South Miami?

New residential construction is 1.5% of the construction value and commercial 2%, with a $150 minimum. A residential re-roof is $0.35 per square foot and a pool $750.

How do I apply for a permit in South Miami?

Apply online through eTRAKiT, or file notarized original forms with two copies at the permit counter, open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. weekdays.

Do I need a permit to replace windows?

Yes. The fee is 1.5% of the value, up to $450, and you submit two copies of the NOA, a sketch of the openings and wind load calculations.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Call 305-663-6355 before 3:45 p.m. with your permit number for an inspection the next business day.

What does a failed inspection cost?

Re-inspections are charged at $150 each after the second rejected inspection.

Simplify South Miami 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 South Miami permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.