Shed Permit in Miami-Dade County, Florida
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before installing any utility shed or storage structure
Issued byMiami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
A building permit is required for all utility sheds in Miami-Dade County. Only one shed per residential lot is allowed under Miami-Dade County Code Section 33-20(k) with a maximum size of 400 square feet. The property owner must sign a notarized Attestation for Utility Shed form as a condition of the permit. Applications must include detailed drawings or a Notice of Acceptance for pre-manufactured sheds.
Typical threshold: only one utility shed up to 400 sq ft permitted per residential lot under County Code Section 33-20(k).
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When a permit is usually needed
Before installing any utility shed or storage structure
What your shed permit must meet in Florida
Florida sheds are built under the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), which requires structures to be designed for the state's wind loads, but Florida Statutes carve out two specific size-based reductions in what a shed must resist or include.
- As a structure, a shed is generally subject to the Florida Building Code's baseline wind-design requirement that applies to buildings and structures statewide (FBC Section 1609.1).
- Storage sheds not designed for human habitation with a floor area of 720 square feet or less are exempt from the code's mandatory windborne-debris-impact (opening protection) standard (F.S. 553.73(10)).
- Buildings of 400 square feet or less used in conjunction with a one- or two-family residence, which covers most sheds, are exempt from the code's door height and width requirements (F.S. 553.73(10)).
Based on Florida Statutes 553.73(10); Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Section 1609.1. Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What a shed permit costs in Miami-Dade County
How Miami-Dade County compares in Florida
That is the most permissive shed permit threshold among the Florida jurisdictions we have verified: Charlotte County draws the line at 68.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Alachua County | It depends | area of a single storage shed, exemption available once per property |
| Brevard County | It depends | A permit is required for an accessory structure (shed) over 100 square feet. |
| Charlotte County | It depends | A building permit is not required for plastic or rubber manufactured type sheds 68 square feet or less in area, though they must comply with zoning setbacks and be moved and secured if there is the threat of a tropical storm. |
| Escambia County | It depends | A portable, skid-mounted utility shed under 120 square feet does not require a permit; any utility shed with a poured slab or a post installed into the earth requires a permit regardless of size. |
| Hernando County | It depends | Sheds with impervious roof coverings of 120 square feet or less do not require a Zoning permit, provided other county regulations (setbacks, floodplain rules, one detached accessory building per parcel, etc.) are met |
| Hillsborough County | It depends | sheds under 150 sq ft are exempt; 150 sq ft or larger require a building permit |
| Miami-Dade Countythis page | Permit required | only one utility shed up to 400 sq ft permitted per residential lot under County Code Section 33-20(k) |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Florida
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Miami-Dade County's 400 sq ft.
- Arlington County, Virginia, One story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures are exempt from a building permit when the building area does not exceed 256 square feet.
- Chesterfield County, Virginia, sheds 256 sq ft or less require no permit; sheds 257 sq ft or larger (up to 400 sq ft) require a building permit
- Culpeper County, Virginia, over 256 sq ft
- Fairfax County, Virginia, single-story shed 256 sq ft or larger requires a building permit; under 256 sq ft no permit required
How to apply in Miami-Dade County
In Miami-Dade County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.
What most shed permit applications include:
- For Miami-Dade County, a written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
- For Miami-Dade County, a scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
- Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
- Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).
General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources sets the exact checklist for Miami-Dade County.
Where to apply in Miami-Dade County:
Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources
- 11805 SW 26 Street, Miami, FL 33175
- Phone: (786) 315-2100
- Email: permitcenter@miamidade.gov
Shed Permit in Miami-Dade County compared with nearby Florida localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Florida schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | Permit required | only one utility shed up to 400 sq ft permitted per residential lot under County Code Section 33-20(k) | A prefabricated utility shed over 100 sq ft carries a flat $147 building permit fee | |
| Alachua County | It depends | area of a single storage shed, exemption available once per property | No shed-specific flat fee is published for sheds that don't qualify for the exemption | |
| Brevard County | It depends | A permit is required for an accessory structure (shed) over 100 square feet. | Sheds are filed under the Residential Addition permit category, whose fee table lists a... | |
| Broward County | Permit required | Not specified | No separate shed fee line | |
| Charlotte County | It depends | A building permit is not required for plastic or rubber manufactured type sheds 68 square feet or less in area, though they must comply with zoning setbacks and be moved and secured if there is the threat of a tropical storm. | At application: flat fee $90, plus a 0.025 x building-fee surcharge and a $22 zoning... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Miami-Dade County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
- Foundation or anchor inspection in Miami-Dade County: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
- Frame inspection in Miami-Dade County: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
- Final inspection in Miami-Dade County: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
- In Miami-Dade County: for a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Miami-Dade County permit portal or by phone at (786) 315-2100.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Shed Permit checklist for Miami-Dade County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Typical threshold: only one utility shed up to 400 sq ft permitted per residential lot under County Code Section 33-20(k). Usually needed: Before installing any utility shed or storage structure.
- Budget the fee. A prefabricated utility shed over 100 sq ft carries a flat $147 building permit fee; sheds no greater than 100 sq ft qualify for the $130 hardening improvement rate on homesteaded properties, per Implementing Order 4-63 effective 6/30/2025. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Miami-Dade County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the Miami-Dade County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources. Phone: (786) 315-2100. Address: 11805 SW 26 Street, Miami, FL 33175.
- Plan for inspections. In Miami-Dade County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Permitting activity in Miami-Dade County
In 2024, Miami-Dade County authorized permits for 10,608 new residential housing units (2,231 single-family, 8,377 in multi-family buildings), valued at $4.2B, down from 12,781 the year before. That works out to about 3.7 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual data · population 2,838,461.
About Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County has about 1,085,414 housing units. The median home is valued at $425,400, against a median household income of $68,694. About 52% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1980.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Miami-Dade County?
- A building permit is required for all utility sheds in Miami-Dade County. Only one shed per residential lot is allowed under Miami-Dade County Code Section 33-20(k) with a maximum size of 400 square feet. The property owner must sign a notarized Attestation for Utility Shed form as a condition of the permit. Applications must include detailed drawings or a Notice of Acceptance for pre-manufactured sheds. Always confirm with the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Miami-Dade County?
- A prefabricated utility shed over 100 sq ft carries a flat $147 building permit fee; sheds no greater than 100 sq ft qualify for the $130 hardening improvement rate on homesteaded properties, per Implementing Order 4-63 effective 6/30/2025. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Miami-Dade County?
- You can apply through the Miami-Dade County permit portal or contact the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Miami-Dade County?
- Under Florida law (F.S. 489.103(7)(a)-(c)): Florida lets you pull your own permit as an owner-builder under section 489.103(7), Florida Statutes, which exempts property owners from the contractor licensing law when they act as their own contractor and provide direct, onsite supervision of all work not performed by licensed contractors. The exemption covers building or improving a one-family or two-family residence or a farm outbuilding for your own occupancy or use, and commercial buildings only up to a $75,000 cost, and the property may not be built or improved for sale or lease. If you sell or lease the property within 1 year after completing the work, the law presumes it was built for sale or lease, which violates the exemption. To qualify, you must personally appear and sign the building permit application and sign a state-prescribed disclosure statement acknowledging that you are the party legally and financially responsible for the construction, that you must provide direct, onsite supervision, and that unlicensed people you use must be your own employees, bringing federal tax withholding and workers' compensation obligations. You may not hire an unlicensed person to act as your contractor and may not delegate supervision to anyone who is not licensed for the work being done; if these requirements are violated, the local permitting agency shall withhold final approval, revoke the permit, or pursue unlicensed-activity remedies. A separate narrow branch of the exemption also lets an owner take over and complete a permit on a one-family or two-family residence when the original contractor substantially completed the project. Confirm how Miami-Dade County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Miami-Dade County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | wood deck 18 inches or less above ground is exempt; decks higher than 18 inches require a building permit | No dedicated deck line |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Residential wiring for new construction, additions, repairs and alterations is $0.11 per... |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Fence type determines permit type: wood and masonry fences require a Building Permit... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | An exact change out air conditioning system is charged $24.17 per ton subject to a... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | open concrete slabs and pavers outside the building do not require a building permit; roofed or screened patio enclosures require a permit | No dedicated patio line |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Single family plumbing for new construction, additions or alterations is $0.140 per... |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Installation of a residential swimming pool or spa carries a flat $640 building permit... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | under F.S. 553.79(1)(g) (HB 803, ch. 2026-63, effective 2026-07-01), work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling qualifies for exemption upon a written exemption request with documentation of the nature and value of the work; the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work and any property in a flood hazard area; the statute does not name roofing, so a non-structural reroof under that value can qualify; confirm with Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources. Much of Miami-Dade County lies in flood hazard areas where this exemption does not apply. | Re-roofing is charged per square foot of roof coverage including overhangs at $0.11 for... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Roof mounted solar photovoltaic systems are $365.63 per system, or $250 per system using... |
Shed Permit in other Florida localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Miami-Dade County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
- IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC
- IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC
- Florida Statutes 553.73(10); Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Section 1609.1
How this shed permit page for Miami-Dade County was verified. 2 official sources: miamidade.gov, miamidade.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Permit office
Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources
(786) 315-2100Permit portalFlorida rule changes
- Broward County, FL updates building permit fee schedule (Ordinance 2025-038)
Ord. 2025-038 ·
- Florida waives permits for small single-family jobs under $7,500 (HB 803)
ch. 2026-63 (HB 803), F.S. 553.79 ·