Shed Permit in Miami, Florida
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before installing any shed, including a prefabricated shed.
Issued byCity of Miami Building Department
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
The City of Miami's exemption list (City Code Sec. 10-5(b)) contains no shed or accessory-building exemption, and the City lists prefabricated sheds among the small residential projects for which homeowners need permits through its Walk-Thru Express review. A shed of any size therefore needs a City building permit.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before installing any shed, including a prefabricated shed.
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
How Miami compares in Florida
| 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. |
| Broward County | Permit required | Any size |
| 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. |
| Clay County | Permit required | Any 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 |
| Miamithis page | Permit required | Any size |
How to apply in Miami
In Miami, 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, 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, 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. City of Miami Building Department sets the exact checklist for Miami.
Where to apply in Miami:
City of Miami Building Department
- Miami Riverside Center (MRC), 444 SW 2nd Avenue, 4th Floor, Miami, FL 33130
- Phone: (305) 416-1100
- Email: building@miamigov.com
Shed Permit in Miami compared with nearby Florida localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Florida schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | Permit required | Any size | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 | |
| 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. | ...permit category, whose fee table lists a Building Code Review fee of $75.00 for the... | |
| Broward County | Permit required | Any size | sheds fall under the Structural permit schedule, the greater of a $125 minimum base fee... | |
| 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, 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 permit portal or by phone at (305) 416-1100.
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
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before installing any shed, including a prefabricated shed.
- Budget the fee. Residential (up to 3 units) building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits: 0.50% of estimated construction cost; "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00; "Minimum Permit Fee": $110.00; "All Permits non-refundable application fee": $40.00; "Dry run/Up-Front per $1,000.00 of estimated construction value": $2.80 (no up-front fee on residential work under $2,500); "Solid Waste Residential Surcharge" $0.22 per $100.00 of estimated cost (minimum $26.00, maximum $600.00). State and Miami-Dade County surcharges are extra. Exhibit C Fee Schedule, Building, Chapters 10, 17, 20, adopted by Resolution R-26-0200 (Ordinance 14456), April 23, 2026. Sheds are exempt from the solid waste surcharge (Sec. 10-18(b)(2)(c)(3)). Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Miami, 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 permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. City of Miami Building Department. Phone: (305) 416-1100. Address: Miami Riverside Center (MRC), 444 SW 2nd Avenue, 4th Floor, Miami, FL 33130.
- Plan for inspections. In Miami, 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 .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Miami?
- The City of Miami's exemption list (City Code Sec. 10-5(b)) contains no shed or accessory-building exemption, and the City lists prefabricated sheds among the small residential projects for which homeowners need permits through its Walk-Thru Express review. A shed of any size therefore needs a City building permit. Always confirm with the City of Miami Building Department before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Miami?
- Residential (up to 3 units) building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits: 0.50% of estimated construction cost; "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00; "Minimum Permit Fee": $110.00; "All Permits non-refundable application fee": $40.00; "Dry run/Up-Front per $1,000.00 of estimated construction value": $2.80 (no up-front fee on residential work under $2,500); "Solid Waste Residential Surcharge" $0.22 per $100.00 of estimated cost (minimum $26.00, maximum $600.00). State and Miami-Dade County surcharges are extra. Exhibit C Fee Schedule, Building, Chapters 10, 17, 20, adopted by Resolution R-26-0200 (Ordinance 14456), April 23, 2026. Sheds are exempt from the solid waste surcharge (Sec. 10-18(b)(2)(c)(3)). See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- How long does a shed permit take in Miami?
- The City's fence and roofing pages say the first review cycle for a building permit application usually takes (or can take up to) 14 business days; Homeowner's Express Review and Walk-Thru Express offer same-day review for eligible residential projects. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Miami?
- You can apply through the Miami permit portal or contact the City of Miami Building Department directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Miami?
- 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 applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Miami
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Finish work and listed fixture swaps versus a remodel | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 |
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Any size | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Listed repairs and like-for-like device replacements versus new wiring and circuits | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 |
| EV Charger Permit | Permit required | Any size | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Any size | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | Repairs and part replacements versus new or replacement equipment | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | Value of materials and labor for plumbing repair work by a licensed plumbing contractor | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Any size | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Any size | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | All City building permit fees for solar panel installation are waived for residential... |
| Water Heater Permit | Permit required | Any size | "Residential less than estimated $2,500.00": $45.00 |
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 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 was verified. 2 official sources: miami.gov, miami.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with City of Miami Building Department. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
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