City of Miami Beach


Part 3

How Do I Get a Electrical Permit ?
Electrical permits are issued in the name of the person performing the work. Only licensed contractors or owner/builder may obtain a permit. Owner/builder permits are limited to the construction of one single family residence or duplex every two years.

What Are The Contractor Requirements ?
1. Copy of State Certification with a occupational license for place of business; or
2. Copy of Certificate of Competency/State Registration with a Municipal Contractors Occupational License; and
3. Certificate of Insurance a.) made out to: City of Miami Beach, Building Department, 1700 Convention Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Miami Beach, Florida 33139 b.) Liability with no less than $300,000 per accident or occupance for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for property damage. c.) Workman's Compensation d.) Must show name of insurer, type of policy issued, policy number, date of inception and expiration, type of insurance, and that no material change or cancellation of the insurance shall be effective without 30 days written notice by registered or certified mail.
4. All permits will be issued to contractors with an affidavit of authorization from the owner on all buildings.

What Are The Requirements For Owner-builders ?
Owner-builder applicants making application for a electrical permit should be advised of the following provisions and requirements that apply to owner-builders:

Proof of Ownership: Prior to a electrical permit being issued to you, your must submit proof of ownership of the land concerned in the application in a form of a recorded deed, showing you own the property, or a copy of mortgage or warranty deed of the land, showing you are obligated to purchase the property, or a Dade County tax receipt, statement to contain legal description of property and indicate property is in your name. Legal description and name on document of proof must correspond to the name and legal description on the application or as defined in the South Florida Building Code, page 4-1, section 401.

Insurance: You should be advised that your day labor employees cause any damage to persons or property, or if any of your day labor employees are injured on the job, you are liable. Your regular home insurance policy ordinarily does not cover this type of liability.

Restrictions for Owner-Builders: An owner-builder, subject to the foregoing provisions and requirements, is limited to constructing one single family or duplex residence each year for his/her own or erecting a one story electrical of not more than 500 square feet for commercial or industrial use, or adding a first floor addition of not more than 500 square feet to a commercial or industrial electrical; or maintenance or repairs and non-structural alterations, not to exceed $5,000.00 on any electrical which he/she owners or leases. If you do not intend to do the work involved yourself, or with day labor, please list below, the name of the individual or firm with whom you have entered (or will enter) into a contract for the work.

Notice: Separate permits required for Electrical, Plumbing, Roofing, and Mechanical work.


What Are Plan Requirements ?
Two sets of plans - architectural sheets shall be signed and sealed by a Florida Registered Architect. Structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical sheets must be signed and sealed by a Florida Registered Professional Engineers (when required as per South Florida Building Code 302.2).
Complete electrical plans and any other reasonable information as may be required to clearly show the nature, character and location of the proposed work.
Any specifications in which general expressions are used to the effect that "work shall be done in accordance with the electrical code 'or' to the satisfaction of the Building Official", shall be deemed imperfect and incomplete. Every reference to the South Florida Building Code or any other code shall be by Section or Sub-section number applicable; {S.F.B.C. 302.2(E)}.
Any plans required for electrical, mechanical and plumbing work would be covered in the general building plans and are not required to be presented with these separate permit applications. Mechanical does not require two sets of plans for work showing new locations of equipment, duct and grilles.
This information is received by one of the electrical inspectors and entered into the computer.

Electrical Permits: Required for all aspects of the electrical construction and electrical repair to each of the foregoing: maintenance. The Electrical permit and plans covering electrical work must also be signed and permits shall be taken out for the work.

Each Plan may be altered by the architect or engineer involved as to minor details; the inspector will then initial and date the plan indicating approval. More complex and larger corrections must be covered by new revised sheets replacing the incorrect sheets which are voided but remain a part of the overall plans for the project.

Electrical Work Permit Application Qualifier of contracting company must sign and have notarize this document.

Owner's Affidavit Owner must signed and have notarize this document. If the property shows in Dade County Tax Accessors Office under a Corporation name, it is required back up documents to support the signer on the affidavit (eg. Annual Report filed with the State of Florida, Corporate Documents or a letter from your lawyer.)

2 Sets of Plans You are only required 2 sets of plans for walk through (if applicable). Check The check if for payment of the electrical permit.


What Is Elevator Policy?
Through Resolution No. 90-20085, an agreement with the State of Florida Department of Business Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, delegated to the City of Miami Beach the authority under Chapter 399, Florida Statutes, to issue construction permits, temporary operation permits and certificates of operation, provide inspection of elevators and enforce the elevator safety code within the City of Miami Beach for all elevators, except for elevators owned by Metropolitan Dade County.

What Is Elevator Procedure?
-Copies of all applications for permits shall be maintained on file for inspection by the Division of Hotel and Restaurants.
-A copy of each inspection report issued and proper records showing the number of Certificates of Operation issued shall be maintained on file.
-Qualifications for elevator inspectors shall be equal to the State Elevator Inspector and shall hold a valid Certificate of Competency.
-A final inspection shall be made for each now, altered or moved installation before such installation is put in service. A Certificate of Operation shall be posted pursuant to section 399.07(1)(a), Florida Statute.
-Each elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator and moving walk shall be inspected at least once annually.
-Copies of all accident and claim reports resulting from elevator accidents shall be provided to the division.
-Exception to the Elevator Safety Code may be granted as authorized by the Elevator Safety Code. Exceptions must first be reviewed and approved by the division prior to the City rendering a final decision regarding the exception.
-No Certificate of Operation shall be issued until the elevator company supervisor signs an affidavit evidencing that he directly supervised construction and/or installation of the elevator.
-The City shall charge and retain all proper fees and fines collected by it, pursuant to local ordinances and fee schedules.

Why Do I Need a Mechanical Permit ?
Not only is it the law, but mechanical permits can also protect you. With a mechanical permit you get the advice of reviewers and inspectors who will approve each phase of your project, checking to see that the work is done in accordance with the South Florida Mechanical Code, Zoning laws and the approved plans. Additionally, a mechanical permit is required to show compliance with sanitary, safety and welfare concerns including required setbacks from property lines and adjacent structures.

Working without a permit, when one is required, can result in fines and can cause problems when you sell your home. And, probably more importantly, you lose the assurance that the work you're paying for is built to code, a minimum standard for safety.

How Do I Get a Mechanical Permit ?
Mechanical permits are issued in the name of the person performing the work. Only licensed contractors or owner/builder may obtain a permit. Owner/builder permits are limited to the construction of one single family residence or duplex every two years.

What Are The Requirements For Owner-builders ?
No Mechanical Owner-builder permits are allowed in the City of Miami Beach.

What Are Plan Requirements ?
Two sets of plans - architectural sheets shall be signed and sealed by a Florida Registered Architect. Structural, mechanical, plumbing and mechanical sheets must be signed and sealed by a Florida Registered Professional Engineers (when required as per S. F. B. C. Mechanical - See Chapter 49).
Complete mechanical plans and any other reasonable information as may be required to clearly show the nature, character and location of the proposed work.
Any specifications in which general expressions are used to the effect that "work shall be done in accordance with the mechanical code 'or' to the satisfaction of the Mechanical Official", shall be deemed imperfect and incomplete. Every reference to the South Florida Building Code or any other code shall be by Section or Sub-section number applicable; {S.F.B.C. 302.2(E)}.
Any plans required for mechanical, mechanical and plumbing work would be covered in the general mechanical plans and are not required to be presented with these separate permit applications. Mechanical does not require two sets of plans for work showing new locations of equipment, duct and grilles.
This information is received by one of the mechanical inspectors and entered into the computer.

Mechanical Permits: Required for all aspects of the mechanical construction and mechanical repair to each of the foregoing: maintenance. The Mechanical permit and plans covering mechanical, work must also be signed and permits shall be taken out for the work.

Each Plan may be altered by the architect or engineer involved as to minor details; the inspector will then initial and date the plan indicating approval. More complex and larger corrections must be covered by new revised sheets replacing the incorrect sheets which are voided but remain a part of the overall plans for the project.

Mechanical Work Permit Application Qualifier of contracting company must sign and have notarize this document.

Owner's Affidavit Owner must signed and have notarize this document. If the property shows in Dade County Tax Accessors Office under a Corporation name, it is required back up documents to support the signer on the affidavit (eg. Annual Report filed with the State, Corporate Documents or a letter from your lawyer.)

2 Sets of Plans You are only required 2 sets of plans for walk through (if applicable). Check The check if for payment of the mechanical permit.


Why Do I Need a Plumbing Permit ?
Not only is it the law, but plumbing permits can also protect you. With a plumbing permit you get the advice of reviewers and inspectors who will approve each phase of your project, checking to see that the work is done in accordance with the South Florida Building Code, Zoning laws and the approved plans. Additionally, a plumbing permit is required to show compliance with sanitary, safety and welfare concerns including required setbacks from property lines and adjacent structures.
Working without a permit, when one is required, can result in fines and can cause problems when you sell your home. And, probably more importantly, you lose the assurance that the work you're paying for is built to code, a minimum standard for safety.

What Is a Walk-through Process ?
The "walk-through" process has been designed to make the application for plumbing permits easier for applicants and more efficient for the city. The system, which began October 30, 1987, employs a plan processing clerk who serves as controller and coordinator of the process. The plans processing clerk guides the applicant through the review process in order to get most plans approved within ninety minutes.
The process begins with the receipt of approval from all necessary outside agencies, i.e. Department of Environmental Resource Management, Dade County Health Department. Once these approvals have been obtained, the applicant may complete a plumbing permit application at the permit counter. Applicants must arrive at the office between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in order to complete the walk-through process before the inspectors depart to the field. Each applicant takes a number upon arrival and is served in order. Applications are taken until 3:00 p.m. so that paperwork received after 10:30 a.m. can be entered into the computer and held for processing. Applicants may pick up the plans and pay fee balance the following day.
The requirements for each permit application are different depending on whether the property is zoned commercial or residential. Residential projects may be undertaken by either the owner or a contractor whereas commercial projects are to be done by a licensed contractor.

How Do I Get a Plumbing Permit ?
Section 4601.5(d) of the South Florida Building Code states: FBC, 2004 CH#1 Administration Section 105.1 & 105.3

(1) Any person desiring a plumbing permit to be issued by the Chief Plumbing Official, as required hereby, shall file an application therefore in writing on a form furnished by the Chief Plumbing Official for that purpose. Each application shall describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done, shall show the use or occupancy of the building or premises; shall be accompanied by plans and specifications as required hereafter; shall give such other information as reasonably may be requested by the Chief Plumbing Official; and shall be signed by the permittee or his authorized agent, who may be required to submit evidence to indicate such authority.

(2) Application for permit will be accepted from only qualified persons or firms. Qualification of persons or firms shall be in accordance with separate ordinance providing for qualification and certification of construction tradesman. (3) Nothing in this Code shall prevent any homeowner from installing or maintaining plumbing within his own property boundaries, providing such plumbing work is done by himself and is exclusively by himself and his family.


What Are Plan Requirements? FBC, #106
Section 4601.5(e) of the South Florida Building Code states:

(1) Each application for a plumbing permit shall be accompanied by two (2) sets of plans and specifications when required by the Chief Plumbing Official. The Chief Plumbing Official may authorize the issuance of a plumbing or building permit without plans or specifications for relatively small or unimportant work.

(2) Plans and specifications for new construction or modification of plumbing system shall be prepared by, and each sheet bear the impress seal and signature of a Professional Engineer duly registered in the State of Florida when any of the following is exceeded:

(A) More the 125 fixtures units are proposed to be installed in a structure.

(B) The cost of the plumbing system exceeds $ 20,000.00.

This information is received by one of the plumbing inspectors and entered into the computer.

Plumbing Permits: Required for all aspects of the plumbing construction and plumbing repair to each of the foregoing: maintenance. The Plumbing permit and plans covering plumbing, work must also be signed and permits shall be taken out for the work.

Each Plan may be altered by the architect or engineer involved as to minor details; the inspector will then initial and date the plan indicating approval. More complex and larger corrections must be covered by new revised sheets replacing the incorrect sheets which are voided but remain a part of the overall plans for the project.

Plumbing Work Permit Application Qualifier of contracting company must sign and have notarize this document.

Owner's Affidavit Owner must signed and have notarize this document. If the property shows in Dade County Tax Accessors Office under a Corporation name, it is required back up documents to support the signer on the affidavit (eg. Annual Report filed with the State of Florida, Corporate Documents or a letter from your lawyer.)

2 Sets of Plans You are only required 2 sets of plans for walk through (if applicable). Check The check if for payment of the plumbing permit.

What Type of Work Requires a Permit ?
Section 105.1 work except 105.2 plumbing of the South Florida Building Code states:
If shall be unlawful to commence work on any building or premises on which plumbing is required or is to be installed; perform any work covered by the Plumbing Code including, but not limited to, the excavation or obstruction of any public or private street, alley or other thoroughfare for the purpose of installing plumbing, sewer or drainage work or connect to any public or private water supply system and/or sewer or appurtance thereof, commence the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair and/or remodeling of any plumbing, sewer, septic tank, sewer or liquid waste treatment system, surface drainage, public swimming pools, supply or drainage wells, fire lines, water supply and waste connections from sir handling and heating units and/or other drainage work without first having filed application and obtained a plumbing permit from the Chief Plumbing Official.

Exception: No permit will be necessary for the repair of leaks, unstopping of sewers or waste pipes, repairing faucets or valves or cleaning of a septic tank where such work is located within the property line.

Go to Building Index, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, or I.V.R.

The information contained in this section was complied from the most frequently asked questions. Thanks to the employees of the Building Department. For comments, questions, of more information, please call (305) 673-7610.