Green Permits

Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Systems

Photovoltaics (PV) is a term that covers the conversion of sunlight into electricity by using semiconducting materials that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. A typical photovoltaic system employs solar panels, each comprising several numbers of solar cells, which generate electrical power. PV installations may be ground-mounted, rooftop mounted, or wall-mounted. Solar PV has a specific advantage as an energy source: once installed, its operation generates no pollution and no greenhouse gas emissions.

To encourage residents to use the Photovoltaic installations and support the City's resilience and sustainability initiatives, the City enacted Ordinance No. 2017-4153.This ordinance amended the fee schedule and waived all photovoltaic related building permit fees [Section 14-61.(p)] to promote the use of the Photovoltaic energy. A permit is still required. Please see below the list of required documents, plans review, and inspections.

Permit Requirements

Required Documents: Building Permit Applications (one for the main electrical permit and one for the sub-permit, as needed), two sets of plans (site plans and elevation drawings), electrical and structural diagrams and calculations, product specifications and required documents, and NOAs (Notice of Acceptance) for rooftop installations only.

Plan Reviews: Electrical, Structural, Planning, Fire (for installation on commercial properties only), and Roofing (Rooftop installation only).

Inspections: Foundation, Building Final, Electrical Rough & Final, Fire Final (for installation on commercial properties only), and Planning Final.

Sub-Permit: Roofing, as needed.
Sub-Permit Inspections: Final Roofing, as needed.

To learn more about incentives and policies regarding solar in Miami Beach, click here.

Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) Discharge Control

Fats, Oils and Grease can severely damage the City's sanitary sewer system. FOG includes animal and vegetable fats, as well as oils used to cook and prepare food. Food Service Establishments (FSEs) such as restaurants, cafeterias and banquet halls use large volumes of FOG.

When poured down the drain, FOG can cause problems in sanitary sewer pipes and sewer laterals. Grease buildup in pipes can cause major damage to pipes and lead to sewage back-ups.

To prevent this, Miami-Dade County requires all FSEs to obtain a FOG Discharge Control (FOG) operating permit. To ensure compliance, an inspector from the City's Building Department conducts periodic inspections of FSEs and gathers records of routine maintenance of grease interceptors and grease traps.

Permit Requirements

New Grease Trap

Grease traps, when being installed as part of a new construction, will require the following items:

Plumbing sub-permit issued by the City of Miami Beach Building Department
FOG Discharge Control Operating permit issued by Miami Dade County. For information on how to apply for this permit, click here.

Existing Grease Trap

Facilities with an existing grease trap must have an approved FOG Discharge Control Operating permit along with a maintenance log documenting FOG removal details i.e. dates, volume, company name, etc.

If upon inspection, a facility is not in compliance, the FOG inspector will submit a complaint to the Building Department’s Violations Section to post an Unsafe Structure violation to the owner of the establishment.

To remedy the violation, the facility owner must:

Apply for a Plumbing permit for a grease trap with the City’s Building Department.
Apply for a FOG Discharge Control Operating Permit with Miami Dade County. For information on how to apply for this permit, click here.

Once the Plumbing sub-permit has been finalized, the Unsafe Structures violation is closed.

For more information regarding FOG Discharge Control inspections, please contact us at 305-673-7610, extension 22704.