Miami permits accessory dwelling units in most transect zones under Miami 21, the city's form-based zoning code. Permits are issued by the City of Miami Building Department after Planning and Zoning review under Article 4 (Standards and Tables). Florida HB 1031 (effective July 2024) requires local governments to allow ADUs in single-family zones.
Miami is the most progressive Florida big-city in terms of ADU permissions. The City of Miami's zoning is governed by Miami 21, a form-based code organized by Transect Zones (T3, T4, T5, T6). ADUs — also called 'ancillary dwelling units' in some Miami 21 references — are permitted in T3-R (Restricted Single-Family Sub-Urban), T3-L (Limited), T3-O (Open), T4, and T5 zones, with development standards in Article 4, Table 4. The 2024 Florida HB 1031 (codified at FL Statute §163.31771) further requires municipalities to permit ADUs in single-family zones with at least one off-street parking space. Permitting in the City of Miami requires: (1) Planning and Zoning review for compliance with Miami 21 transect standards; (2) Building Permit issued by the City of Miami Building Department under the Florida Building Code; (3) HVHZ (High Velocity Hurricane Zone) compliance for windows, doors, and roof under FBC Chapter 16; (4) for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas, elevation at or above the Design Flood Elevation under FBC §1612. Miami-Dade County does not impose separate ADU zoning rules on incorporated Miami parcels.
Constructing an ADU without permits: Code Enforcement Notice of Violation with daily fines, lien, mandatory removal or permit-after-the-fact (with double fees). Building below the BFE in a flood zone: order to elevate or floodproof at owner's expense.
Miami, FL
The City of Miami is a flat, low-elevation coastal urban area and is not designated as a high wildfire hazard severity zone. Most wildland fire activity in M...
Miami, FL
Miami's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. Political signs are protected as f...
Miami, FL
Miami has no specific City ordinance restricting residential inflatable holiday displays. Practical limits come from HOA and condo covenants, the Miami Code ...
Miami, FL
Miami has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Condo and HOA covenants frequently impose rules under FL §718 ...
Miami, FL
Outdoor kitchens in Miami require building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits from the City of Miami Building Department under the Florida Buildin...
Miami, FL
Miami does not have a specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit b...
See how Miami's adu permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.