Doral, FL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Baseline rule
- Development permit needs a development order first
- Exceptions
- 9 listed activities need only a building permit
- Fee authority
- Set by council resolution, capped at actual cost
- Administrator
- Administrative official appointed by city manager
- Enforcement
- Notice, correction period, then special magistrate referral
Summary
In Doral, no development activity can begin without a development permit backed by a development order under Land Development Code Sec. 53-183. The city carves out nine specific exceptions, covering single-family and townhouse construction, accessory structures on developed lots, demolition, fences and signs on already-developed sites, tree clearing, farm structures, resurfacing, and certain antennas, where a building permit alone is enough.
(a)Required. No development activity shall be undertaken unless the activity is authorized by a development permit. A development permit may not be issued unless authorized by a development order reflecting conformance with the requirements of this Land Development Code.(b)Exceptions to the requirement of a development order. A building permit may be issued in the absence of a development order for the following activities, when the proposed development conforms to the standards and permitting requirements of this Land Development Code:(1)The construction, alteration, or enlargement of a one-family dwelling or a townhouse.(2)The construction of an accessory structure on a previously developed single-family lot or townhouse....(4)Demolition of a structure.(5)Erection of signs or fences on a previously developed site and when independent of other development activity on the site....(9)The installation of an antenna on a communication tower or alternative support structure in compliance with the requirements of chapter 74 articles IX—XI.
Full Breakdown
The administrative official, appointed by the city manager under Sec. 53-157(a), runs Doral's Land Development Code approvals, and Sec. 53-157(b) requires every application fee to be set by city council resolution, capped at the city's actual average cost of materials, labor and overhead for that activity. Sec. 5-1 separately enacts the building permit fee schedule (Schedule A), which the council can amend by resolution after a public hearing without reopening the ordinance itself. Under Sec. 53-183(a), the baseline rule is strict: a development permit cannot issue unless a development order already shows the project conforms to the Land Development Code, and no development activity may proceed without that development permit.
Sec. 53-183(b) then lists the nine activities where the city will issue a building permit without first requiring a development order: construction, alteration or enlargement of a one-family dwelling or townhouse; an accessory structure on a previously developed single-family or townhouse lot; alteration of an existing structure that does not enlarge its size or capacity (except one- and two-family dwellings); demolition; signs or fences on an already-developed site done independently of other work; clearing of trees or vegetation or grade changes done independently of other work; agricultural accessory structures; resurfacing a vehicle use area; and antennas on communication towers or alternative support structures meeting chapter 74, articles IX through XI.
Anything outside that list, such as new commercial buildings, multifamily projects, or site plan-driven work, needs both a development order and a building permit before construction starts.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 53-235 lets the city enforce the Land Development Code's Sec. 53-183 permit and development order requirements by any lawful method. When staff believes a provision is being violated, the department notifies the violator and sets a reasonable correction period under code enforcement division policy. If not corrected in time, the case is referred to the special magistrate for enforcement under article II of chapter 56, which can impose fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a development order to add on to my single-family home in Doral?
Can I install a new fence in Doral without going through development order review?
What happens if I build without the required permit or development order?
Who sets Doral's building permit fees, and can they change without a new ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Doral
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Doral to another location·View the Florida building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Building Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle building permits.