Miami requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet in height or those supporting a surcharge load. Walls must meet Florida Building Code structural requirements and comply with city zoning setback standards.
Retaining walls in the City of Miami require a building permit when they exceed 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or when they support a surcharge such as a driveway, structure, or slope. Permit applications must include engineered drawings stamped by a Florida-licensed PE for walls over 4 feet. Retaining walls must comply with the Florida Building Code 7th Edition structural requirements including lateral earth pressure calculations, drainage provisions, and footing depth specifications. Walls within setback areas may require a zoning variance. In flood zones, retaining walls must not obstruct floodwater flow and may need additional FEMA compliance review. Miami Building Department at (305) 416-1100 handles permit applications.
Unpermitted retaining walls may result in stop-work orders, fines starting at $250 per day, and mandatory removal or engineering remediation at the 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...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Miami-Dade County.
See how other cities in Miami-Dade County handle retaining walls.
See how Miami's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.