Miami, FL Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit Fee
- $0: waived citywide
- Processing Time
- 3 business days
- Applies To
- Residential and commercial properties
- Not Waived
- Federal, state, county surcharges
- Governing Section
- Code of Ordinances § 10-18(b)(5)
Summary
Miami waives all city building permit fees for residential and commercial solar panel installations and processes solar permit applications within three business days under Code of Ordinances Section 10-18(b)(5).
All city building permit fees related to the installation of solar panels are hereby waived for residential and commercial properties. The building department will process all building permit applications for solar panels within three business days. That portion of city building permit fees attributable to compliance with Chapter 10, Article XI of the City Code are hereby waived for structures existing on or before October 8, 2020. These waivers do not include any surcharges, fees, or costs required by federal, state, or county governments.6.New permits prohibited, non-homestead properties. Permits shall not be issued for a non-homestead property with any outstanding code enforcement violations, building violations, or any relevant city lien or invoice due and owing to the city. Permits required to cure life safety issues, Permits which are required to bring outstanding violations into compliance, or Permits for any properties owned by a governmental entity are exempted from this prohibition.c.Elevator/Escalator/Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Fees and Fines for Non-Compliance.a.Recurring/Annual fees. Certificate of operation per elevator $200.00 Elevator/escalator duplicate certificate per elevator/escalator $100.00 Elevator/escalator delinquent certificate per elevator/escalator $50.00 Temporary certificate of operations per elevator/escalator $100.00 Elevator/escalator annual inspection per elevator/escalator $200.00
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 | Ordinance 11000 (Previous Zoning Code): Supplement 22 | Miami 21 (Zoning Code): ?).
Full Breakdown
The City of Miami waives every city building permit fee tied to installing solar panels, for both residential and commercial properties, and the Building Department commits to processing solar panel permit applications within three business days. A related waiver covers permit fees attributable to Chapter 10, Article XI compliance for structures that existed on or before October 8, 2020. None of these waivers touch surcharges or fees required by federal, state, or Miami-Dade County government, which still apply on top of the waived city fee. Permits are issued by the Building Official under the city's building code administration provisions.
Violations & Fines
Installing solar panels without the required permit exposes owners to unpermitted-work fees of 2x the standard cost for homestead properties and 4x for non-homestead/commercial properties, plus a $110 fee and possible stop-work orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need a permit to install solar panels in Miami?
Does the fee waiver cover state or county charges?
Does the waiver apply to older buildings too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami to another location·View the Florida solar energy overview
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Panel Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle panel permits.