Shed Permit in Miami, FL
Permit Summary
Do You Need a Shed Permit?
Exemptions
The City's current permit-exempt-work list does not identify sheds as exempt. Florida's 2026 building-permit exemption for work valued under $7,500 on qualifying single-family property requires an exemption request and does not apply to structural work, so it does not create a general exemption for structural shed installation. State-approved manufactured lawn-storage buildings and storage sheds are exempt from local plan review only for the state-approved building plans; their on-site erection, assembly, and construction remain subject to local permitting and inspections.
Zoning & Placement Rules
Zoning Rules
Shed placement and use must comply with Miami 21 and other applicable City land-development regulations. The Office of Zoning administers the zoning rules for construction and land use. Depending on the parcel, scope, and whether the project is allowed by right, zoning review or a separate zoning entitlement such as a Waiver may be required before or in connection with the building permit.
Special Area Rules
A property in a historic district is not eligible for the City's Walk-Thru Express review. Projects requiring structural review, after-the-fact/legalization work, or properties with open code violations are also excluded from that expedited path. Floodplain, historic-preservation, Planning, Zoning, Public Works, or other reviews may be required based on site conditions. Florida's under-$7,500 single-family permit exemption does not apply to property partially or entirely in a flood hazard area.
Permit & Review Path
Permit / Review Path
The standard path is a Building Department application in iBuild followed by plan/document submission and review in ProjectDox. Prefabricated residential sheds may qualify for Walk-Thru Express through the Homeowner's Express process; eligible projects can receive same-day in-person approval. Walk-Thru Express is not available for historic-district properties, projects requiring structural review, after-the-fact/legalization work, or properties with open code violations. Complete and sufficient accessory-structure applications are also subject to the applicable Florida Statutes § 553.792 review timeframe unless waived.
Trade Permits & Professional Design
Trade Permit Rules
If the shed scope includes regulated electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, or other trade work, the applicable sub-permit may be required. City guidance states that a sub-permit is obtained under an approved Master Permit and is pulled through iBuild by the appropriately qualified permit holder or contractor.
Professional Design Rules
Professional design documentation depends on the project and review path. The City's Homeowner's Express instructions require signed and sealed plans in PDF format and product approvals when required; Walk-Thru Express applicants must upload the required drawings and documents to ProjectDox before review. Any required professional certification must be digitally signed and sealed.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
Apply for the building permit through iBuild, pay any required up-front fee, and upload the required plans, drawings, and supporting documents through ProjectDox. Obtain any required zoning or other governmental approvals for the property and scope. After approval, add the appropriate contractor in iBuild or satisfy the City's owner-builder requirements if performing qualifying work yourself, pay the remaining permit fees, and keep the permit card and approved plans at the project site during permitted work.
Required Documents
Principal submittals include the iBuild building-permit application and the project drawings/plans and supporting documents required by the City for the specific shed. Product approvals and digitally signed and sealed plans must be provided when required by the project or review path, and documentation of other governmental approvals may be required. For Walk-Thru Express, the applicant must have an iBuild Homeowner's Express project, a Building Department process number, and all required documents and drawings uploaded to ProjectDox with the application ready for review.