Why Miami Permits Get Rejected: 10 Things to Check Before You Submit (2026)

Ten reasons City of Miami permit packages get held up, from iBuild and ProjectDox rules to insurance certificates and the 180 day survey.

This guide covers the City of Miami Building Department. It does not cover unincorporated Miami-Dade areas such as Kendall, which have their own checklist. Miami is fully digital: there are no paper applications. The items below are about where a document is sent, who sends it and how it is labeled, rather than the work itself.

1. Applications and plans go to different places

Applications go through the iBuild portal. Plans are uploaded through ePlan (ProjectDox), not through iBuild directly. Confirm which portal each document goes to before you upload.

2. Plans are not digitally signed and sealed

Plans must be digitally signed and sealed. Miami's checklist states that printed copies are not considered signed and sealed.

3. Files do not follow the naming convention

A standard naming convention is required for drawings and documents uploaded to ProjectDox. Check the convention before you upload instead of renaming after a rejection.

4. Insurance certificates come from you, not the insurer

Certificates of insurance must be sent directly from the insurance provider to eplanbuilding@miamigov.com. A contractor cannot forward them. If the workers compensation certificate is part of the liability packet, it must also come directly from the provider.

5. The certificate holder wording is wrong

The certificate must name "City of Miami Building Department" as the certificate holder, not just "City of Miami."

6. Only half of the contractor registration is done

Miami requires dual registration: with the City of Miami (Ordinance 14279, free, two to three business days in our data) and with Miami-Dade County. Registration asks for a state license (DBPR), a Business Tax Receipt, a driver's license, an EIN, company information, and liability and workers compensation certificates.

7. The survey is too old

Miami's checklist requires a survey less than 180 days old, about six months. Some cities allow a year.

8. Products without a Miami-Dade NOA

Miami requires a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) for all exterior products. Its checklist states that a Florida Product Approval alone is not sufficient. Roofing adds more:

• The HVHZ Uniform Roofing Permit Application for all re-roofs, plus the HVHZ roofing forms package.
• Affidavits of compliance for roof decking and roof to wall connection, and a re-nailing affidavit when existing decking is re-nailed.
• Peel and stick (self-adhering) underlayment for shingle roofs in the HVHZ, per the checklist.

See the Miami roofing checklist for the full list, and our HVHZ explainer for background.

9. County reviews filed in the wrong place

Projects that need DERM, WASD, Fire or Impact Fee review must submit to the Miami-Dade County portal separately, not through iBuild. Marine and coastal construction also needs a Miami-Dade DERM Class I permit.

10. Violations or liens on non-homestead property

Miami will not issue new permits for non-homestead properties with outstanding code enforcement violations, building violations or city liens. Check the property before you start assembling a package.

Also plan around

• Counter hours. The permit counter is open 7:45 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, and all sections close daily from 12:30 to 1:30 PM.
• Notice of Commencement. Miami's thresholds are $5,000, or $15,000 for A/C. See our Notice of Commencement guide.
• Failed inspections. Miami's checklist lists a reinspection fee ($57 in our data) for any failed inspection, including a missing NOC at the site.

Sources

• Flo Permit requirements data for Miami
• City of Miami permit requirements

General information, not legal advice. Requirements change, so confirm current rules with your building department.