United States / Florida / Miami Building Permit Search

Miami Building Permit Search: City of Miami, Miami-Dade, and Address Lookup

A Miami building permit search can identify construction, remodeling, tenant improvements, demolition, roofing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire-system work, inspections, plan review, and other property activity recorded in Miami, Florida, United States.

Miami permit research must begin with jurisdiction. The City of Miami uses iBuild and ProjectDox, unincorporated Miami-Dade County uses separate County permitting and inspection systems, and the other municipalities within Miami-Dade County generally maintain their own building departments. A Miami mailing address, Miami-Dade folio, or County review record does not by itself identify the authority that issued the building permit.

For property inside the City of Miami: use iBuild to search permit history, applications, permits, inspections, contractors, and related records. Use ProjectDox or ePlan resources for available plan-review documents and workflow status.

For unincorporated Miami-Dade County: use the Miami-Dade Building Permit Selection Menu, Plan Status and Application Submittal Portal, inspection records, and County building-record resources.

For Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Doral, North Miami, or another municipality: use that municipality’s building department and permit-search system. Miami-Dade County may still appear in the project for Fire, DERM, Water and Sewer, product approval, or another County-level review.

For a permit search by address: search the exact address, base-building address, suite, unit, folio, permit number, process number, contractor, and project name where the system allows.

For historical plans or records: use the City of Miami digital building-record request or the Miami-Dade Microfilm and Plan Library for applicable unincorporated County properties.

For market-level research: use Miami-Dade Open Data as a discovery source, but do not treat its recent permit layer as a complete historical archive of every municipality.

What a Miami building permit search means

Miami building permit records document administrative, regulatory, plan-review, construction, and inspection activity connected to a property or project.

Depending on the jurisdiction and project, permit-related records may involve:

  • new commercial or residential construction;
  • commercial remodeling and tenant improvement;
  • interior buildout and change of use;
  • additions and structural alterations;
  • demolition;
  • roofing;
  • windows, doors, and shutters;
  • electrical work;
  • mechanical and air-conditioning work;
  • plumbing and gas work;
  • fire alarms and sprinkler systems;
  • elevators;
  • signs;
  • fences and site improvements;
  • tree and environmental review;
  • public right-of-way work;
  • plan review and corrections;
  • building and trade inspections;
  • Certificates of Occupancy or Completion.

For commercial research, a permit search can help answer questions such as:

  • Is there recent construction or tenant-improvement activity at this address?
  • Was a permit only applied for, or was it actually issued?
  • Are building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or fire permits connected to the project?
  • Were plans submitted and reviewed?
  • Are inspections pending, approved, rejected, or incomplete?
  • Does an open or expired permit remain associated with the property?
  • Was a Certificate of Occupancy or Completion issued?
  • Is the record controlled by the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, or another municipality?
  • Does the project require separate County agency approval?

A permit record is an official-source activity signal. It does not independently prove that construction began, the work was completed, the final inspection passed, a tenant opened, or a current commercial opportunity exists.

Confirm the permitting jurisdiction first

Miami-Dade County contains multiple incorporated municipalities as well as unincorporated areas. Each municipality generally has its own building official with authority over building permits and inspections inside that municipality.

Before searching, determine whether the property is located in:

  • the City of Miami;
  • unincorporated Miami-Dade County;
  • Miami Beach;
  • Coral Gables;
  • Hialeah;
  • Doral;
  • North Miami;
  • Homestead;
  • another Miami-Dade municipality.

Confirm the jurisdiction using:

  • the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser property search;
  • the property folio number;
  • the municipality field in official property records;
  • the legal description;
  • the permit-issuing department shown on an existing permit;
  • direct confirmation with the applicable building department.

A 13-digit Miami-Dade folio identifies a property for County property-record purposes. Miami-Dade states that County building permitting directly handles unincorporated properties, commonly associated with folios beginning with “30.” The folio prefix is a useful screening indicator, but the current jurisdiction should still be verified.

Do not use City of Miami iBuild for every property with a Miami postal address. The property may be in another municipality or unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

Do not assume that a Miami-Dade County review means the County issued the municipal building permit. County agencies may review Fire, environmental, water, sewer, product, or other requirements connected to a permit issued by a municipality.

City of Miami versus Miami-Dade permit records

City of Miami

The City of Miami Building Department uses iBuild for permit applications, permit management, history searches, payments, contractor activity, permit printing, and inspection-related workflows.

The City also uses electronic plan-review resources, including ProjectDox or ePlan, for plan submission, review comments, corrections, revisions, and related documents.

Unincorporated Miami-Dade County

The Miami-Dade County Building Department manages applicable building permits and inspections for property in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

County systems include permit and process-number searches, address and folio searches, plan-review status, inspection history, outstanding requirements, holds, open permits, building plans, Certificates of Occupancy, Certificates of Use, and code-related records.

Other Miami-Dade municipalities

A property inside another incorporated municipality generally uses that municipality’s building department for its primary building permit.

A municipal project may still require Miami-Dade County review for matters such as:

  • Miami-Dade Fire Rescue;
  • environmental or DERM review;
  • Water and Sewer approval;
  • product approval;
  • municipal Certificate of Use environmental review;
  • other County-controlled requirements.

This means that one project can generate records in both a municipal system and a County system without changing the identity of the primary permitting authority.

Official City of Miami permit sources

City of Miami iBuild

The official City of Miami iBuild portal is the primary online environment for City building-permit activity.

Depending on the user’s access and the record, iBuild supports:

  • applying for a building permit;
  • managing an application;
  • searching permit history;
  • viewing permit status;
  • adding or updating contractors;
  • printing permits;
  • reviewing inspection history;
  • scheduling inspections;
  • making payments;
  • viewing available certificate information.

City of Miami permit history search

The official View Permit History / Permit Search page directs users to iBuild and the Global Inquiry search.

Use it to search available permit history by the supported identifier, which may include:

  • address;
  • permit or process number;
  • folio;
  • contractor;
  • other available record fields.

City of Miami permit-application status

The Track the Status of a Permit Application page explains how to review application progress through iBuild and ProjectDox.

Application status research can include:

  • intake status;
  • plan-review disciplines;
  • review comments;
  • required corrections;
  • resubmittals;
  • fees;
  • approval status;
  • permit issuance.

City of Miami inspection history

The City of Miami inspection-history search supports searches using permit number, address, folio, and other available fields.

Inspection history should be reviewed separately from the permit’s general status because an issued permit can still have pending, failed, cancelled, or incomplete inspections.

City of Miami ProjectDox and electronic plan review

The City uses ProjectDox or ePlan resources for electronic plan submission and review.

The project file may contain or reference:

  • architectural plans;
  • structural plans;
  • electrical plans;
  • mechanical plans;
  • plumbing plans;
  • fire documents;
  • site plans;
  • review comments;
  • correction cycles;
  • revisions;
  • approved plan sets.

City of Miami building records and plans

The City of Miami building-record request provides digital access procedures for historical permits and plans maintained by the Building Department.

Use this source when the online permit summary does not provide the historical plan, permit card, inspection document, or other record required for property research.

City of Miami Permit Catalog

The City of Miami Permit Catalog contains step-by-step resources for common permit types and related processes.

It can help distinguish:

  • master building permits;
  • subsidiary or trade permits;
  • easy permits;
  • roofing permits;
  • fence permits;
  • fire-alarm and sprinkler permits;
  • public-works permits;
  • temporary occupancy permits;
  • tree permits;
  • other specialized approvals.

Official Miami-Dade County permit sources

Miami-Dade Building Permit Selection Menu

The official Miami-Dade Building Permit Selection Menu provides multiple searches for County building-permit and inspection information.

Available searches can include:

  • process and permit number cross-reference;
  • open master permits by address;
  • contractor permit inquiry;
  • inspection holds;
  • outstanding permit requirements;
  • project status;
  • open permits by folio;
  • permit and inspection history.

Miami-Dade Plan Status and Application Submittal Portal

The Plan Status and Application Submittal Portal supports searches using tracking, application, permit, or invoice numbers.

The advanced search can use an address or folio for applications requiring plan review. The County directs users to the Building Permit Selection Menu when they need all available permits or applications associated with an address or folio.

The portal also supports certain municipal building-permit reviews that require Miami-Dade agency approvals.

Miami-Dade public building records

The official Public Records – Building Plans and Permits page connects users to online searches for:

  • building permits;
  • building plans;
  • inspection history;
  • Certificates of Occupancy and Completion;
  • Certificates of Use;
  • unsafe structures;
  • code violations;
  • expired permits;
  • building-regulation cases;
  • approved building products;
  • zoning records.

Miami-Dade inspections

The official Miami-Dade inspections page provides inspection resources, forms, assistance, and access to applicable inspection information.

Inspection research should identify:

  • the inspection discipline;
  • the permit number;
  • the scheduled or completed date;
  • the official result;
  • corrections;
  • reinspection activity;
  • remaining holds or requirements;
  • whether a final inspection was approved.

Miami-Dade Microfilm and Plan Library

The Miami-Dade Microfilm and Plan Library maintains applicable permit plans and historical building records for property under unincorporated County jurisdiction.

Digitized plans may be available through electronic access. Records that remain on film may require assistance or an appointment.

Miami-Dade County Open Data

The Miami-Dade Building Permit open-data layer provides mapped recent County permit records.

The dataset is useful for identifying geographic concentrations and recent permit activity, but it should not be treated as:

  • a complete historical permit archive;
  • a substitute for the underlying permit file;
  • complete coverage of every incorporated municipality;
  • proof of final inspection or project completion;
  • a complete database of active construction opportunities.

How to search City of Miami permits by address

For property confirmed inside the City of Miami, begin with iBuild and use the complete address.

  1. Confirm that the property lies inside City of Miami boundaries.
  2. Record the full street address.
  3. Record the building, floor, suite, and unit.
  4. Obtain the Miami-Dade folio number.
  5. Open iBuild and select the permit-history or Global Inquiry search.
  6. Search the exact tenant-space address.
  7. Search the base-building address separately.
  8. Search the folio where supported.
  9. Review every building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, roofing, sign, and other related permit.
  10. Record all process and permit numbers.
  11. Review the application and plan-review status.
  12. Review inspection history.
  13. Identify open, expired, revoked, cancelled, or incomplete records.
  14. Review available CO, CC, CU, and project documents.
  15. Request historical plans or permit records when needed.

Type the address using the format recognized by iBuild. The City advises users to enter an address slowly and select the populated official address where the system provides suggestions.

Search both the suite and the base property. A master permit can be indexed under the building address while a trade permit or tenant record uses a suite.

Search by folio and process number after the address search. Address formatting and later address changes can prevent one search method from returning every record.

How to search Miami-Dade permits by address

Use the County system only after confirming that Miami-Dade County is the applicable permitting authority or that a County agency is reviewing part of a municipal project.

  1. Confirm whether the property is in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
  2. Obtain the complete property address.
  3. Obtain the 13-digit folio number.
  4. Open the Building Permit Selection Menu.
  5. Search permits and applications by address.
  6. Search open permits by folio.
  7. Search known permit and process numbers.
  8. Review outstanding requirements and holds.
  9. Review project status.
  10. Review inspection history and final results.
  11. Open the Plan Status portal for applications requiring plan review.
  12. Review available CO, CC, CU, code, and building-regulation records.
  13. Request plans or microfilm records when required.

The County’s address-search instructions commonly use the street address without the city, state, or ZIP Code and use abbreviated street types.

Search by permit number, process number, or folio

Permit number

A permit number identifies an issued or tracked permit record. Use it to review the permit type, address, contractor, status, inspections, and related permits.

Process or application number

A process or application number can identify a project before permit issuance and may connect to plan review, corrections, revisions, or administrative processing.

Folio number

The Miami-Dade folio is a property identifier. It is useful when:

  • the property has multiple addresses;
  • the address format has changed;
  • the site contains several buildings;
  • the project uses a master address;
  • an address search returns incomplete results;
  • open permits must be reviewed across the property.

Contractor search

Contractor-based searches can help identify permits associated with a licensed contractor or qualifier where the official system supports that search.

Contractor involvement does not prove that the contractor completed the work, remains responsible for the project, or has a current commercial relationship with the property.

Miami permit history and application status

Permit activity should be interpreted as a sequence of distinct stages.

A project may move through:

  1. application submission;
  2. administrative intake;
  3. plan review;
  4. correction or deficiency comments;
  5. resubmission;
  6. agency approvals;
  7. fee payment;
  8. permit issuance;
  9. construction;
  10. inspections;
  11. corrections and reinspections;
  12. final inspection;
  13. permit closure;
  14. Certificate of Occupancy or Completion where applicable.

An application is not an issued permit. The project may be under review, awaiting corrections, inactive, withdrawn, denied, or cancelled.

An approved plan review is not proof that the permit was pulled. Fees, contractor requirements, holds, or other conditions may remain.

An issued permit is not proof that construction began or was completed.

An inspection request is not a passed inspection. Review the official result and any later reinspection.

A passed trade inspection does not close the master permit. Other disciplines, holds, final inspections, or certificates may remain outstanding.

Master permits and subsidiary permits

A commercial construction project can involve a master building permit and several separate subsidiary or trade permits.

Related permits may include:

  • electrical;
  • mechanical;
  • plumbing;
  • gas;
  • roofing;
  • fire alarm;
  • fire sprinkler;
  • elevator;
  • sign;
  • tree;
  • public works or right-of-way;
  • environmental or DERM review;
  • other specialized permits.

Each permit can have its own:

  • contractor;
  • issue date;
  • expiration status;
  • inspection history;
  • correction requirements;
  • final approval;
  • closure status.

Do not assume that the project is complete because one subsidiary permit is closed or because the master permit appears issued.

Plans, ProjectDox, and plan review

Permit summaries do not always contain the detail needed to understand the project. Plans and plan-review records may provide additional context.

Depending on the project, the file may include:

  • site plans;
  • floor plans;
  • building elevations;
  • structural drawings;
  • electrical plans;
  • mechanical plans;
  • plumbing plans;
  • fire and life-safety plans;
  • energy documents;
  • accessibility details;
  • product approvals;
  • environmental reviews;
  • review comments;
  • correction responses;
  • revisions;
  • approved plan sets.

City of Miami plan-review activity can appear in iBuild and ProjectDox. Miami-Dade County plan-review activity can appear in the County Plan Status portal and related permit systems.

The existence of uploaded plans does not mean that the plans were approved. Review each discipline and the latest correction cycle.

Miami building inspection history and results

Inspection history provides a stronger indication of project progress than permit issuance alone.

Review:

  • inspection discipline;
  • inspection type;
  • scheduled date;
  • completed date;
  • official result;
  • inspector comments where available;
  • failed or rejected items;
  • required corrections;
  • reinspection activity;
  • partial approvals;
  • final inspection status;
  • remaining holds or outstanding requirements.

A commercial project may require separate building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, elevator, environmental, health, or other inspections.

One approved inspection does not establish completion of every permit or authorization connected to the project.

Open, expired, and incomplete Miami permits

Open or expired permit records can be material to property acquisition, refinancing, renovation, insurance, leasing, and project planning.

An open permit may indicate:

  • active work;
  • incomplete inspections;
  • missing final approval;
  • unresolved corrections;
  • an inactive project;
  • an administrative closeout issue;
  • a contractor change;
  • an older record that requires research.

An expired permit should be reviewed for:

  • the permitted scope of work;
  • whether work started;
  • inspection history;
  • the last documented activity;
  • remaining violations or holds;
  • whether the work was superseded by another permit;
  • whether the applicable authority requires renewal, reissuance, completion, cancellation, or another closeout procedure.

An open or expired permit is not automatically proof of illegal construction or a current violation. It identifies a record requiring review with the applicable building department.

Historical Miami permits and building plans

Older permit information may not be fully represented in a current online permit summary.

Historical research may require:

  • City of Miami digital building-record requests;
  • Miami-Dade County Microfilm and Plan Library records;
  • older permit cards;
  • archived plans;
  • inspection cards;
  • Certificates of Occupancy or Completion;
  • unsafe-structure files;
  • code-enforcement records;
  • records from a municipality that previously controlled or currently controls the property.

A useful records request should identify:

  • the complete address;
  • folio number;
  • building and suite;
  • permit or process number;
  • project or former business name;
  • approximate date range;
  • the specific plans, permit card, certificate, inspection, or document requested.

Miami-Dade building permit open data

Miami-Dade publishes a mapped building-permit dataset covering recent County permit activity.

It can support:

  • geographic permit screening;
  • recent construction-activity mapping;
  • identification of active areas;
  • property and development research;
  • selection of addresses for deeper permit review;
  • market-level trend analysis.

The public dataset describes a recent rolling period rather than a complete historical archive and is updated on a recurring schedule.

Before using an open-data row for a material conclusion:

  1. confirm the jurisdiction;
  2. open the underlying permit record;
  3. review the current status;
  4. review inspections and holds;
  5. identify related permits;
  6. confirm the address and folio;
  7. review supporting plans or documents where necessary.

What Miami building permit records may show

Available fields differ by City, County, municipality, permit type, project stage, and public-access level.

A permit or related record may contain:

  • permit number;
  • process or application number;
  • permit type and subtype;
  • master or subsidiary permit relationship;
  • property address;
  • suite or unit;
  • folio number;
  • project name;
  • scope-of-work description;
  • application date;
  • issue date;
  • expiration date;
  • completion or closure date;
  • official status;
  • reported construction value;
  • property-owner information;
  • applicant information;
  • contractor and qualifier;
  • architect or engineer where available;
  • plan-review disciplines;
  • review comments and corrections;
  • fees and payment status;
  • inspection types and results;
  • holds and outstanding requirements;
  • related Certificates of Occupancy or Completion;
  • available plans and supporting documents.

A blank field does not necessarily mean that the information does not exist. Relevant details may be stored in a connected permit, plan-review file, inspection record, municipal record, County agency review, archived plan, or public-record file.

How to interpret a Miami permit record correctly

Confirm the issuing authority. City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, and the County’s other municipalities operate separate permitting jurisdictions.

Confirm the record type. Distinguish an application, process number, issued permit, subsidiary permit, plan-review record, inspection, certificate, or code case.

Confirm the exact property and suite. A master building permit may cover several tenant spaces or structures.

Review related permits. Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, roofing, elevator, and other records may have separate status.

Review inspections. Permit issuance alone does not establish project progress or completion.

Review County agency approvals separately. A municipal permit can depend on County Fire, DERM, Water and Sewer, or other review.

Do not treat reported permit value as verified construction spending, contract value, or property value.

Do not infer the final tenant solely from the permit description. The record may identify an owner, developer, contractor, project name, former tenant, or intended user.

New construction permits

New construction projects may require architectural, structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, environmental, utility, and other reviews.

Commercial remodeling and tenant improvement

Interior alterations, tenant buildout, change of use, accessibility work, new equipment, walls, exits, restrooms, kitchens, and life-safety changes may generate a master building permit and multiple trade permits.

Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits

Trade work normally uses separate permit and inspection records. Each trade permit must be reviewed independently and in connection with the master permit.

Fire permits

Fire alarms, sprinklers, suppression systems, occupant loads, emergency systems, hazardous materials, and commercial fire-safety requirements can create separate municipal and County Fire records.

Roofing permits

Roofing records can indicate replacement, repair, structural work, product approval, contractor activity, and inspection requirements.

Demolition permits

Demolition may indicate redevelopment, unsafe-structure work, site preparation, partial interior removal, or removal of an existing building.

Sign permits

Sign activity can indicate business-location activity, but it does not prove that the associated business opened or remains at the address.

Public works and right-of-way permits

Driveways, sidewalks, utility connections, lane closures, excavation, loading areas, and work affecting public property can require separate Public Works approval.

Tree and environmental permits

Tree removal, environmental conditions, drainage, coastal resources, wetlands, contamination, or DERM requirements may create additional reviews outside the primary building permit.

Building permit versus CO, CU, and zoning

A building permit is not a Certificate of Occupancy

A permit authorizes approved construction work subject to inspections and conditions. It does not by itself authorize occupancy or business operation.

Review the Miami Certificate of Occupancy Search Guide when the question concerns final occupancy, completion, temporary occupancy, or an approved tenant space.

A Certificate of Occupancy is not a Certificate of Use

Miami-Dade distinguishes building occupancy or completion documentation from the Certificate of Use process, which addresses whether a business use is allowed at the location under the applicable zoning process.

A permit does not replace zoning approval

A permit record should be compared with current zoning, the exact proposed business activity, overlays, development conditions, and applicable land-use approvals.

Review the Miami Zoning by Address Guide when the central question concerns jurisdiction, zoning district, permitted use, overlays, or formal land-use verification.

A permit does not replace operational licensing

Restaurants, alcohol businesses, hotels, healthcare providers, childcare facilities, contractors, salons, transportation operators, environmental facilities, and other regulated operations may require separate City, County, State of Florida, or federal approvals.

Miami commercial building permit checklist

Before relying on a Miami permit record for a lease, acquisition, construction contract, renovation, financing, insurance, business opening, or account decision, review the following:

  1. Confirm the municipality and permitting authority.
  2. Confirm the complete address and tenant space.
  3. Obtain the Miami-Dade folio number.
  4. Search by address.
  5. Search by folio.
  6. Search by permit and process number.
  7. Identify the master permit.
  8. Identify all subsidiary and trade permits.
  9. Review the permit scope.
  10. Review application and issue dates.
  11. Review current status.
  12. Review plan-review disciplines and comments.
  13. Review corrections and resubmittals.
  14. Review inspection history and final results.
  15. Review holds and outstanding requirements.
  16. Review open or expired permits.
  17. Review available plans and permit cards.
  18. Identify municipal and County agency approvals.
  19. Review zoning and land-use context.
  20. Review Certificates of Occupancy, Completion, and Use.
  21. Review code and unsafe-structure records where relevant.
  22. Verify the conclusion with the controlling official record.

This checklist identifies unanswered questions. It does not replace an official permit determination, legal advice, architectural or engineering review, survey, title review, environmental assessment, or professional property due diligence.

Commercial uses of Miami building permit data

Contractor and construction-vendor research

Permit type, scope, contractor information, location, issue date, plan-review activity, trade permits, and inspections can help identify projects requiring deeper commercial review.

A permit is not a guaranteed sales lead. The project may already have contractors, be delayed, be inactive, or no longer require the service being marketed.

Tenant-improvement and business-opening research

Commercial remodeling, tenant buildout, fire, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, sign, inspection, CO, and CU records can indicate activity at a business location.

These records should be corroborated before describing the activity as a confirmed opening, relocation, expansion, or new tenant.

Commercial real estate due diligence

Buyers, lenders, landlords, brokers, and tenants can use permit history to identify additions, remodeling, structural work, roof replacement, unresolved permits, inspections, occupancy records, and other documented property changes.

Development and construction monitoring

Permit and open-data records can help identify active development areas, new construction, renovation concentrations, and properties requiring project-level investigation.

Regulated-location review

Restaurants, hotels, healthcare operations, warehouses, industrial users, entertainment venues, food businesses, and other regulated operations can generate building, fire, environmental, health, and occupancy records.

Risk and compliance-facing research

Open permits, expired permits, failed inspections, outstanding requirements, incomplete certificates, or jurisdictional conflicts may identify questions requiring official verification.

These signals should not be described as violations, illegal construction, or final compliance findings unless the controlling public record expressly establishes that status.

B2B account prioritization

Permit events can be combined with account, property, licensing, procurement, regulatory, healthcare, hospitality, logistics, environmental, and other official-source records to prioritize Miami-Dade organizations and locations for deeper review.

Limitations of Miami building permit searches

Miami permit records are useful, but no single public interface provides a complete commercial due-diligence answer.

Important limitations include:

  • the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, and other municipalities use separate systems;
  • a Miami mailing address does not establish City of Miami jurisdiction;
  • a County review record may be connected to a municipal permit;
  • address and suite formats can differ among systems;
  • one project may have several process and permit numbers;
  • master and subsidiary permits can have different statuses;
  • an application is not an issued permit;
  • an issued permit does not prove construction began;
  • inspection scheduling does not prove inspection approval;
  • one passed inspection does not complete the project;
  • open or expired permits require context;
  • online summaries may not contain full plans or historical records;
  • open data does not provide complete historical coverage;
  • permit valuation is not confirmed project cost or property value;
  • the named applicant or contractor may not be the final occupant;
  • a permit does not replace zoning, CO, CU, fire, environmental, or operational approval;
  • a missing online result is not proof that no permit exists.

When a property acquisition, lease, financing, construction contract, regulated operation, insurance decision, compliance conclusion, or substantial investment depends on the result, verify the current permit file with the responsible municipal or County authority and obtain appropriate professional review.

Common Miami building permit search questions

Where can I search City of Miami permits?

Use the City of Miami iBuild portal and the official View Permit History / Permit Search instructions.

Can I search Miami permits by address?

Yes. First confirm the municipality, then use the applicable City, County, or municipal permit system. Search both the exact suite and the base-building address.

Can I search City of Miami permits by folio?

City inspection and permit resources support searches using several identifiers, including address, permit number, and folio where available.

Where can I search Miami-Dade County permits?

Use the Miami-Dade Building Permit Selection Menu for permit, address, folio, inspection, hold, outstanding-requirement, and project-status searches.

Does Miami-Dade County issue every permit in the County?

No. Incorporated municipalities generally have their own building officials. Miami-Dade County directly handles applicable permits in unincorporated areas and also performs certain County-level reviews for municipal projects.

How do I determine whether a property is in the City of Miami?

Review the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser record, municipality field, folio, legal description, and official jurisdictional information. Confirm with the building department when necessary.

What is a process number?

A process or application number identifies an application or project workflow and may exist before the final permit is issued.

What is a folio number?

A Miami-Dade folio is a 13-digit property identifier used in County property and permitting records.

How do I check a Miami permit application status?

For City of Miami applications, review iBuild and ProjectDox. For applicable Miami-Dade applications, use the County Plan Status portal and Building Permit Selection Menu.

How do I check Miami inspection history?

Use the applicable City, County, or municipal inspection search. Confirm the permit number, inspection discipline, date, result, and any later reinspection.

Does an issued permit mean the project is complete?

No. Permit issuance, construction, inspection approval, permit closure, and occupancy approval are separate stages.

Does a passed inspection mean the entire project is complete?

Not necessarily. Other trade permits, final inspections, holds, agency approvals, or certificates may remain outstanding.

Where can I find old City of Miami building plans?

Use the City’s digital building-record request process for available historical permits and plans.

Where can I find old Miami-Dade County plans?

For applicable unincorporated County properties, use the Miami-Dade Microfilm and Plan Library.

Does Miami-Dade Open Data contain every permit?

No. The public building-permit layer covers recent County permit activity and should not be treated as a complete archive of all historical or municipal permits.

Does a permit prove that a business opened?

No. The project may be under review, incomplete, abandoned, built for another tenant, or awaiting inspections, a Certificate of Occupancy, or a Certificate of Use.

How Registry Intelligence structures Miami permit signals

The City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, other municipalities, and the applicable government agencies remain the controlling sources for building permits, plans, inspections, Certificates of Occupancy, Certificates of Use, code records, zoning, fire, environmental review, and current permit requirements.

Registry Intelligence does not replace iBuild, ProjectDox, Miami-Dade permit systems, municipal building departments, building-record requests, direct agency verification, legal review, architectural or engineering analysis, or professional property due diligence.

The Miami Commercial Intelligence Module structures selected official-source records into three linked research layers:

  • Accounts: organization, institution, property, entity, and commercial-location records used for account-level screening;
  • Events: permit, inspection, filing, project, registration, award, status, and other recorded activity where included;
  • Full Evidence: source identifiers, descriptions, dates, geography proof, source URLs, and record-level context supporting the account and event layers.

Permit-related activity can be reviewed alongside account identity, event dates, property and location context, regulatory records, source URLs, evidence fields, and other official-source signals.

This structure is designed to support contractor and vendor research, tenant-improvement screening, commercial real estate review, regulated-location analysis, account prioritization, market monitoring, compliance-facing research, and source-backed investigation before the user returns to the controlling permit record for final verification.

Use permit data to identify construction activity. Use the correct jurisdiction, complete permit file, plans, and inspections to verify the conclusion.

A reliable Miami permit review requires the correct municipality, address, folio, permit and process numbers, master and subsidiary permits, plan-review status, inspections, agency approvals, occupancy context, and current official documentation.

Review the Miami Commercial Intelligence Module

Read the Miami Certificate of Occupancy Search Guide

Read the Miami Zoning by Address Guide

View all Florida Intelligence Modules

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