Permit guidance · Last reviewed 2026-08-28
Kitchen Remodeling Permits in Miami
A permit is often required, depending on the exact scope. Confirm with the department. This is educational information, not a legal determination and not a substitute for the building department.
City of Miami vs unincorporated Miami-Dade
City of Miami
Kitchen/bathroom/cabinet repairs appear on City of Miami express lists when they are eligible minor work. Moving plumbing, electrical, or walls is a different, fuller permit.
Miami-Dade County (unincorporated)
Work that alters plumbing, electrical, or structure generally needs permits. Cabinet-only cosmetic work often does not — the line is the department's, not the contractor's convenience.
Other municipalities (Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Hialeah, and the rest) have their own building departments. Always start with the jurisdiction of the property address.
Typical steps
- Write the scope: cosmetic versus layout, plumbing, electrical, or structural change.
- Ask who pulls permits for each trade.
- In a condo, association approval runs in parallel.
Exemptions (high level)
Surface-level cabinet replacement without plumbing or electrical changes is more often exempt. New circuits, moved sinks, and wall changes generally are not.
Fees
Fees scale with valuation and trades. Confirm with the department.
Official resources
Sources & verification
Factual and regulatory statements on this page are based on official government and licensing authorities. Requirements change — always confirm current details at the source.
- Miami-Dade County — Contractor licensing and permitting (RER / Building)Miami-Dade County contractor licensing and building permit requirements.Source checked 2026-08-28
- Florida Building Commission — Florida Building CodeThe Florida Building Code and the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) that applies to Miami-Dade.Source checked 2026-08-28
- City of Miami Building Department — Permits, construction, and residential permit guideCity of Miami building permits, iBuild, express review, and roofing/window/solar catalog items. Confirm current checklists on the City site.Source checked 2026-08-28
Questions
Can you tell me if I need a permit?
Only the building department with jurisdiction over the address can. This page summarizes published City of Miami and Miami-Dade guidance and links to those sources.
Who should pull the permit?
For licensed contracting work, the contractor typically pulls it under their license. Being asked to pull it yourself as an owner-builder shifts responsibility to you.