Pre-Submission Review · Free

Garage Conversion Plan Check

Miami, FL

Garage conversions are one of the fastest, most affordable paths to additional living space. In many states, cities cannot require replacement parking when you convert a garage to an ADU. But you still need to meet habitable space standards for ceiling height, natural light, ventilation, and fire separation.

  • Confirm replacement parking requirements (waived in some states)
  • Check minimum ceiling height for habitable space (7'6" required)
  • Verify natural light requirements (window area = 8% of floor area)
  • Identify fire separation requirements if garage shares a wall with the main house

Project Location

Building Dimensions

Setbacks

Coverage & Parking

Additional Notes

Garage Conversion in Miami: What You Need to Know

Garage conversions are one of the fastest paths to additional living space in Miami. Converting a garage to an ADU often means no additional setback requirements (the structure already exists) and lower construction costs than new construction.

What to know about garage conversions in Miami:

  • Replacement parking rules — Check whether Miami requires replacement parking when you convert a garage. Some states waive this requirement by law; others leave it to local code.
  • Habitable space standards — Your garage must meet minimum ceiling height (7'6" for habitable rooms), natural light requirements (window area = 8% of floor area), and ventilation standards. Low ceilings are the most common deal-breaker.
  • Foundation requirements — Many garages have thinner slab foundations than what's required for habitable space. Miami may require a new foundation pour or engineering certification of the existing slab.
  • Utility connections — You'll need plumbing (kitchen/bathroom), electrical upgrades (separate panel or sub-panel), and potentially gas. Factor utility lateral costs into your budget — they can add $10,000–$25,000.
  • Fire separation — If the converted garage shares a wall with the main house, fire-rated separation (typically 1-hour rated) is required. This may mean adding layers of drywall or fire-rated assemblies.

Use the form above to check your garage conversion against Miami's codes. We verify setbacks, height, coverage, and parking to flag issues before you submit.

How Plan Check Works in Miami

01

Enter your project details

Fill in the form above with your lot size, setbacks, building height, and other dimensions — the same numbers on your architectural plans.

02

We check against Miami codes

Your project is compared against Miami's specific zoning requirements — setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, parking ratios, and FAR limits for your zone.

03

Get a prioritized report

Critical violations, warnings, and advisory items — ranked by what a Miami plan checker will flag first. Fix issues before you submit and save weeks of correction cycles.

Miami Zone Requirements

Zone Front Side Rear Height Coverage
T3-L — Sub-Urban Transect Zone - Limited 20' 7.5' 20' 35' 45%
T3-O — Sub-Urban Transect Zone - Open 15' 5' 15' 35' 50%
T3-R — Sub-Urban Transect Zone - Restricted 20' 7.5' 20' 30' 40%

Frequently Asked Questions

What setbacks does Miami require for garage conversion projects? +

Miami requires a 20' front setback, 7.5' side setback, and 20' rear setback in the most common residential zone. Specific requirements vary by zone — enter your zone code above for exact numbers.

How long does Miami plan review take? +

Initial plan review in Miami typically takes 4-8 weeks. If corrections are required, each resubmission adds another 2-4 weeks. Running a pre-check before submitting can eliminate the most common correction items and save one or more review cycles.

What is the maximum building height in Miami? +

The most common residential zone in Miami allows a maximum height of 35 feet. Height measurement methods vary — some cities measure to the highest ridge, others to the midpoint of the roof. Check the specific zone requirements for your property.

Is this plan check tool free? +

Yes. Create a free account to run unlimited plan checks against Miami's building codes. The tool checks setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, parking requirements, and flags common issues that Miami plan reviewers look for.

What are the most common garage conversion plan check corrections in Miami? +

The most frequently flagged items in Miami include: Flood zone compliance (FEMA); Miami-Dade hurricane wind speed requirements (180+ mph); Live Local Act ADU compliance. Our tool checks for all of these automatically.