Pre-Submission Review · Free

Remodel Plan Check

Miami, FL

Remodels that change the floor plan, add square footage, or modify structural elements trigger plan review. The #1 surprise for homeowners: existing nonconforming conditions. If your house was built under old codes and doesn't meet current requirements, a remodel may trigger expensive compliance upgrades you didn't budget for.

  • Check if your existing home has nonconforming setbacks, height, or coverage
  • Verify whether your scope triggers 'new construction' classification (50%+ wall replacement)
  • Confirm energy code compliance thresholds for your remodel scope
  • Identify historic district restrictions that may add design review

Project Location

Building Dimensions

Setbacks

Coverage & Parking

Additional Notes

Remodel in Miami: What You Need to Know

Remodels in Miami trigger plan review when they change the floor plan layout, add habitable square footage, or modify structural elements. The threshold varies — some cities require permits for any work over $500, while others only trigger review for structural or layout changes.

What remodel plan checkers look for in Miami:

  • Existing nonconforming conditions — If your house was built under old codes and doesn't meet current setback, height, or coverage requirements, a remodel may trigger compliance upgrades. This is the #1 surprise for homeowners.
  • Scope creep into "new construction" — If you're replacing more than 50% of exterior walls or the roof structure, many cities reclassify the project as new construction with stricter requirements.
  • Structural modifications — Removing load-bearing walls, adding headers, or modifying the foundation requires engineering calculations and often a separate structural plan check.
  • Energy code compliance — Kitchen and bathroom remodels may trigger energy compliance requirements for lighting, insulation, and HVAC if the scope exceeds certain thresholds.
  • Historic district restrictions — If your property is in a designated historic district, exterior modifications face additional design review that can add 2–4 months.

The form above checks your remodel against Miami's current zoning standards. Even if you're not changing the footprint, verifying compliance avoids surprises during plan check.

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 remodel 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 remodel 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.