Permit Required? Required
Typical Fee Range $300–$900 Building permit ($105) plus plumbing fixture and electrical fees.
Fee Method Project-based
Apply Online Apply at City of Miami Building Department →

What's Required in Miami

  • A permit is required for replacing or relocating any plumbing fixture (toilet, tub, shower).
  • Shower pan liners must be flood-tested and inspected for 24 hours before tile.
  • Electrical permit required for new GFCI-protected outlets and exhaust fans.
  • Tempered safety glass required for all windows within a shower or tub enclosure.
  • Notice of Commencement required if project valuation exceeds $2,500.
  • Exhaust fans must be vented to the exterior, not into the attic space.

Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Bathroom in Miami

It depends on what you’re changing. A cosmetic bathroom refresh in Miami — new paint, a vanity or toilet swapped in the same spot, re-tiling, or replacing a faucet — usually doesn’t need a building permit. You cross into permit territory once you move or add plumbing or electrical, relocate fixtures, change the layout, remove or move a wall, or add square footage. Because remodels often bundle plumbing and electrical work, many projects need those trade permits even when the building permit is borderline. Check the specifics with the City of Miami Building Department; the requirements above outline what Miami treats as permit-worthy.

What Bathroom Work Needs a Permit in Miami

In Miami, the trigger is usually moving systems, not refreshing surfaces. Work that typically requires a permit: relocating or adding plumbing (moving a toilet, sink, or shower drain), adding a shower or tub where there wasn’t one, new or moved electrical circuits and outlets, removing or altering a wall, converting a half bath to a full bath, or turning another room into a bathroom. Like-for-like swaps in the same location — same toilet spot, same tub footprint — usually don’t. Even removing a tub can need a plumbing permit if the drain is capped or moved, so confirm with the City of Miami Building Department before you start.

How to Get a Bathroom Remodel Permit in Miami

1

Step 1: Application Filing

Apply online via the iBuild portal for a 'Residential Building' remodel permit.

2

Step 2: Pay Upfront Fees

Pay the plan review deposit and unit base fee ($105).

3

Step 3: Rough Inspections

Schedule inspections for the shower pan, plumbing top-out, and electrical rough-in.

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Step 4: Pay Remaining Fees

Pay the final permit balance based on construction valuation.

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Step 5: Final Inspection

Complete the finishes and schedule the final trade and safety sign-offs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, simple cosmetic plumbing repairs like shower head or faucet handle replacement are exempt.
Total fees typically range from $300 to $600 for standard residential remodels.
Resurfacing or retiling is exempt from building permits in Miami.
Only if you’re changing more than surfaces. Cosmetic work in Miami — paint, re-tiling, swapping a vanity or toilet in the same spot — usually needs no permit, but moving or adding plumbing or electrical, relocating fixtures, or changing the layout does. Confirm the scope with the City of Miami Building Department.
Yes — relocating a toilet, sink, or shower drain, or adding a new fixture, generally requires a plumbing permit in Miami, even inside a cosmetic-looking remodel. Replacing a fixture in the same spot usually doesn’t. Check with the City of Miami Building Department.