Here are a few questions that people have asked the Building Department. If you do not find the answer you are looking for here please visit the frequently asked questions (FAQ's) section of our website for a complete list of questions. If you do not find the answer there please contact our office.

Where do I get a permit?
There are different building jurisdictions. Each city has it's own building official who issues building permits for work within that city's limits. If you live in unincorporated Miami-Dade County or the City of West Miami, the Miami-Dade County Building Department will issue building permits.

How can I view or obtain copies of the original building plans of my home or commercial property?
You must schedule an appointment to view or obtain copies of your plans. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday during the hours from 7:30am to 3:00pm.

How will I know when I need inspections?
Inspections depend on what is involved in the project. Simply stated, an inspection is required prior to covering up any part of the construction.

Why did the bank put a hold in my credit card account when I tried to pay for permit fees?

Banking institutions have their own business regulations, which are completely unrelated to our online payment applications and out of our control to amend.  Once a transaction is submitted, if it is rejected due to address issues, the issuing bank locks the funds for 2 to 3 days depending on those individual regulations.  After that time has elapsed the funds are released, and only the successful transaction is charged to the customer’s account.  The fact that the transactions are rejected once the bank issues the warning is indeed a good security procedure to protect the customers against fraudulent charges.

Why was my credit card payment rejected?

Credit card transactions are often rejected by the credit card company when the billing address that you entered in the web page does not match with address the credit card company has on record.

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