Class I Permit

Section 24-48 of the Miami-Dade County Code requires that a Miami-Dade County Class I Permit be obtained prior to performing any work in, on, over or upon tidal waters or coastal wetlands of Miami-Dade County or of any of the municipalities located within Miami-Dade County. A Class I Permit is also required for most mangrove trimming, alteration or removal. This permit requirement applies to most work with some exceptions that are specified in the Miami-Dade County Code.

A Class I permit is utilized to manage impacts from construction on coastal wetlands and tidal waters. Through the Class I Permit Application process, proposed projects are reviewed to identify potential environmental and other impacts. Before the permit is issued, Miami-Dade County may require modification of the project to eliminate avoidable impacts and to minimize other impacts. Compensation (mitigation) is required for unavoidable impacts as part of the permit.

Other permits may be needed before you can start work. The following is a list of other agencies that may have jurisdiction over these Class I projects. Please be advised that their involvement will depend upon the location, nature, type and size of the project:

• Local Municipality (structural, zoning, building)
• Miami-Dade County (if located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County)
• South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)

Depending on your situation, you may need one or more of the above-mentioned permits, in addition to a Class I permit. Additionally, there may be instances when a permit that is not listed here is required. We encourage you to contact the Coastal and Wetlands Resources Section at 305-372-6575 to discuss your particular case or to request additional information.

Processing time may vary from project to project due to design, site conditions or project complexity. Short form applications typically take 8 to 12 weeks to process, while standard form applications may take anywhere from 12 weeks to over a year.

Most short form permits are valid for 2 years from the date of issuance, while mangrove trimming permits and most standard form permits are valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. If additional time is necessary to perform the work, the permit may be extended in 2 or 3-year increments provided the total time period of the extensions granted does not exceed 10 years.

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