/ Miami-Dade · HB 803 · FBC 105.2

The $7,500 exemption does not cover mechanical work.

Educational restatement of Miami-Dade County’s published permit-exemption page for unincorporated County (folios that start with 30). Municipalities have their own building officials. Confirm the live County page before you act. Distinct from model IMC 105.

HB 803 (July 1, 2026) — who it can apply to

• Single-family homes, two-family homes (duplexes), and townhouses (single-family units up to three stories, attached in groups of two or more, separated by property lines, open to a yard or street on at least two sides), plus accessory structures on those properties.
• Units in multi-family buildings do not qualify.
• Properties located partially or entirely in a flood hazard area are not eligible. Check FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for the address.
• A project cannot be split into smaller phases to avoid permitting rules.
• Even under $7,500, the County still requires permits for electrical, plumbing, structural (including windows, doors, wind-resistant fences, and sheds), mechanical, and gas work.
• Non-wind-resistant fences (chain-link, picket) remain exempt from a building permit but still need a zoning permit.

To request the HB 803 exemption the owner or contractor submits a written request plus the contract/documentation of nature and value through the County portal — or in person at the Herbert S. Saffir Permitting and Inspection Center. That process is for work that is otherwise eligible. Mechanical work is listed as still requiring a permit.

Mechanical work that Miami-Dade still lists as permit-exempt (FBC 105.2 / local)

Exemption from a permit is not permission to violate the Florida Building Code. Other agencies can still require approvals.

• Portable heating appliance, portable ventilation equipment, portable cooling unit, portable evaporative cooler.
• Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by the code.
• Replacement of any part that does not alter approval of the equipment or make it unsafe.
• Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
• Installation, replacement, removal, or metering of any load-management control device.
• Repair work by a licensed mechanical contractor that does not exceed $500 in materials and labor.
• Regardless of value, when performed by a licensed mechanical contractor: repair of air-conditioning duct; repair or replacement of coil, compressor, or refrigerant piping inside equipment; repair or replacement of non-combustion heating inside equipment; repair or replacement of fans inside equipment.
• Window air-conditioning unit replacement, and installation of ductless range hoods, appear on the County’s 102.2.5 residential list — with a $5,000 aggregate cap in any 12-month period for that list. Confirm current text.

Official source: Miami-Dade permit exemptions · apply: how to apply · tool: mechanical-permit screen · IMC 105: model permits.