Do I need a permit for window or exterior door replacement in Miami?
Yes. In Florida, window or exterior door replacement generally requires a permit, and Miami is no exception.
Replacing windows or exterior doors, including garage doors, generally requires a permit in Florida even when the new unit is the same size, because the opening must meet current wind-load requirements. Each product must carry a valid Florida Product Approval, or a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance in High-Velocity Hurricane Zones. A few jurisdictions allow narrow same-size, glass-only exceptions.
Local and county notes for Miami
Like-for-like replacement usually does not waive the permit in Florida. The product approval must match the wind-load rating for your specific address. Window and door replacement is not on the City of Miami exempt-work list, so a permit is required even for like-for-like changeouts. Because the entire city is in the Miami-Dade High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), windows, doors, garage doors, and shutters generally must carry a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or Florida Product Approval. Garage doors and hurricane shutters are listed as their own permit categories in the City of Miami Residential Permit Guide, so confirm the correct permit type in iBuild before applying. Replacement windows and doors must be impact rated, or protected by approved shutters, and must carry product approval documentation for HVHZ use. A unit that is fine elsewhere in Florida can be rejected here. Miami-Dade County's Notice of Acceptance, the NOA, is the product approval most commonly demanded here, and contractors are expected to supply the NOA number with the application. Your city issues the permit, not the county. Miami-Dade County's own building department serves the unincorporated area, while each municipality runs its own building department, and the county Board of Rules and Appeals interprets the code across all of them.
Documents you may need
- Permit applicationLikely required
- Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade NOA for each unitLikely required
- Window and door layout or opening scheduleSometimes required
- Notice of commencement (for work over the statutory value)Sometimes required
- Building permit application for windows and doors filed through the City of Miami iBuild portalrequired
- Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or Florida Product Approval for the windows, doors, and any impact or shutter productsrequired
- Product installation details and a signed contractor application (garage doors and hurricane shutters are handled as their own permit categories)Sometimes required
- Product approval or Notice of Acceptance documentation for HVHZ rated materialsSometimes required
Possible inspections
- In-progress fastening and flashing inspection
- Final inspection
- Rough / buck and fastening inspection where applicable
- Final windows and doors inspection scheduled through iBuild
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for window or exterior door replacement in Miami?
- Yes. In Florida, window or exterior door replacement generally requires a permit, and Miami is no exception. Replacing windows or exterior doors, including garage doors, generally requires a permit in Florida even when the new unit is the same size, because the opening must meet current wind-load requirements. Each product must carry a valid Florida Product Approval, or a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance in High-Velocity Hurricane Zones. A few jurisdictions allow narrow same-size, glass-only exceptions.
- Who issues the permit in Miami?
- The local building department for Miami handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.