Unincorporated Miami-Dade County fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Unincorporated Miami-Dade County? Yes. Unincorporated Miami-Dade County requires a permit before you build a fence.
buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for Unincorporated Miami-Dade County (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- Minimum fee depends on linear footage and fence type (Building Fee Schedule) source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft in most cases source
- Front (street) yard
- 6 ft in the front yard (chain link not allowed in front) source
- Corner lots
- Visibility rules may limit height to 2.5 ft at intersections and near driveways source
- Distance from lot line
- Walls, fences and hedges may be placed on property lines; most residential chain link fences must be behind the front building line. Nothing in a utility easement without the utilities' written consent. source
- Good side faces
- Finished side faces outward (an affidavit to waive this is available); concrete walls must be stuccoed and painted on both sides. source
- Not allowed
- Chain link along the front building line (limited exceptions).
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the Unincorporated Miami-Dade County
Steps based on miamidade.gov — fences gates.page
- Check your zoning district and any HOA rules; get a survey or site plan.
- Pick the right application for your fence type: yellow Building Permit Application (Category 18) or green Zoning Improvement Permit (chain link or open metal).
- If the fence is in a utility easement, call Sunshine 811 (1-800-432-4770) for a ticket, wait four working days, and attach the Addendum to Fence Permit Application.
- Submit through the county's Permit Submission Portal (GoldKey) and pay the fee online.
- Review usually takes 1–2 business days.
- For wood and other non-masonry fences, request the post hole foundation inspection (code 082) before setting posts.
- Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging.
- Paying
- Online (Pay Fees Now)
- Review time
- Usually 1–2 business days
- Inspections
- Post hole foundation inspection (request code 082) for non-masonry fences before posts are set
Who to contact
Permit Section, Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources
Permitting and Inspection Center
- Phone
- 786-315-2100
- Address
- Herbert S. Saffir Permitting and Inspection Center, 11805 SW 26 Street, Miami, FL 33175
Contact from miamidade.gov — fences gates.page
What to submit
- Building Permit Application (yellow, Category 18) for wood, aluminum/PVC/vinyl, masonry and commercial chain link; Zoning Improvement Permit (ZIP, green) application for residential chain link (Category 10) or open metal/picket (Category 11)
- Contact Sheet
- Survey or site plan
- Standard county fence detail, a product approval (NOA) or signed and sealed drawing
- Addendum to Fence Permit Application if the fence is in a utility easement (needs a Sunshine 811 ticket first)
- Proof of ownership if you're an owner-builder or the owner isn't in public records
- HOA approval letter, if applicable
- Optional: affidavit to waive the finished side; affidavit to extend height (notarized neighbor consent)
Other rules to know
- Hedges may be up to 7 ft (8 ft on agricultural property).
- A fence up to 2 ft taller than allowed needs notarized consent from the abutting neighbors on the interior sides and rear, and can't extend into the front yard.
- Since May 13, 2024, standalone residential fences can use the county's pre-approved standard fence detail, so only Zoning and Public Works review the plans.
- Contractors must be licensed by Miami-Dade County or the State of Florida.
Before you dig
Call Sunshine 811 before digging post holes (dial 811 or file online at sunshine811.com) at least two full business days ahead. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the Unincorporated Miami-Dade County, FL?
Yes. Unincorporated Miami-Dade County requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the Unincorporated Miami-Dade County?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft in most cases. Front (street) yard: 6 ft in the front yard (chain link not allowed in front). Corner lots: Visibility rules may limit height to 2.5 ft at intersections and near driveways.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Unincorporated Miami-Dade County?
Walls, fences and hedges may be placed on property lines; most residential chain link fences must be behind the front building line. Nothing in a utility easement without the utilities' written consent.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the Unincorporated Miami-Dade County?
Finished side faces outward (an affidavit to waive this is available); concrete walls must be stuccoed and painted on both sides.
How much is a fence permit in the Unincorporated Miami-Dade County?
Minimum fee depends on linear footage and fence type (Building Fee Schedule).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Unincorporated Miami-Dade County?
Check your zoning district and any HOA rules; get a survey or site plan. Pick the right application for your fence type: yellow Building Permit Application (Category 18) or green Zoning Improvement Permit (chain link or open metal). If the fence is in a utility easement, call Sunshine 811 (1-800-432-4770) for a ticket, wait four working days, and attach the Addendum to Fence Permit Application. Submit through the county's Permit Submission Portal (GoldKey) and pay the fee online. Review usually takes 1–2 business days. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for Unincorporated Miami-Dade County (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Unincorporated Miami-Dade County?
Permit Section, Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Permitting and Inspection Center. Phone 786-315-2100.
Sources
Summarized from Unincorporated Miami-Dade County's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Miami-Dade County Code §33-11
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If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.