Windows & Doors Permit Requirements in Miami-Dade County
Replacing windows or exterior doors in Miami-Dade County generally needs a building permit, and every product needs a current Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance. The county's exemptions are narrow: swapping only a door slab (not its frame) or only the glass pane of a window doesn't need one, but replacing a whole window, or a door together with its frame, does.
Verified against official sources · Last verified: September 19, 2026
Do You Need a Permit?
Conditional — More Information NeededA building permit is generally required in Miami-Dade County to replace windows or exterior doors, create a new window or door opening, or block up an existing opening, and every product needs a current Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (or Florida Building Commission product approval). The county's minor-repair exemptions are narrow: replacing only a door slab (the door itself, not its frame) or only the glass pane of a window does not need a permit, but replacing a window assembly, or a door together with its frame, does.
See what applies to your exact property.
Check Your PropertyPermit Type
Building Permit
Documents You May Need
- Building Permit Application (yellow form), with the category marked for the work — 82 and/or 83 for windows and glass doors, 104 for exterior doors without glass, 22 for garage doors, or 02 (plus 82/83) for a new opening — and the total area (sq. ft.) of the products
- Contact Sheet
- Elevation (frontal view) of each exterior wall showing the windows or doors being replaced, with their sizes and Miami-Dade County or Florida Building Commission product approval numbers (and mullion cross-section sizes, if mullions are used)
- Current Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA) — or Florida Building Commission product approval — for each window, glass door, door, or mullion used
- For new windows or openings: the required positive and negative pressures (psf) of each product, plus the glass type/thickness and mullion connection options being used
- For a new opening or an opening block-up: Miami-Dade's standard detail, or custom drawings signed and sealed by an architect or engineer, showing the opening location and the size and approval number of each product
- For a new door opening: exterior light and switch location and circuit information (breaker, wire, conduit size, GFCI receptacles)
- Owner-Builder form, if applying as an owner-builder
- Threshold buildings (over three stories or 50 feet tall, or large assembly buildings): building data, wind calculations, Threshold Building Affidavit, Special Inspector form, and a threshold inspection plan from the design professional of record
Inspections
- Threshold inspection by a State of Florida certified Special Inspector (threshold buildings only)
Conditions That Can Affect This Result
This isn't a flat rule — the outcome can depend on details specific to your project. Use the checker to get a result based on your own answers, or see the verified scenarios below.
- If you're creating a new window or door opening: a permit is required.
- If you're modifying an existing window or door opening: a permit is required.
- If you're replacing the whole window or door, including its frame: a permit is required.
- If you weren't sure what type of window or door work this is: more information is needed to determine this.
- If you weren't sure what part of the window or door is being replaced: more information is needed to determine this.
What to Do Next
- 1Confirm which scenario applies to your project with the building department.
- 2Once confirmed, gather the required documents for that scenario.
- 3Contact the building department for how to submit your application.
Ready to continue?
Apply for the permit
Open the official government application portal.
Questions about your permit?
Call the Building Department.
Common Questions
Do I need a permit to replace a window in Miami-Dade County?
Generally yes. Replacing a window assembly needs a building permit, and the product needs a current Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (or Florida Building Commission product approval). Replacing only the glass pane is one of the county's narrow exemptions.
Do I need a permit to replace just a door?
Replacing only the door slab — the door itself, not its frame — doesn't need a permit. Replacing a door together with its frame does.
What if I'm adding or closing a window or door opening?
Creating a new opening or blocking up an existing one generally needs a building permit, whatever is installed in it.
Permit Fees
Fees vary by project scope. See the Miami-Dade County Building Fee Schedule.
Review Time
Varies by project and plan-review workload
Building Department
Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) — Building & Permits
Phone: 305-375-2877Email: RERInfo@miamidade.govAddress: 111 NW 1st Street, 11th Floor, Miami, FL 33128
Official Sources
Miami-Dade County — Windows, Shutters, Doors and Security Bars
miamidade.gov · Official page · verified September 19, 2026
Miami-Dade County — New Windows, Mullions & Glass Doors Checklist
miamidade.gov · Official PDF · verified September 19, 2026
Miami-Dade County — Permit Exemptions
miamidade.gov · Official page · verified September 19, 2026
Source last checked: September 17, 2026
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PermitAhead provides informational guidance based on official government sources. Final permitting decisions are made by the applicable local authority.