Miami-Dade County, FL HVAC permit requirements

Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023). The county’s own mechanical plan-review guideline states: ‘Code references are to the 2023 Florida Building Code (unless otherwise noted)’, and applies to ‘Single family homes, duplexes and townhouses, as defined in 101.2 (Re)’.

Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, 8th Edition (2023) — the statewide edition. The county’s mechanical review sheet keys this volume as ‘Energy Conservation (Ec)’ and checks compliance against R101.4, R401.2, R402, R403 and R405.

Required — but by code reference, not by name. Miami-Dade’s documents do not use the words “Manual J”. The plan-review guideline lists ‘Heating and Cooling Equipment — Sizing of heating and cooling equipment’ against M1401.3 (Re), and the inspection guideline makes the calculated load mandatory at final: ‘Verify equipment sizing do not exceed 1.15 times the total calculated load and shall not be less than the latent load calculated. Mandatory’ (FBC ENRG R403.7.1.1).

Equipment selection is checked the same way: ‘Verify manufacturer’s expanded performance data is be used to select cooling-only equipment’ (FBC-R ENRG 403.7.1.1) — which is a Manual S selection in substance. So a load calculation and a selection backed by expanded performance data both have to exist, whatever the paperwork is called.

Not verified. No Miami-Dade document we could find names Manual D. The plan-review guideline lists ‘Duct Systems — Design and construction — M1601 (Re)’ and ‘Return air — M1602 (Re)’, and the inspection guideline checks ‘balanced return air/0.01 inch WC or less’ (FBC-M 601.6). A duct design is the normal way to show that, but the county does not demand one by name.

A mechanical permit is required. The exemption list reads: ‘Change out of air conditioning equipment provided it is of the same electrical amperage. (While an electrical permit is not required for an exact air conditioning changeout, a mechanical permit is required.)’

Notice of Commencement threshold is $7,500 here, not the $15,000 some other Florida counties use: ‘Notice of Commencement: Do not apply to the repair or replacement of a/c systems less than $7500.00 (change-outs)’ (FBC-B [A] 105.8).

The residential paths of FBC Energy Conservation apply, and the county’s mechanical review checks fenestration, walls, ceilings and floors against R402 and the R405 simulated-performance sections (R405.2.1, R405.5.3). At final inspection the paperwork has to be on site: ‘Verify energy calculations and plans at worksite’ (FBC-B [A] 107.3.1, FBC-ENRG C103.3.1).

Miami-Dade is in the HVHZ, which is the part of this page that catches out-of-town contractors. Rooftop equipment is inspected against it directly: ‘Verify roof mounted equipment per HVHZ requirements’ (FBC-B 1522.2, FBC-M 301.15), alongside ‘Verify equipment vibration isolation – approved means of restraint’ (FBC-M 301.13).

The plan-review guideline is the list the reviewer works from: ‘This form provides a list of code requirements that must be verified by the Building Official before the issuance of a building permit’. It covers the energy envelope, equipment sizing, duct and return systems, combustion air, chimneys and vents.

‘Submit your application along with required documents through the Portal’. Trades can skip plan review in some cases: ‘You may obtain roofing permits, storm panels, accordion shutters or electrical, mechanical or plumbing permits that do not require plan review by using the E-permitting system’.

miamidade.gov — how to apply