Guide to Getting a Building Permit

Overview

We have outlined a step-by-step process on how to apply for permits with the City of Homestead to ensure you meet all regulatory requirements with ease. From initial application to final approval, our guide simplifies the process, providing clarity and support at each juncture.

Before You Begin

The City of Homestead as of October 1, 2025, has launched a new permitting and licensing platform for Building, Utilities, Inspections, and Land Development applications. This project will be implemented in two phases. To view the list of applications/services that are available via EPL-B.U.I.L.D, click here.

Note: If you started your permit application before October 1, 2025, your project is considered a legacy project and will continue through the City's legacy system (Community Plus).

By law, the State of Florida requires you to get a permit for most projects.

This process is an overview of the step(s) involved in getting a permit from the following City of Homestead Departments

Building
Public Works-Right of Way Permits
Planning & Zoning

Depending on your application, additional permits/permissions from other City departments and/or from other government entities may be required.

Apply for Permit

If you need to submit a Building, Planning & Zoning, or Right of Way permit application, you will need to use the City’s EPL-B.U.I.L.D. platform. This platform is integrated with DigEplan, the City’s Electronic Plans Review platform.

When you’re ready to apply, you will be required to submit an online application in this portal.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you may be instructed to gather additional documents. You can find document forms and resources on the Permitting Forms & Documents. (You can only use the PDF application form for legacy or applications currently not implemented on the EPL-B.U.I.L.D. platform.)

Note: If you are submitting a request for a building permit and your project requires approval from Miami-Dade County’s Department of Environmental Management (DERM), Water and Sewer Department (WAS-D), or payment of Impact Fee(s), you will be required to submit your application to Miami-Dade County via their portal.

Pay Upfront Fees

Depending on your application, you will be required to pay an upfront fee before your application is accepted.

Pay Fees

Note: The payment of upfront fees for the City of Homestead Development Services Department does not include the upfront fees assessed by Miami-Dade County external agencies (DERM, WAS-D, Impact Fees). All upfront fees assessed by the above agencies shall be paid separately once a Miami Dade County Project Number (M#) has been issued.

Name & Prepare Your Files Properly

You will be required to collect certain documentation, depending on the permit type. You can view the checklists for a variety of permits on the Permitting Forms & Checklists page.

The City of Homestead allow multi-page uploads. Plans however, must be grouped according to disciplines. If your application involves Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Architectural, or Civil scopes of work, you must upload plan sheets in accordance with the applicable disciplines. Additionally, you must follow a standard naming convention before you can upload it to our system (See Standard Naming Convention below).

View Instructions for Naming Convention.

Note: Your application will not be accepted if the naming convention is not followed.

If any of your drawings or documents need to be "signed and sealed," you will need to do so digitally.

Digitally Sign & Seal Documents

Submit Drawings & Documents

The City of Homestead allows the upload of drawings and documents electronically, using the City’s Electronic Permitting & Licensing -B.U.I.L.D portal. You will be required to upload drawings and documents once you arrive at the “Attachment” screen in the online application submission process. You will be prompted to also upload a copy of the signed and notarized permit application for your application to be accepted by the City of Homestead.

For drawings & plans to be approved, the City of Homestead adds a seal (or stamp) to the upper-right corner of each page within the plan. (This does not refer to text documents such as LOI, applications, notification letters, etc).

Please ensure that you leave the upper-right corner blank (empty), per the below sizes:

Applications may be notarized using a Remote Online Notary and an electronic signature. Although we do not endorse any vendor, here we list four companies that provide this service.

Scanned notarized signatures are accepted.

Note: If you have a legacy project (a legacy project in the City of Homestead is defined as an application that was submitted via email the City of Homestead with a link to drawings and documents. As a reminder, there are 27 processes included in Phase 1 that pertains to the Development Services Department. See the list of processes here.

Wait for Application Acceptance

Once your drawings and documents have been received by the City of Homestead, a Permitting Clerk will review your submittals for acceptance.

Note: We will notify you via e-mail if there is a problem with your submission.

Respond to Review

Once your application has been accepted, it will undergo review, and we will send you comments back.

Note: For a Building permit application, it usually takes 14 business days for the first cycle of review to be completed.

Submit Revised Drawings & Documents

If corrections are required, you will receive an email from eplnotifications@homesteadfl.gov with instructions regarding corrected sheets for additional reviews and approvals.

You will need to update the entire PDF discipline set that the reviewers applied a "Changemark" on, or requested changes to in the comment checklist.

Note: Re-submittals may occur multiple times for a single application to ensure that the plans and documents as submitted are compliant with Florida Statute and City Ordinance.

Await Approval & Finalize

Once your plans have been approved by all disciplines. You will be required to complete several finalization steps, which may include “Adding/Updating Contractor” or pay any outstanding fees that may be applicable.

Pay Permit Fees

You will be notified of the review and/or permit fees owed via email.

To pay your permit fees, visit the EPL-B.U.I.L.D portal.

Permit Issuance

All Building Permits will be issued once the required fees have been paid to the City of Homestead. Be sure to verify if your project has Sub-Permits or requires Shop Drawings. A subcontractor will be required to verify their qualification for the proposed scope of work before the City issues a sub-permit to a subcontractor.

Important Note: A Master Permit Application must be issued for a sub permit to be issued by the City of Homestead.

Download Approved Plans & Documents

After you have paid your fees, we will e-mail you to let you know your final plans are available for download. You will need to log-in to E.P.L. B.U.I.L.D. and download your plans.

Reminder: A copy of the approved and stamped set of plans must be available at the project site.

Apply for Sub-Permits if Necessary

A sub-permit, such as electrical, mechanical, or plumbing, may be required for specific aspects of a building project that is already in progress under a master permit.

The City of Homestead reviewer will identify the sub-permits that are required for a given project. A subcontractor will be required to verify their qualification to perform the defined scope of work, submit a subsequent signed and notarized application, and pay the applicable fees.

Inspections

Inspections are required throughout the progress of the project. A permittee will be able to request an inspection online or via telephone. Click here to request an inspection online. Inspections To request an inspection via phone, you may contact us at 305-224-4590 for assistance.

Request a Certificate of Occupancy/Certificate of Completion/Temporary CO/CC

Have you recently finished a new construction project or alterations to your home or workspace? The City of Homesteadi issues a CO/CC to certify that a building (or renovation project) has been completed in compliance with applicable code(s).

A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is issued for new construction or change of use (i.e. from a school to a restaurant), while a Certificate of Completion (CC) is needed for remodels, renovations and shell buildings.

Note: Your permit card will indicate whether a CO or CC is required. This request may require additional documents for the request to be considered.