Miami-Dade County is preparing for a new Florida Building Code on December 31. County online filings after 4 p.m. December 30 must use the new edition.

Illustrative house-construction photograph from Miami-Dade’s building-services page. Location and photo date are not given.
Illustrative house-construction photograph from Miami-Dade’s building-services page.

The county’s October 7 notice covers its own building-permit process. If a city handles your permit, check that city’s building department for its filing steps and deadline.

What is changing

The ninth edition replaces Florida’s 2023 code. The International Code Council, which publishes the code, also lists December 31 as the effective date.

The building section uses the 2024 International Building Code as its base, with changes made for Florida. In plain terms, it combines a wider set of building rules with the state’s own requirements. It is the new edition your design team will need to review for plans filed under it.

The change also reaches some approved building products. Miami-Dade’s Product Approval notices describe updates affecting some roofing materials and testing.

Those notices include roof underlayments, the layer beneath the outer roof covering. They also address some hip and ridge shingles, used where roof slopes meet. Ask the contractor or design team to check the exact product and approval used in your plans.

An older application may need attention

The county notice gives a path for some expired applications filed before December 30. Applicants must make a written request within 180 days after the application expires. They must explain that the application has not been abandoned and work has continued in good faith.

Requests go through the county’s Building Official Office. Without that route, the notice says applicants must start a new process, pay the upfront fees and submit new plans. This concerns an expired application, so check the status of your file before making plans around it.

Check the filing plan now

The county also urges users of its Cookie Cutter and Master Model programs to update plans. These programs use repeat model plans.

Bring the notice to the person preparing your plans. Confirm who handles the permit, when the application will be filed and which code edition the plans use. A clear filing plan can help you avoid reaching the deadline with the wrong set of drawings.