Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Miami-Dade or Broward?
Short answer
Yes. Replacing a garage door in Miami-Dade or Broward requires a building permit from your city or the county, and the new door must have a current Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval for the High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Repairs such as springs, cables, rollers and openers generally don't need a permit. New doors from SolvTek are permitted through our general contractor partner, and the permit is part of your written quote.
Which garage door jobs need a permit?
| Job | Permit usually needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing the whole garage door | Yes | Structural opening in the HVHZ; the new door must be an approved product |
| Replacing several sections or the door’s reinforcement | Ask your city | Can change what the door was approved as |
| Adding a hurricane bracing kit | Depends on the city and the kit | Some cities treat it as a retrofit; we check before scheduling |
| Springs, cables, drums, rollers, hinges | No, generally | Like-for-like repair parts |
| Opener repair or a plug-in opener replacement | No, generally | Unless new wiring or an outlet is added |
| Off-track reset, sensor realignment, tune-up | No | Adjustment and maintenance |
When in doubt, the building department for your address has the final word. In Miami-Dade that is your city if you live in one (Hialeah, Doral, Miami Lakes and so on) or the county for unincorporated areas like Kendall and Westchester. In Broward, most cities run their own building departments, and the county’s office handles unincorporated areas.
Why is the rule stricter here than in the rest of Florida?
Miami-Dade and Broward are the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) in the Florida Building Code. In the HVHZ, every exterior opening product has to carry an approval for HVHZ use: a Miami-Dade NOA or a Florida Product Approval that says so. The permit is how the city checks that the door you bought is approved for your opening’s size and the wind pressure your home needs, and that it is anchored the way the approval requires. More on that in what a Miami-Dade NOA is.
What goes into a garage door permit application?
Requirements vary by city, but a typical package includes:
- The permit application, signed by the contractor (or the owner-builder)
- A copy of the door’s NOA or Florida Product Approval, with the model and size marked
- A wind-load or design-pressure chart or calculation showing the door meets your home’s requirement
- In Broward, the Broward County Uniform Retrofit Window and Door Schedule, a form building departments there commonly ask for
- A recorded Notice of Commencement if the job is above your city’s value threshold
After installation, an inspector checks the door, the label and the anchoring against the approval. The permit is closed when the inspection passes. Keep the final inspection record with your house papers; insurers and buyers may ask for it.
Does Florida’s HB 803 permit exemption cover garage doors?
A state law that took effect on July 1, 2026 (HB 803) lets owners skip permits for some lower-cost work on single-family homes. Cities applying it, such as Pinecrest, list windows and doors among the structural work that still needs a permit. Treat a replacement as a permitted job unless your building department tells you in writing that it isn’t.
How does the permit work on a SolvTek door?
Every new door we install is permitted through our general contractor partner. The permit is part of the written quote, and your quote shows the door’s NOA number and expiry date. You don’t stand in line or deal with plan review. If you only want to strengthen your current door, see hurricane bracing vs a new impact door.
How do I start?
Call (561) 724-0724 or WhatsApp us a photo of your door and your city. We set up a visit to measure and give you a written quote with the permit included. You can also request a quote online or read about our new garage doors.