This section of the 1935-miami-dade-building-code outlines administrative procedures, enforcement mechanisms, and technical definitions for building regulation in City of Miami, Florida.
Fees and Permits
The document lists permit fees based on building group and construction type, ranging from 60 per cubic foot (p. 25). Fees are doubled if work begins without a permit, though this does not exempt the violator from other penalties (p. 25). The Building Inspector must maintain permanent accounts of all fees collected (p. 25).
Inspection Protocol
Sec. 204 mandates inspections at various intervals, including Foundation, Frame, Stucco, and Final inspections (p. 26). Work cannot proceed beyond each inspection point without written approval from the Building Inspector (p. 26). For Type I buildings or complex designs, a Registered Inspector must be employed, bonded for $5,000, and responsible for reporting on material strength and structural safety (p. 27). Duties of the Registered Inspector terminate only upon issuance of a Certificate of Compliance (p. 28).
Certificates and Occupancy
No building may be occupied without a Certificate of Occupancy, which specifies allowable uses and floor loads (p. 28). Changes in occupancy require a new certificate and compliance with the code for the new use (p. 28). Permits expire if work is not commenced within six months or is suspended for six months (p. 35).
Enforcement and Penalties
Sec. 301 grants the Building Inspector the power of a Police Officer to enforce the code (p. 29). The Inspector can order work to stop, vacate unsafe buildings, or condemn structures that are dangerous or damaged by more than 50% of their value (p. 29). Owners have 48 hours to commence repairs after notice; failure to comply allows the City to tear down or make safe the structure at the owner’s expense, which becomes a lien on the property (p. 30). Specific provisions exist for termite extermination within 60 days of notice (p. 31).
Alternate Materials and Appeals
Sec. 302 allows for the use of alternate materials if approved by the Building Inspector based on proof of sufficiency (p. 31). Appeals against refusal of permits or alternate materials can be made to the Board of Examiners and Appeals, consisting of an Architect, Builder, and Structural Engineer (p. 32). The Board can interpret the code to prevent manifest injustice (p. 32).
Definitions
Part II (Sec. 401) defines key terms including:
- Building: Any structure for support, shelter, or enclosure (p. 36).
- Occupancy: The purpose for which a building is used (p. 38).
- Fire Wall: A masonry or reinforced concrete wall extending from foundation to above the roof to prevent fire spread (p. 40).
- Grade: The elevation of the sidewalk or average ground level adjacent to the building (p. 37).
Occupancy Classification
Part III classifies buildings into Groups A through J based on use (p. 41). Types of construction are defined as Type I (Fire-Resistive) through Type V (Wood Frame) (p. 41). Mixed occupancies require “Fire Separations” (Absolute, Special, or Ordinary) to segregate different groups (p. 42). A detailed matrix specifies the required separation levels between different occupancy groups, such as Absolute separation for major theatres against most other groups (p. 44).
Related Concepts
- building-inspection-protocol
- fire-separation-standards
- code-enforcement-mechanisms
- occupancy-classification
- building-permit-process
- fire-zones