Short answer: The City of Miami authorized 3,255 units in buildings of five or more units and 154 one-unit homes from January to August 2026, according to Census Bureau permit data, after 6,863 large-building units in all of 2025. Most of those units are in buildings of five or more units; the Miami DDA counts 30+ construction projects downtown. New buildings follow the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), and are permitted through the City Building Department at the Miami Riverside Center.
Last verified: October 19, 2026, against the sources listed at the end of this page.
How much new housing is the City of Miami permitting in 2026?
From January to August 2026 the City of Miami authorized 154 one-unit homes and 3,255 units in 35 buildings of five or more units (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, 2026 year to date).
The one-unit count through eight months of 2026 already passes the 152 one-unit homes Miami permitted in all of 2025 (Census Bureau, 2025 place file). The large-building count is running behind 2025, which ended at 6,863 units in 49 buildings. Between the July and August 2026 year to date files, Miami's five-plus count rose from 2,439 units to 3,255 units (Census Bureau, July 2026 year to date; August).
Two cautions for reading the Miami figures. The survey counts new privately owned housing units authorized by building permits, not units started or finished, and the Census Bureau revises year to date estimates each month to reflect late reports and corrections (Census Bureau, About the Building Permits Survey). The Miami 2026 totals can therefore still move after this check.
How has the Miami permit pipeline changed since 2023?
Miami permits for buildings of five or more units grew every year from 2023 to 2025, from 5,179 units to 5,713 and then 6,863 (Census Bureau 2023; 2024; 2025).
| Period | One-unit homes | 2-unit buildings (units) | Buildings of 5+ units | Units in 5+ buildings | Reported value, 5+ units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 113 | 124 | 36 | 5,179 | $1,376,834,445 |
| 2024 | 145 | 146 | 46 | 5,713 | $2,487,506,723 |
| 2025 | 152 | 182 | 49 | 6,863 | $2,356,216,706 |
| 2026, January to August | 154 | 136 | 35 | 3,255 | $1,418,274,336 |
The 2024 Miami valuation for large buildings, $2.49 billion, was higher than the 2025 figure of $2.36 billion even though 2025 had more units (Census Bureau; Census Bureau). Units in two-unit buildings went from 124 in 2023 to 146 in 2024 and 182 in 2025.
Where is new construction concentrated in downtown Miami?
The Miami Downtown Development Authority counts 30+ construction projects, 200+ residential buildings and 8,100+ hotel rooms in Greater Downtown Miami (Miami DDA, Downtown Details, Data and Demographics).
Those are the DDA's own figures. The authority also says more than 101,000 people now live in Downtown Miami, citing its 2025 Demographics Report, and offers an Interactive 3D Development Pipeline Map for individual projects (Miami DDA). The same DDA page gives 41,000 residents in 2012 and describes the change to more than 101,000 as an increase of nearly 68%; the page prints the two head counts and the percentage side by side without reconciling them.
The DDA's planning work frames where downtown Miami growth goes next: its site lists the 2025 Downtown Miami Master Plan, a 2050 Downtown Miami Master Plan Update with a central business district focus, Baywalk and Riverwalk completion, Biscayne Green and the Downtown Development of Regional Impact (Miami DDA). The authority's office is at 201 S Biscayne Blvd #2600, Miami, FL 33131, phone (305) 579-6675.
For the city as a whole, the Census Bureau's permit files count 49 Miami buildings of five or more units authorized in 2025 (Census Bureau). The DDA's Interactive 3D Development Pipeline Map shows downtown projects one by one (Miami DDA).
Which building code applies to a new Miami building in 2026?
New construction in Miami is built to the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), whose effective date was December 31, 2023 (Florida Building Commission).
The City of Miami Building Department lists the codes applicable in Florida since December 31, 2023: the Florida Building Code volumes for accessibility, building, energy conservation, existing building, fuel gas, mechanical, plumbing and residential, all 8th Edition (2023), the Florida Fire Prevention Code 8th Edition and the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) 2020 Edition (City of Miami Building Department).
The Florida Building Commission site also posts materials related to the 2026 Update, including tracking charts, which Miami project teams can check before permit submittal (Florida Building Commission). The commission's Contact Us line lists 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee FL 32399, phone 850-487-1824 (Florida Building Commission).
How does a new construction project get permitted and occupied in Miami?
A Miami project applies for building permits through the city's iBuild portal and uploads plans through ePlan/ProjectDox, and on completion the city issues a Certificate of Occupancy for new construction (City of Miami Building Department).
Large projects have two extra tools. The City of Miami may let certain high-rise threshold building projects move through permitting in phases, so early construction can begin while later portions are still in review, and its Concierge Program supports large commercial or complex developments, affordable housing projects, City-led initiatives and other high-profile projects that qualify for Special Area Plans, reachable at 305-416-1127 (City of Miami Building Department).
Other Miami rules worth knowing early: permit expediters must now register with the Building Department, a new construction project that removes, relocates or trims a tree needs a new construction tree permit from Environmental Resources at (786) 570-2934, and under Florida law plan reviews and inspections may be done by qualified, state-licensed private providers (City of Miami Building Department). A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy is available for early occupancy of a project still under minor construction, and remodels, renovations and shell buildings receive a Certificate of Completion instead of a CO (City of Miami).
The Building Department page explains that a local government may provide a schedule of reasonable inspection fees that must be used solely for enforcing the Florida Building Code, and under Florida Statute 553.80 a government with a fee schedule must post a building permit and inspection utilization report by December 31 each year; the City of Miami posts its report on the Building Department page, built on its October 1 to September 30 fiscal year (City of Miami Building Department).
The Miami Building Department sits at the Miami Riverside Center, 444 SW 2nd Ave, 4th floor, Miami 33130, phone (305) 416-1100, open Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with all building functions closing to the public at 3:30 PM (City of Miami Building Department). Last verified: October 18, 2026, against the Census Bureau's 2023 to August 2026 Miami permit files, the City of Miami Building Department page, the Florida Building Commission home page and the Miami DDA data page.
Frequently asked questions
How many new homes is Miami building in 2026?
Census Bureau permit data show the City of Miami authorized 154 one-unit homes and 3,255 units in buildings of five or more units from January to August 2026. Permits are authorizations, and year to date figures are revised monthly.
How many construction projects are there in downtown Miami?
The Miami Downtown Development Authority counts 30+ construction projects and 200+ residential buildings in Greater Downtown Miami. Those are the DDA's own figures.
What building code applies to new construction in Miami?
The Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), effective December 31, 2023, along with the Florida Fire Prevention Code 8th Edition and the 2020 National Electrical Code, as listed by the City of Miami Building Department.
Where is the City of Miami Building Department?
At the Miami Riverside Center, 444 SW 2nd Ave, 4th floor, Miami 33130. General information is (305) 416-1100, and public building functions close at 3:30 PM on weekdays.
Can a big Miami project start building before every permit is issued?
Some can. The City of Miami may allow certain high-rise threshold building projects to use phased permitting, starting early construction while later portions are still in review.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, South Region places, year to date through August 2026 https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/South%20Region/so2608y.txt Used for: Miami 2026 January to August permits by structure type
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, South Region places, year to date through July 2026 https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/South%20Region/so2607y.txt Used for: Miami five-plus units through July 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, South Region places, 2025 annual https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/South%20Region/so2025a.txt Used for: Miami 2025 permits
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, South Region places, 2024 annual https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/South%20Region/so2024a.txt Used for: Miami 2024 permits
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, South Region places, 2023 annual https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/South%20Region/so2023a.txt Used for: Miami 2023 permits
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025 annual county file https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/County/co2025a.txt Used for: Miami-Dade County 2025 permits for comparison
- U.S. Census Bureau, About the Building Permits Survey https://www.census.gov/construction/bps/about.html Used for: what the survey counts, year to date revisions
- City of Miami, Building Department https://www.miami.gov/My-Government/Departments/Building Used for: iBuild, ProjectDox, phased permitting, Concierge Program, CO, private providers, tree permit, codes in force, address, phone, hours
- Florida Building Commission, home page https://www.floridabuilding.org/c/default.aspx Used for: 8th Edition effective date, 2026 Update materials, contact line
- Miami Downtown Development Authority, Downtown Details, Data and Demographics https://www.miamidda.com/Business-Development/Data-Research/Downtown-Details-Data-and-Demographics Used for: DDA counts of construction projects, residential buildings, hotel rooms, residents (DDA figures)
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