City unveils permitting reforms and enterprise permitting plan; BRDs due in spring
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Summary
City planning, building and public‑works staff presented a multi‑department effort to speed permitting, clarify entitlements and build a new enterprise permitting system; business‑requirements documents are due in April and a full system rollout is expected over the next 2–3 years.
City of Miami staff on Oct. 23 outlined a multi‑department initiative to speed up permitting, reduce entitlement processing time and build a single enterprise permitting platform to replace the current suite of systems.
The plan assembles changes in three tracks: short‑term procedural improvements to entitlement and code interpretation, expanded customer services for homeowners and small businesses, and a two‑to‑three‑year technical project to replace or augment the city’s permitting software.
Key takeaways: - Planning reforms: The Planning Department has led a cross‑department working group that has already held six workshops and started drafting code amendments to increase “by‑right” opportunities, clarify criteria for entitlements, and reduce review uncertainty. Proposed changes include bringing micro‑dwelling standards and certain educational and adult‑day uses by‑right where appropriate, and clarifying standards to reduce the need for discretionary review. - Building and customer service: The Building Department has created a homeowners assistance program and a small‑business permit clinic with a presence on the first floor of the MRC (municipal permitting center). The department implemented Qflow appointment scheduling, homeowners express review for simple permits (roofing, windows, doors), expanded in‑person assistance kiosks and increased training for permit reviewers. - Enterprise permitting software: The administration retained consultants to produce business‑requirements documents (BRDs) for a single enterprise permitting and licensing system. Staff expect the BRDs to be complete in April 2026; a full procurement and deployment will follow. The manager’s office estimated a realistic implementation timeline of roughly two to three years for full migration and integration. - Technology and AI: Staff said they are evaluating modern tools, including AI‑assisted plan‑review tools that can pre‑scan drawings and flag likely code issues, and plan to assess those technologies as part of the enterprise solution.
Why it matters: Applicants and contractors have repeatedly told the city that unclear entitlement rules and fragmented software create long waits and uncertainty. The multi‑track approach aims to reduce review cycles, provide clearer “by‑right” paths, give applicants access to live help and, ultimately, provide a single data platform for permits, inspections and code compliance.
Next steps: Staff will continue code amendment work in a rolling program, return to the commission with ordinance language for changes that require legislative action, finalize BRDs in April and seek procurement authority for a new enterprise permitting solution. Departments also plan outreach sessions and permit clinics in council districts to expand the homeowner assistance program.