Building permits and zoning in Coral Gables

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Coral Gables Development Services Department and its FAQ.

Coral Gables issues its own building permits and writes its own zoning rules, and it is stricter about looks than most Florida cities. The Development Services Department runs the Building, Planning and Zoning, and Code Enforcement divisions and the Board of Architects. All permit applications, plans and signatures are filed electronically.

Who to call

• Permits, inspections, zoning questions: Development Services, 305-460-5245, DevelopmentServices@coralgables.com
• In person: Development Services Center, 427 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Check the wait time before you go
• Apply, search and pay: the Citizen Self Service portal
• Official page: Apply and search for permits

Office hours

Getting a permit

1. Find out what you need. Start with the city’s Permit Requirements guide (PDF), which lists each permit type and its documents.
2. Prepare files to the city’s Electronic Submittal Guide.
3. Apply and pay in the Citizen Self Service portal. Most permits enter review two to three business days after all documents are uploaded.
4. Schedule inspections in the same portal. The city’s inspection tracker shows where your inspector is that day. Cancel by calling 305-460-5245.

Forms for every division are on the applications and forms page.

Same Day Permit Program

Qualifying residential applications filed online are enrolled automatically, with no extra form. If the initial fees are paid before 8 a.m., the permit is reviewed that day; later applications are reviewed the next business day.

• Eligible: roofing, doors and windows, exterior painting, asphalt driveways and certain interior remodels, including kitchens and bathrooms.
• Not eligible: historic properties or anything in a historic district, private-provider projects, work needing structural or mechanical review, sub-permits under a master permit, and kitchen or bath work with HVAC or vented range hoods.

Construction hours

The city’s construction hours:

• Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday: interior work, commercial or residential, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exterior work in residential areas, or within 100 feet of them, is allowed 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. only for owner-builders, owners doing work that needs no permit, and pressure cleaning.
• Sunday and city holidays (including Dec. 24): no construction.

Anyone can ask to work outside those hours through the city’s extended construction request. Permits must be posted and plans kept on site, and sidewalks and swales must stay clear.

Zoning: look up your property

The city’s zoning platform, built with Gridics, has three tools:

• Parcel Zoning Check for zoning and property data on one lot
• An interactive Zoning Map with districts, overlays and land use
• The full Zoning Code, updated as changes are adopted

The boards that decide

Agendas and dates are posted on the city’s Legistar meeting calendar. For projects near you, see Stay informed for projects in your area and the list of private development projects.

The Board of Architects publishes pre-approved paint colors and asks for a tree survey and tree protection plan with demolition and design submittals.

Older buildings: recertification

Under the Miami-Dade County Code, buildings 30 years old or more, other than single-family homes, duplexes and minor structures, must be inspected for structural and electrical safety. The city mails notices and posts each year’s list on its building recertification page. After a building passes, it recertifies every 10 years. The report review fee is $500 plus filing fees.

What this means for you

• Everything is filed online; the counter at 427 Biltmore Way closes at 2:30 p.m.
• Small home jobs may qualify for same-day review if you pay before 8 a.m.
• Exterior changes often need the Board of Architects, which meets weekly.
• No contractor work outside on Saturday in residential areas, and none at all on Sunday.

More: road construction and closures and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I get a building permit in Coral Gables?

Apply online through the city’s Citizen Self Service portal. The Development Services Center at 427 Biltmore Way answers permit questions at the counter from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays, or at 305-460-5245.

Can I get a same-day permit in Coral Gables?

Qualifying residential work such as roofing, doors and windows, exterior painting, asphalt driveways and some kitchen and bath remodels is enrolled automatically. Applications with fees paid before 8 a.m. are reviewed that day.

What are the construction hours in Coral Gables?

7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. On Saturday, interior work is allowed 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but contractor exterior work is not allowed in residential areas. No construction on Sundays or city holidays.

How do I find the zoning for my property in Coral Gables?

Use the city’s Parcel Zoning Check or interactive Zoning Map, built with Gridics, or call Planning and Zoning at 305-460-5245.

Do I need Board of Architects approval in Coral Gables?

Many exterior projects do. The Board of Architects reviews designs against the city’s design standards and meets every Thursday morning at 427 Biltmore Way.