MIAMI 40 YEAR RECERTIFICATION GUIDE

40 Year Recertification Steps, Requirements, and Applications For All Cities in Miami Dade County

Here at G. Batista Engineering and Construction, we specialize in 40 year recertifications, otherwise known as 40 year inspections of structural and electrical components of your building. If you are reading this BLOG, it’s likely you received a notice and own or manage a property within Miami Dade County. Rest assured, this page will provide you with everything you need about 40 year recertification steps and the required inspection regardless of the city in Miami your property is located.

What Is the 40 Year Recertification Miami Requires?

Miami Dade County enforces 40 year recertifications for buildings that have been in existence for at least 40 years. According to the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources,

“Under Section 8-11(f) of the Miami-Dade County Code, the owner of a building which has been in existence for forty (40) years or longer is required to have the building inspected for the purpose of determining the general structural condition of the building and the general condition of its electrical systems. In accordance with Section 8-11(f), you must submit a written Recertification Report to the Building Official, prepared by a Florida registered professional engineer or architect*, certifying each building or structure is structurally and electrically safe for the specified use for continued occupancy. Each page of the electrical and structural report must be signed and sealed by the engineer or architect. In addition, if there is more than one building on the property, please submit a site plan or copy of a survey showing the location of each building. The building which is the subject of the 40-Year Recertification report must be clearly identified on the site plan or survey submitted.”

Here is a sample letter that Miami Dade issues properties when they turn 40 years of age or every 10 years thereafter.

Here Is a List of the Cities In Miami We Cover In This 40 Year Recertification Guide

Which Properties Are Exempt From the 40 Year Recertification Process in Miami?

The following types of properties are not required to comply with the 40-year recertification process: buildings with occupant load of 10 or less and 2,000 square feet or less, duplexes, and of course, single-family homes.

Want to Know About Previous 40 Year Recertification Miami Cases For a New Property You Own or Manage?

Miami Dade has launched their 40 year recertification portal which allows you to search previous recertification cases dating back from May 1996 to the present. This applies to properties within the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources’ jurisdiction, which covers Miami Dade County. Searches can be performed by various options such as: folio, property address, property owner name, and case number. You can also see all cases by clicking on “View all cases.”

Is Your Building Overdue in Getting a 40 Year Recertification in Miami?

If you missed the deadlines to get a 40 year recertification, you cannot apply or submit any documents online. You must go to the Unsafe Structures section/department, within the Building Department at Miami Dade County:

444 SW 2nd Ave, 4th Floor, Miami 33130 View Map

You should also contact your local city to see if any additional requirements are needed on their side to comply with the building recertification program. (see the directory below for each city in Miami with their respective department that handles 40 year recertifications)

Need More Time For a 40 Year Recertification Miami requires?

You can request an extension, however, it must be received prior to the building recertification due date. There would be a $500 fee if approved. Building managers and property owners who need to request an extension on building recertifications, should send an email to unsafestructure@miamigov.com and include the property address. Once submitted, you should hear back within four weeks. Also, you should check with your city to see if there are any additional requirements from them.

Considering Repairs Prior To An Inspection?

Before doing any repairs, you must follow the proper permitting procedures by visiting Miami’s permitting page which may be under construction depending on when you visit this page. If that’s the case call (305) 416-1177 or email unsafestructures@miamigov.com the city for instructions.

Getting a 40 Year Recertification Inspection in Miami

The 40 year recertification must be done by a licensed professional engineer. Here are some sample inspection forms provided by Miami Dade County as examples. These forms outline the minimum requirement checkpoints that should be included in the 40 year recertification report.

• 4050 ELECTRICAL(PDF, 220KB)
• 4050 STRUCTURAL(PDF, 112KB)
• ILLUMINATION-LETTER(PDF, 175KB)

Once the inspection is completed, a report will be issued by the engineer and will include a cover letter signed, sealed, and dates with their recommended repairs if applicable.

Submitting 40 Year Recertification Reports

Miami Dade county recently launched its electronic portal where the required inspection can be submitted online. Before you do this, read this entire section. They have very specific requirements and naming conventions so your report doesn’t get delayed during the review process. Here are some steps to help you throughout this process.

The recertification report must be in a PDF format and it should be saved using the City of Miami Standard Naming Conventions, which are stated below:

40-S: Structural Report

40-E: Electrical report, which includes the illumination letter, the word “meet” or “not meet” must be checked. If 40-C is for the cover letter. If the electrical report is done by another professional, add another PDF and name it as 40-CE for the electrical cover letter.

40-C: Cover Letter

40-CE: If the professional is an electrical engineer, this is for the separate cover letter.

40-PHO (photos)

Create An Account in iBuild

Miami Dade has created a portal where you can submit your 40 year recertification reports which is the same portal to submit permit applications or repair applications. You will need to create an account and you should use the same email throughout the entire process.

Step 1: Register

Step 2: Start the Application process

• Go to Start application — Select Building Permit Application
• Enter your address and confirm owner/address
• Select Architect/Engineer
• If your building is due for recertification (you will have received a letter about this), you will see an option for “Apply for 40/50 Recertification”. If your building is not due, this option will not show. NOTE: If you’re building is OVERDUE for recertification (years built 1982/1983/1984), you cannot do this process online.
• The system will ask if you want to upload documents, select “YES”. Finish the remaining steps. NOTE: Make sure to use the email of the person who is going to upload the reports/documents throughout the process application. This is who will receive the link for uploading documents – no one else will receive this link.
• Download the invoice and pay the upfront fee (if applicable) in iBuild – payments. NOTE: Your BD number is the same as your process number.

Download the invoice and pay the upfront fee (if applicable) in iBuild – payments. NOTE: Your BD number is the same as your process number. 

Submit Documents

Once these steps are followed you will receive an email from ePlan/ProjectDox instructing you to log in. Your account will be connected with the previous application you submitted. Here are the steps to submit your recertification report.

• Select “Manage Your Plan Review”
• Select the project number/plan number
• There are two folders, select the “documents”
• Click “Applicant Upload Task” or “Applicant resubmit Task” or “Corrections”
• Follow the instruction – upload required documents (the package/report from your engineer or architect). Be sure this is properly named.
• Complete the task – Submit to City of Miami

Please check with your local city using the directory below, before submitting anything online. You should make sure that they are on board with this electronic process and if additional requirements are needed.

Here is a list of Miami cities with contact info for 40 year recertification requirements.

What you need to know about 40 year recertification!

Greg Batista explains what a 40 year certification is and why it is important.

Have questions?