Design Firm Applying for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Blueprint Pre-Approval

Miami Dade County is facilitating the ADU Blueprint website as a place where design firms can showcase their ADU design options for property owners to browse and purchase. Using a pre-approved ADU design can make the permitting process quicker. Homeowners can browse the gallery, choose their preferred designs, complete the permitting packet with the selected design firm, and submit for permitting.

Under the ADU Blueprint program, plans are designed by private design firms adhering to the County ordinance. Plans are then submitted by the design firm as a master model design for pre-approval based on the current building codes and once approved, they can be permitted repeatedly on single family home sites across unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

Note: Miami-Dade County does not provide any endorsement or recommendation of any particular design, architect or other design professional, or firm. Rather, pre-approved designs are provided for informational purposes only, and members of the public will be able to browse the gallery and, if they wish, choose a design and connect with the designer to proceed with necessary further steps (e.g., site planning) for a complete permit application.

To obtain pre-approval for your design, submit the following:
- A completed permit application for each model. The permit type on the application should be indicated as "CCUT" (cookie cutter not for permit) and the description of work stating “ADU Design”.
- A completed Hold Harmless ADU Pre-approved Form available here.
- You can submit your architectural drawings in one of two ways: If you’re delivering paper plans in person at the Permitting and Inspection Center, make sure they’re signed and sealed by a Florida licensed architect or engineer. Alternatively, you can submit all documents electronically through our Plan Submission Portal, provided they are electronically signed and sealed.
Following the submittal of all required documents, the plans will be distributed to all required review agencies:
- Building (Plumbing, Mechanical/Energy, Building, Electrical, Structural)
- Environmental
- Planning
- Public Works
- Zoning
Once all final approvals are obtained, you will be required to pay the appropriate permit fees and will be issued a permit that will be utilized as a reference for the pre-approved design. You will use this permit number to obtain repeated future permits based on this master model pre-approval. Please note this is not an actual permit that can be utilized for construction. This is only a permit reflecting pre-approval of the ADU design.
Once a firm’s ADU is pre-approved, the design firm must provide the information for the gallery website. This can include renderings of the ADU, simplified floor plans, a description of the features included in the design, and design firm contact information. The design firm must submit an executed copy of the hold harmless form available here. Fees will not be included within the gallery listing.