City of Miami Certificate of Use (CU), including annual Fire Safety Permit: Miami restaurant guide

City of Miami — Business Licensing / Fire / Code Compliance

What it is

Confirms your restaurant use is legal at this address and has passed City Code Compliance, City Fire and County DERM inspections. Every business in the City needs one, and the BTR depends on it.

When a restaurant needs it

After construction is complete (CO/CC issued) and the business is fully set up, before opening.

How to apply

Create a MiamiBiz Intake account, register the business, submit the CU application and pay the $50 fee, then pay the inspection invoice and pass all inspections within 90 working days.

Documents you’ll need

Business name as registered on Sunbiz
Exact address with suite and space size
CO or CC for new or renovated space
Most recent floor plan
Lease
Occupant Load Certificate if 50+ occupants
Contract with a City-franchised commercial waste hauler

Fee

$50 non-refundable application fee (credited if the application advances), plus a second invoice that includes Fire and Code Enforcement inspection fees. Inspections by non-City agencies such as DERM are billed separately.

Processing time

City responds within 5 business days; all inspections must be completed within 90 working days of the application start.

Renewal

Annually by September 30. The renewal includes the Fire Safety Permit renewal.

Who files

The business owner or an authorized agent/expediter files on MiamiBiz.

Good to know

Apply only when you are truly ready. Inspectors expect an operational business, a hauler contract, an on-site contact and floor plans, and the 90-working-day clock starts at application.

Official source

City of Miami — get a Certificate of Use · Request CU inspections

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.