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Written by Genevieve Bowen on February 25, 2026
With thousands of building permits waiting in the queue each year, Miami officials are exploring a virtual inspection system to help homeowners and businesses get projects approved faster.
Miami City Commissioners are to consider today (2/26) a proposal to allow simple, low-risk permits to be inspected remotely, directing the city manager to outline how such a system might operate. If approved, the change could reduce waiting times, free up inspectors for more complex projects, and make the permitting process more convenient for residents and contractors.
Florida began allowing virtual building inspections in 2021, following passage of a law that gave local building departments the ability to use video or other electronic tools to conduct inspections without being physically present, in an effort to reduce delays. Miami Commissioner Rolando Escalona is sponsoring the resolution that draws on this authority to allow virtual inspections for certain low-risk projects, while high-risk structural work would still require on-site evaluation.
Across South Florida, municipalities have been experimenting with similar approaches. Broward and Miami-Dade counties and Tampa have all started using remote inspections for routine permits such as HVAC replacements, water heaters and minor electrical work, showing how digital tools can help get projects done faster.
In Miami, the scale of building activity highlights the potential impact, with the city receiving nearly 26,000 building permit applications and more than 168,000 inspection and re-inspection requests during the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Under the directive, Miami’s city manager would work with the building department and other offices to develop a virtual inspection system for low-risk permits that can be safely inspected via video. Officials would report back to the commission in 60 days with recommendations on the next steps to get the system up and running.
Other Florida jurisdictions offer a look at how such a system could function. Last August, Broward County repealed restrictions on remote inspections, opening the door for private providers to conduct permit-related inspections virtually. Tampa launched its virtual inspection program in October 2025, using VuSpex, which allows live video inspections or offline photo submissions for eligible permits.
Miami-Dade also offers remote inspections for select low-risk projects, connecting inspectors with homeowners and licensed contractors in real time via apps like WhatsApp or Microsoft Teams.
By following the path of its regional peers, Miami could modernize its permitting process, reduce backlogs and simplify inspections for residents and contractors. If the commission directs the city manager to move forward this week, low-risk permits could begin moving online later this spring, while high-risk structural work would still require on-site evaluation.