A practical guide to architectural, structural, civil and engineering plans for Miami-Dade permit submittals.

What “professional” means in a permit set

For permit work, a professional plan is a drawing or document authenticated by the Florida-licensed architect, engineer, surveyor or other design professional responsible for that scope. The exact professional depends on the work being designed. Architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical and plumbing documents can each have different responsibility and licensing requirements.

In Miami-Dade’s electronic process, professional plans submitted for review generally need valid digital signatures and seals. A scanned image of a wet signature is not the same thing as a valid digital signature for an electronic submittal. The goal is to let the reviewer verify both the professional’s identity and that the file has not been altered after signing.

Which plan disciplines might your project need

There is no single “professional plan package” that fits every project. A residential addition may need architectural and structural plans, while a commercial build-out can require architectural drawings plus structural and MEP engineering. Site work can add civil, paving, drainage or utility drawings.

The right starting point is the scope of work: what is being built, removed, relocated or changed, and which systems are affected. That scope determines the disciplines that should appear in the permit set.

  • Architectural plans: floor plans, life-safety information, elevations, sections, details and code information as applicable.
  • Structural plans and calculations: framing, foundations, openings, reinforcement and other structural work.
  • Civil/site plans: grading, drainage, paving, utilities, site geometry and related site improvements when applicable.
  • MEP engineering: mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings and calculations when the scope requires them.

Why digital signing problems delay otherwise complete plans

A plan can be technically correct and still fail intake if the file does not meet the electronic signature requirements. Common problems include uploading a scan instead of a digitally signed original PDF, modifying the document after it was signed, using an expired certificate or combining files in a way that invalidates the signature.

That is why permit preparation should include a final digital-file check before upload—not just a design review. The signed file that goes to the jurisdiction should be the final file intended for review.

How MIA Express approaches the package

We start by identifying the permit scope and the disciplines likely to be reviewed. We then coordinate permit-ready drawings and the appropriate Florida-licensed design professionals for signatures and seals, and can continue with permit processing after the documents are ready.

For the fastest initial assessment, send the property address, a short description of the proposed work, existing plans or surveys if available, and any comments already issued by the jurisdiction.

Practical note: Requirements are project- and jurisdiction-specific. A reviewer may request additional documents even when the initial package appears complete.

Official resources

Permit requirements change. For current forms, portal instructions and agency-specific rules, verify the project against the applicable government source:

This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Permit requirements vary by property, scope, jurisdiction and reviewer. Professional plans are prepared by the appropriately licensed Florida design professional responsible for the work.