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Guide · Short answer

Stop Work Order in Miami:
what it means and how to lift it

A Stop Work Order is a written order from the building official that halts work being done contrary to the code or in a dangerous way. Under the Florida Building Code, once it is issued the cited work must stop immediately, and the order must state the reason and the conditions under which work may resume.

To lift it you meet those conditions —usually pulling the missing permit or correcting what the inspector flagged— and pass review. Continuing to work after being served exposes you to penalties, except for work you are directed to do to remove the violation.

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Guide

Step by step

  1. Stop the workFrom the moment you are served, the cited work must stop. Continuing brings penalties.
  2. Read the reason and conditionsThe order must state why it was issued and what is needed to resume. That is your work plan.
  3. Pull the permit or correctIf it was for work without a permit, apply for it (with plans if needed) and pay the additional fee; if it was unsafe or non-compliant work, correct it.
  4. InspectionThe inspector verifies the conditions were met and may require parts of the work to be uncovered.
  5. Resume with authorizationResume when the building official authorizes it.

What the official sources say

  • The building official may issue a Stop Work Order when work is performed contrary to the code or in a dangerous or unsafe manner (section 115.1). [1]
  • The order is in writing, given to the owner, the owner's agent or the person doing the work; the cited work must cease immediately, and the order must state the reason and the conditions to resume (section 115.2). [1]
  • Continuing work after being served, except what is needed to remove the violation, is subject to penalties prescribed by law (section 115.3). [1]
  • Starting work before the permit carries an additional fee (section 109.4); in Miami-Dade, with a Notice of Violation, it is 100% extra. [2]
  • Each of Miami-Dade's 35 municipalities has its own building official; the County handles unincorporated areas. [3]

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Frequently asked questions

Stop Work Order in Miami

Can I finish what I was doing?
No. Only the work you are directed to do to correct the violation or unsafe condition is allowed. Everything else must wait.
How long does it take to lift?
It depends on what the order requires and the municipality: a simple correction is faster than needing plans and a permit. If plans are needed, they usually take 2 to 4 weeks, and the city often takes up to ~30 days to review.
Who issues the Stop Work Order?
The building official of the jurisdiction where the job is: the city (for example, Hialeah) or the County in unincorporated areas.

Official sources

Checked on October 29, 2026. Rules change: always confirm with your city or the County. This guide is informational and is not legal advice.

  1. Florida Building Code 2023 (8th ed.), Building, Chapter 1
  2. Miami-Dade County · Homeowners General Permit Information
  3. Miami-Dade County · County Municipal Approval

Other guides

Legalize unpermitted workGuide →Code violation in Miami-DadeGuide →Certificate of Use in Hialeah & MiamiGuide →Close open permits before sellingGuide →Permits in HialeahGuide →
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