In an effort to keep BID members informed that are interested in obtaining building permits, when applicable, below is the information from Miami Dade’s County website regarding Sewer Capacity Certifications, please click on link below for all pertaining information.
Form: sewer-allocation form 2012
Sewer Capacity Certification (Allocation Letter)
Federal regulations require certain permit applicants to obtain a Sewer Capacity Certification letter before being issued a building permit. This letter certifies that the sewer system can handle the demands that your permit will require. Due to an overloaded sewer system, there might not be enough capacity to handle your request. But you can apply for and obtain certification before you submit building plans, saving you time and money.
Any construction or change of use that will cause an increase in wastewater discharge to a sewer will need a certification letter. This includes such things as changing a single-family house to a duplex, adding extra seats to a restaurant, adding a new doctor to a practice, or building a new house. If you are unsure, call the Environmental Resources Management Wastewater Section at 305-372-6899.
How to Apply
The Sewer Capacity Certification Letter 
is part of the Plan Review Process and is issued if an increase of sanitary sewer flow is determined at the time of review. Prior to starting work, verification from the utilities serving the property and the proper building permit from Miami-Dade county is required.
Upon submitting your application, you will be asked to sign a Sewer Service Connection Affidavit stating that you are aware of and agree to the current building permit regulations. Please read this information carefully, as it affects the amount of time you can hold on to your allocation, both before and during the permitting process. Approval of your application will take approximately three to five days.
Warning: You will have 90 days from the time the allocation is awarded to submit your building plans to the appropriate building and zoning office. If you do not meet this deadline, your allocation will be reabsorbed by the system and you will have to apply again and a fee will be applied.
Fees
The initial sewer certification fee is a flat fee and is active for 90 days or until the plans are submitted to the Miami-Dade County. Once the sewer certification expires, a recertification fee will be required to proceed with the proposed project. The recertification fee is based on the calculated flow of the project per day. Please see the Fee Schedule .
- Amounts in excess of $20 must be paid by check or money order. In most cases, fees for the C.U. are based on the square footage of the area to be occupied plus a $40 fee and a 6% concurrency fee.
- The base fee is assessed at a rate of three cents per square foot. There is a minimum of $108 and a maximum of $600.
- The 6% concurrency fee is not applicable for transfers of C.U.s to new business owners or for C.U.s issued based on a building permit.
- A $30 fee is charged for each inspection required, except fire inspections.
Expiration
The Sewer Capacity Certification letter is valid for 90 days. This means the applicant has 90 days to present this letter to the Building Department. If the letter expires, a re-certification letter will be required and a fee of $35 for every 350 gpd (one dwelling unit) will be applied or the letter will be null and void. The letter will active as long as the building permit is active.
If your project was issued a Sanitary Sewer Capacity Certification and your construction permit is allowed to expire, the Sanitary Sewer Allocation for the project will also expire at the same time. For additional information, call Environmental Resources Management’s Water & Wastewater Section at 786-315-2800 or email PSO@miamidade.gov
For more information
Please call Oscar Aguirre at 786-315-2800 or Frank Lezcano at 305-372-6502.
Department presentation
The Department on October 12, 2012, conducted a presentation for design professionals on Sanitary Sewer System Capacity Certification. For more information, call 786-315-2800.
Link below to Miami Dade Website
http://www.miamidade.gov/development/permits/sewer-capacity.asp
