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Garage conversions in Miami

Turn the garage into a permitted unit with a kitchen, bathroom and its own door. In South Florida, the height of the garage floor often decides whether the plan works.

Check my lot Garage slabs and flood rules

Can I turn my garage into an ADU in Miami?

Often, yes. As of October 2026, the Miami-Dade County ADU page lists garage space among the areas that can become an ADU in unincorporated areas, and county coverage of the 2022 ordinance named garage conversions as allowed. The City of Miami and other cities apply their own codes, so we confirm first.

Why does the garage floor height matter?

Garages are often built lower than the house. In a FEMA flood zone, space below the required elevation can generally be used only for parking, access or storage. If your garage slab sits below the base flood elevation plus one foot, the new living floor usually has to be raised, which takes ceiling height and adds cost. We take a level reading and compare it to your flood zone data before design.

What changes when a garage becomes a home?

The garage door opening is closed in with a wall, a window or an entry door rated for hurricane impact or protected by shutters.
New windows and doors need product approval for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Walls and the roof deck get insulation to meet the Florida energy code.
A dedicated air conditioner, often a ductless mini-split, handles cooling and humidity.
Plumbing for a kitchen and bathroom, tied into sewer or a septic system that can take the load.
An electrical load check; many houses need a panel upgrade or subpanel.
Fire separation where the unit shares a wall with the main house.

Where do the cars go?

Losing a garage space can matter for zoning. The county page allows one additional space for the ADU, on the lot or in the adjacent swale. We check how many spaces your lot needs after the conversion and whether the driveway can hold them.

How much does a garage conversion cost?

One 2026 Florida cost guide puts garage conversions statewide at about $60,000 to $145,000, as of October 2026. Raising the floor or adding a new sewer line can move a Miami project past that range. See the Miami cost guide.

When is a garage conversion the wrong choice?

It depends on the structure and the elevation. A garage with a low slab in a flood zone, cracked block walls or a roof that would need full replacement to meet wind code may cost nearly as much as building new. We inspect, then tell you which path costs less.

Check what your lot allows

Tell us about the garage. We check the slab height against your flood zone first.