Certificate of Use

All businesses operating in the City of Sunny Isles Beach must obtain a Certificate of Use from the City’s Code Compliance Department. A Certificate of Use is essentially a zoning permit, issued after an inspection, verifying that the business use is permitted in that zoning district. After obtaining a Certificate of Use, the City requires businesses to obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt. For more information, visit the Local Business Tax Receipt webpage.

Certificate of Use for Each Use Classification

Per City Ordinance(s) 2000-102 and 2001-145, “No structure used for the purpose of exercising the privilege of doing business within the city limits shall be used or occupied or any existing use enlarged, or a new use be made of said structure, without first obtaining that required Certificate of Use for each use classification.

Example: A hotel with rooms for rent, a restaurant, and a bar, are required to apply for three Certificates of Use.

First Time Applicants

First-time applicants must fill out the application and submit it in-person at the Sunny Isles Beach Government Center, 3rd Floor, 18070 Collins Avenue. Please note that you must schedule an appointment to submit your application in-person at the Government Center.

Certificate of Use Application

After obtaining a Certificate of Use, the City requires businesses to obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt.

Local Business Tax Receipt Application

Online Renewals

NOTICE: Starting August 1, 2021, we will no longer accept Local Business Tax Receipt and Certificate of Use renewals in-person or by mail. Businesses must submit all necessary documents and payments through the online portal account. If you renewed online last year, this is the same process, and you may use the same login that was previously used.

Certificates of Use must be renewed each fiscal year, by September 30, and are valid until September 30 of the following year. A penalty fee is charged for late renewals, and fines and penalties are issued by the Code Enforcement Officer, to businesses that do not obtain the Certificate or Use and LBTR. If you apply on October 1, you will have 48 hours, upon approval of your application, to pay for your license before receiving a late payment penalty. A renewal is considered late starting on October 2.

Local Business Tax Receipts and Certificates of Use must be renewed online through your portal account. Please follow the steps below to initiate your renewal.

Step 1: Visit the online portal and click the “sign up” button to create an account, or login with your credentials.

Step 2: Once logged in, click GO under My Portal.

Step 3: Click VIEW under MY APPLICATIONS.

Step 4: Under Active Licenses, click RENEW on the license you would like to renew. If you don’t see your application, click “Don’t see my Application”. (Refer to the email on file or contact the Code Compliance division by email at businesslicensing@sibfl.net to request your portal access code.)

Step 5: Review all details and verify information is accurate and up to date. Click NEXT.

Modifications may require a new application. Applicants should contact the Code Compliance division by email at businesslicensing@sibfl.net for assistance.

Step 6: Upload ALL required documents for the Code Compliance division to review. You will not be able to pay for your license until all your paperwork is submitted and approved by the City.

Step 7: When your application is approved you will receive an email notification from the City. The GREEN BUTTON on your license application will be activated and payment will now be available through the portal by credit card.

Once the license is paid, we will schedule an inspection and a Code Compliance officer will deliver your license in person.

Other Government Agency Inspections/Approvals

Prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Use, certain businesses may be required to obtain inspections or approvals from governmental agencies, including the following:

The City requires a current Certificate of Use before issuing a Local Business Tax.

Contact Information

For more information regarding Certificates of Use and Local Business Tax Receipts, call the Code Compliance Department at 305.792.1875.