Opening a dental or medical franchise in South Florida
Dental and medical offices need plumbing, power and layout that an ordinary shop space often lacks. Confirm the use is allowed before you spend on plans.
What a dental and medical concept needs from a space
- Zoning and permitted use: confirm that a medical or dental office is allowed at the address.
- Treatment-room plumbing and electrical capacity, and where walls, sinks and equipment can go.
- Accessibility: entrances, restrooms and parking that suit patients with limited mobility.
- Parking for patient visits and staff, and how close it is to the entrance.
- Hours and neighbors: confirm the lease allows your hours and that nearby uses are compatible.
- Signage and visibility, and whether an upper-floor space has an elevator.
A planning checklist, not a rule. Your brand's FDD and site criteria come first.
Questions to ask the landlord or listing agent
- Is there a tenant improvement allowance for plumbing and electrical work?
- Does any earlier medical buildout stay, and who owns it?
- Does the center have exclusives that affect a medical use?
- Because a buildout is a large cost, what lease length and renewal options are offered?
What retail space costs in South Florida now
| County | Retail vacancy | Average asking rent |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | 3.1% | $44.34/SF/yr |
| Broward | 4.3% | $27.65/SF/yr |
| Palm Beach | 4.0% | $31.78/SF/yr |
Source: Colliers Q3 2026 county retail reports (Oct 2026). These are county averages across every kind of retail space, so treat them as a benchmark, not the rent for one storefront. More in the Opening Index.
Permits and code
For a nonresidential building under 25,000 SF, the local government must approve or deny within 60 business days of a complete and sufficient application. If it misses the deadline, the permit fee is reduced 10% for each business day late. The 9th Edition (2026) Florida Building Code takes effect on Dec 31, 2026, so ask your building department which edition applies to your application.
Sources: Fla. Stat. §553.792; 2026 Florida Building Code, 9th Edition (ICC); Florida Building Commission. Check your permit clock and code edition →
Where to start on ClearBuild
- Start your Zone ReportName your brand and see where it fits, step by step.
- Browse listingsVerified spaces and spaces posted by realtors, with the brands that fit each.
- Fund your buildSBA lenders matched to your project, with sources.
- Compare contractorsLicense, insurance, build time and references side by side.
New to the terms? See the glossary and the FAQ. ClearBuild gives planning information, not legal advice or a signed bid.