Opening a med spa or wellness franchise in South Florida
Med spa and wellness concepts need treatment rooms, plumbing and privacy that a standard retail space may not offer. Confirm the services you plan are allowed at the address first.
What a med spa and wellness concept needs from a space
- Zoning and approvals for the services you will offer. Confirm with the building and zoning department, and check any state or local rules for those services.
- Treatment rooms: sinks, floor drains and hot water where the layout needs them.
- Privacy: the entrance, window treatments and sound between rooms.
- Ventilation for the treatments and products you will use.
- Parking and accessibility for clients, including a clear path from the lot to the door.
- Signage and visibility, and a lease that allows your hours.
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 the lease allow the services you plan, and does the center have exclusives that affect them?
- What condition will the space be delivered in, and what stays from an earlier tenant?
- What lease length and renewal options are offered, given the size of the buildout?
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.