# South Florida Industrial Real Estate FAQ | Warehouses in Miami-Dade and Broward

# South Florida industrial real estate FAQ

**These are the questions people ask most before they lease, buy, or build warehouse space in Miami-Dade and Broward, answered in plain English.** For definitions, see the [glossary](/guides/glossary). For the numbers behind the market, see [market data](/market).

## Common questions

### How much warehouse space do I need?
Start from what you store and how high you can stack it, not from a square-foot guess. Count pallets (or racks, or vehicles), add room for aisles, staging, offices, and dock activity, then test the result against the clear height of real buildings. The [storage calculator](/tools/warehouse-space-calculator) does this math with your own numbers.

### How long does it take to lease a warehouse in South Florida?
Plan on a few months from first search to move-in for a typical lease, and longer if the space needs build-out, new permits, or hurricane-rated doors. The steps that most often add time are the local approvals, such as a certificate of use or a business tax receipt, and any construction. The [leasing guide](/guides/leasing-a-warehouse) walks through each step.

### What does "Class A" industrial mean?
It is shorthand for the newest, most functional buildings: taller clear heights, more dock doors, deeper truck courts, ESFR sprinklers, and modern power and lighting. Class B and C buildings are older and usually lower, with fewer docks. There is no official standard, so always check the actual specs rather than the label.

### What is a typical warehouse lease length?
Multi-year terms are the norm for warehouse space, often three to five years for smaller units and longer for large buildings or when the landlord pays for significant improvements. Shorter terms are possible but usually cost more per year.

### What is a triple net (NNN) lease?
In a NNN lease you pay base rent plus your share of the building's property taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance. It is the most common structure for South Florida industrial space. The [NNN and CAM guide](/guides/nnn-leases-and-cam) explains what to check.

### Is Broward cheaper than Miami-Dade?
It depends on the submarket and the building, not the county line. Both counties have tight, older infill areas near the ports and airports and newer, larger product farther west. Compare specific buildings on the same basis (rent plus NNN costs, clear height, docks, and location). See the [submarket guide](/market/submarkets) for what each area is known for.

### Why do hurricane codes matter for a warehouse?
Miami-Dade and Broward are in Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, so roofs, doors, and windows need products approved for that zone. Replacing a roof or adding dock doors can cost more here than in most of the country. The [HVHZ cost estimator](/tools/hvhz-cost-estimator) gives planning ranges.

### What is industrial outdoor storage (IOS)?
Land, usually paved or stabilized and fenced, used to park trucks, trailers, containers, or equipment, often with a small building. It is in demand near the ports and highways because land is scarce. Read more in [industrial outdoor storage](/insights/industrial-outdoor-storage).

### Should I lease or buy?
Buying can make sense for an owner-operator who plans to stay a long time and has the capital; leasing keeps cash free and makes it easier to move or grow. Run your own numbers with the [lease vs. buy calculator](/tools/lease-vs-buy-calculator).

### How often is the data on this site updated?
Market figures come from public sources (port, airport, and government employment data) and are updated when those sources publish new numbers. Each page shows its sources so you can check them yourself.