Building, zoning, environmental, and right-of-way permitting across Palm Beach County. Jurisdiction matters, the same project can need a different permit path in different cities.
Get a free answer for your location and project, rather than relying only on this general guide.
Need everything organized? For eligible projects, the optional $19 Project Kit brings your filing steps, official documents, fees and progress checklist together. Government fees are separate.
The County Building Division serves unincorporated Palm Beach County. An incorporated property follows its municipal building department or the municipality's published delegated process. Establish the property's jurisdiction before choosing an application, and confirm any additional zoning or project reviews with the responsible office.
Official guidance: Palm Beach County Permit Center
Search official Florida DEP environmental resource or coastal applications by exact application number or published site address. Other local and water-management district permits may not appear here.
For permit documents, full records, current decisions and agency jurisdiction, check the official DEP permit search instructions.
An accessory dwelling, guesthouse or second unit requires a parcel specific review of allowed uses, district and supplemental standards, prior approvals, density and building requirements. For unincorporated property start with ULDC Articles 3, 4 and 5 and obtain zoning confirmation or preapplication review. Check the intended occupancy or rental use, parking, utilities and septic capacity. Municipal rules are separate. The presence of an existing outbuilding or a Property Appraiser use code is not permission to create a dwelling.
PBC ULDC applies in unincorporated County. Parcel zoning, use, dimensional requirements, prior approvals and overlays must be verified before feasibility is stated. Municipal zoning is separate.
A variance and a rezoning are distinct approvals. Explain the requested dimension or use to PBC Zoning for unincorporated property and identify the correct administrative variance, Type 2 variance, public hearing, DRO or other path before filing. The County publishes Type 1 Administrative Variance Instructions, Type 2 Variance Supplemental Instructions, Public Hearing Application Instructions and general forms. Use preapplication review to confirm eligibility, survey, ownership, plan, notification and fee requirements. Approval is discretionary under the applicable criteria and never guaranteed. Municipal property follows its city process.
Resolve exact parcel jurisdiction first. PBC Permit Center processes building construction permits in unincorporated County. Each incorporated municipality needs its own verified permit authority and destination; use the published local department or portal path.
Determine the local jurisdiction, parcel zoning, easements and proposed dimensions first. Ask the local Building Division which permit type or exemption applies to the specific fence or accessory structure, including flood and utility constraints. County supplemental standards and district rules are relevant only to unincorporated property. There is no countywide size or fence height shortcut for all municipalities. Do not place improvements in easements or rights of way based on a generic website answer.
Confirm whether the parcel is municipal or unincorporated, then verify zoning setbacks, lot coverage, height and existing approvals with the responsible zoning office before paying for final plans. County additions use the current building permit checklist, site survey, scope and construction plans required for the selected type. Check flood review, easements, septic capacity, utility and impact fee issues for the proposed increase. File the local permit, obtain plan approvals and complete required inspections. An appraisal record or postal address cannot establish buildable area.
A proposed pool needs local zoning and building review for the exact site, including location, setbacks, easements and pool equipment. The County publishes Residential Swimming Pool Safety Requirements as a specific supplemental form. Use it with the selected County permit checklist and plans for unincorporated property. Confirm approved safety barriers and inspections with the building official rather than assuming an existing fence qualifies. Municipal applications and public pool health licensing are separate.
For an unincorporated reroof, use the permit checklist and Building Division application with the form matching the roof system: 100 shingles or shakes, 200 concrete or clay tile, 300 metal, or 400 flat roof. Include the product approvals and supporting details required by the selected checklist. Confirm contractor qualifications, roof scope, design and inspections before filing. A city reroof uses that city’s forms and fee schedule. Do not invent a flat fee or assume a minor repair exemption. For unincorporated single-family, duplex and attached residential reroofs the County also has a conditional ePZB self-issued reroof process for permit class 4081. The portal itself decides eligibility from the project questionnaire; an application starting PR is routed for plan review and is NOT an issued permit, whereas B indicates issuance. Even for a B-number, government fees must be paid before any work; unpaid permits expire in 10 days. This path is NOT available automatically to municipalities, and the project-specific County charge and any additional conditions must be verified in the government portal.
County forms include the Expedited Solar PV Permit Application and PV Rooftop Installation form. Ask the unincorporated Building Division whether the proposed system qualifies for the expedited path; use the selected checklist, equipment details, electrical and mounting plans and product approvals required for the project. Structural suitability, local zoning and inspections are separate from utility interconnection. A municipal site uses its city permit path. Contact the electric utility for its interconnection approval before energizing.
Popular permit guides
Local permit authorities