County building permit guide
Palm Beach County, Florida building permits — complete guide (2026)
Palm Beach County covers from West Palm Beach to Boca Raton. Unlike Miami-Dade and Broward, Palm Beach is NOT in the HVHZ - but coastal areas are still in the Wind-Borne Debris Region requiring impact-rated products. The county runs the ePZB online portal for unincorporated areas. 39 municipalities each have their own building departments.
Avg cost: $175-$1
000
Processing: 2-8 weeks
~45K permits/yr
Wind-Borne Debris Region
$175-$1,000Avg permit cost
2-8 weeksProcessing time
45,000Permits/year
Partial (SB 1586)ADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your Palm Beach County, Florida permit?
County serves unincorporated Palm Beach County. West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and 35 other municipalities each have their own departments.
Apply via Palm Beach ePZB Portal ↗
Palm Beach County, Florida Building Department
ePZB Portal Available
Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building (PZB)
(561) 233-5100
Mon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm ET
2300 N Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33411
ePZB Online Portal
Palm Beach coastal properties are in the Wind-Borne Debris Region - impact-rated windows, doors, or approved hurricane shutters required. Properties within 1 mile of the coast and in wind speed zones 130+ mph must comply. Not HVHZ, but still strict.
Permit fees — Palm Beach County, Florida, 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Construction | $600-$3,000 | 4-10 weeks | FBC; impact openings required in coastal wind-borne debris zone |
| Roofing | $150-$600 | 3-7 days | Most common permit; wind mitigation inspection after completion |
| Windows / Doors | $100-$450 | 3-7 days | Impact-rated required in wind-borne debris region (most of county) |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $125-$350 | 3-7 days | Separate mechanical permit; licensed contractor required |
| Electrical | $100-$325 | 3-7 days | Separate electrical permit; panel upgrades, EV chargers common |
| Plumbing | $100-$300 | 3-7 days | Separate plumbing permit; septic common in western county |
| Pool / Spa | $300-$1,100 | 3-8 weeks | Barrier fence required; electrical + plumbing sub-permits |
| Room Addition | $400-$1,800 | 3-8 weeks | Impact openings; structural plans required |
| ADU | $300-$900 | 3-7 weeks | SB 1586 applies; check your municipality first |
| Solar | $100-$400 | 1-2 weeks | FBC wind uplift; FL Product Approval for mounting system |
| Fence | $75-$200 | 3-5 days | Height and setback rules vary by municipality |
| Demolition | $150-$600 | 1-2 weeks | Asbestos survey required pre-1978; utility disconnect required |
How to get a permit in Palm Beach County, Florida
1
Find your city or county jurisdiction
Palm Beach has 39 municipalities. Most residents apply to their city building department, not the county. Use the PBC GIS portal to confirm.
2
Check wind-borne debris zone
Most of Palm Beach County is in the Wind-Borne Debris Region. Impact-rated windows, doors, and garage doors - or approved shutters - are required. Check the FL wind speed map for your exact zone.
3
Apply via ePZB for county jurisdiction
For unincorporated Palm Beach County, apply at pbcgov.com/epzb. The portal handles building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit applications online.
4
Coordinate trade permits
Like all Florida counties, Palm Beach requires separate permits for each trade. Schedule all contractors before starting so inspections can be coordinated efficiently.
5
Septic and well permits
Western Palm Beach County has significant septic systems. Septic permits go through the Palm Beach County Health Department separately from building permits.
6
Wind mitigation after roofing
Always schedule a wind mitigation inspection after new roof installation. In Palm Beach's expensive insurance market, savings of $800-$2,500/year are common.
Jurisdictions within Palm Beach County, Florida
Special zone requirements
Wind-Borne Debris Region
Most of county (coastal areas + 1 mile inland)
Impact-rated openings or shutters required. Not as strict as HVHZ but still requires FL Product Approval.
FEMA Flood Zones
Coastal areas, Intracoastal, western wetlands
Elevation certificates required in AE zones. Septic systems in eastern county affected by rising water table.
CCCL
Atlantic coastline
Coastal Construction Control Line permits required for shoreline-adjacent construction. FDEP jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions — Palm Beach County, Florida
Is Palm Beach County in the HVHZ?
No. Palm Beach County is NOT in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). Only Miami-Dade and Broward counties are in the HVHZ. However, coastal Palm Beach properties are in the Wind-Borne Debris Region, which still requires impact-rated windows and doors or approved hurricane shutters. FL Product Approval (not the stricter Miami-Dade NOA) is required.
Which portal does Palm Beach County use?
Unincorporated Palm Beach County uses the ePZB portal at pbcgov.com/epzb. However, most Palm Beach County residents live in incorporated cities (West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, etc.) and must apply to their city building department instead.
Does Palm Beach require separate permits for each trade?
Yes. Like all Florida jurisdictions, Palm Beach typically requires separate permits for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC). Budget for multiple permit fees and coordinate all contractors before starting work.
Are there special rules for Boca Raton or Palm Beach Island?
Boca Raton has its own building department and stricter design requirements for visibility from public streets. The Town of Palm Beach (the island) is extremely restrictive - Architectural Commission approval required for most exterior changes, and permits are tightly controlled to preserve the town's character.
Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building 2024 · US Census Bureau BPS