West Palm Beach, Florida Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
West Palm Beach, Florida Zoning & Land Use Guide
West Palm Beach is the seat of Palm Beach County and had a 2020 Census population of 127,744. The city manages land use through Chapter 94 (Zoning and Land Development Regulations) of the City of West Palm Beach Code of Ordinances. The Zoning and Land Development Regulations are also presented in an accessible interactive format through the Encode Plus portal at online.encodeplus.com/regs/westpalmbeach-fl/.
The Planning Division is part of the Development Services department, which also includes the Building Division and Code Compliance.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in West Palm Beach and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the West Palm Beach Planning Division or the official municipal code before making development decisions.
Planning Division Contact
- Phone: (561) 822-1435 (Planning and Zoning Main Line)
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: City Hall, 2nd Floor, 401 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- Development Services Contact: wpb.org/Departments/Development-Services/Contact-Development-Services
- Building Division: City Hall, 1st Floor
Zoning Districts Overview
West Palm Beach's residential zoning districts are established in Article III of Chapter 94:
Single-Family Districts
- SF7 — Single-Family Low Density Residential (§94-72)
- SF14 — Single-Family High Density Residential (§94-74)
- Minimum lot area: 6,500 sq ft
- Minimum lot width: 60 ft (for uses with accessory apartment)
- Front setback: 25 ft
- Maximum lot coverage (lots ≥ 7,500 sq ft): 25%
- Maximum FAR (lots ≥ 7,500 sq ft): 0.40
Multifamily Districts
- MF14 — Multifamily Low Density Residential (§94-75)
- MF20 — Multifamily Medium Density Residential (§94-76)
- MF32 — Multifamily High Density Residential (§94-77)
Historic Residential Overlay Districts
West Palm Beach has an extensive system of Historic District Context (C) overlays that modify dimensional requirements in historic neighborhoods:
- SF7-C4 — Historic Single-Family Low Density, Context 4 (§94-80)
- SF14-C2 / MF14-C2 — Historic Single-Family / Multifamily, Context 2 (§94-81): Contextual front setback; rear setback 15 ft or 10% of lot depth (whichever is less)
- SF14-C3 — Historic Single-Family High Density, Context 3 (§94-82)
- SF14-C5 — Historic Single-Family High Density, Context 5 (§94-83)
- MF14-C1, MF20-C1, MF32-C1, NWD-R-C1 — Historic Multifamily, Context 1 (§94-84)
In historic districts, the front setback is typically a contextual front setback based on the existing neighborhood pattern (§94-79(b)). Where a contextual setback has not been established, the minimum is 25 ft.
Waterfront Properties: In SF7 and SF14 districts, one dock with a maximum of two mooring slips may be constructed. In MF14, MF20, and MF32 districts, one mooring slip per four dwelling units is permitted.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Florida Statutes §163.31771 (2020) requires West Palm Beach to permit ADUs in single-family zones. The SF14 district allows accessory apartments when the lot meets the minimum 60 ft width requirement. Contact the Planning Division at (561) 822-1435 or [email protected] for current ADU requirements, eligible zones, and approval process.
Note: A text amendment has been proposed to Chapter 94, Article III, Sections 94-72 and 94-74 to revise dimensional requirements for SF7 and SF14 in certain areas (east of Broadway Ave., west of N. Flagler Dr., north of 40th St., south of 45th St.). Verify current standards before proceeding.
Zoning Map
The West Palm Beach interactive Zoning Map Viewer provides access to zoning, future land use, and historic district designations: map.viewprogis.com — West Palm Beach Zoning
The City's GIS Portal with additional maps and applications: wpbgisportal.wpb.org
For PDF Zoning Map and Future Land Use Map copies, contact [email protected].
Development Process
Development in West Palm Beach generally requires:
- Zoning Verification — Use the Zoning Map Viewer or contact the Planning Division at (561) 822-1435
- Pre-Application Consultation — Recommended for significant projects or historic district applications; contact [email protected]
- Development Application — Submit to the Planning Division through Development Services
- Site Plan Review / Historic Preservation Review — Required for projects in historic districts and many others
- Building Permit — Apply through the Building Division at City Hall, 1st Floor
- Inspections — Schedule required inspections during construction
- Certificate of Occupancy — Obtain final approval before occupying the structure
Key Considerations
Before starting any development project in West Palm Beach:
- Check whether the property is in a Historic District Context overlay — these impose additional design requirements beyond the base zoning district
- Verify setback requirements for the specific district and context designation in Chapter 94
- In historic districts, the front setback is contextual and may differ from the standard 25 ft minimum
- Determine if the property is in a FEMA flood zone — Palm Beach County has significant coastal and inland flood risk
- Contact the Planning Division at [email protected] for property-specific guidance
Official Resources
- Planning Division: wpb.org/Planning-Division — (561) 822-1435
- Zoning Map Viewer: West Palm Beach Zoning Map
- GIS Portal: wpbgisportal.wpb.org
- Zoning & Land Development Regulations (Encode Plus): online.encodeplus.com/regs/westpalmbeach-fl/
- Municipal Code: library.municode.com/fl/west_palm_beach
Regulatory Layers That Apply in West Palm Beach
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Florida
- Building Code: Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023)
- State ADU Override: Yes (Florida Statutes §163.31771 (2020) requires municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family zoning districts.)
County — Palm Beach County
- Role: County provides property records, tax assessment, and governs unincorporated areas.
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- HOAs are common in Florida. Check CC&Rs for additional restrictions beyond city zoning.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- Varies — see Chapter 94, §94-72
- Max Height
- Varies — see municipal code
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Rear Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Min Lot
- 6,500 sq ft (minimum 60 ft width for accessory apartment)
- Max Height
- Varies — see municipal code
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft (or 10% of lot depth, whichever is less) — per §94-81 historic context
- Min Lot
- Varies — see Chapter 94, §94-75
- Max Height
- Varies — see municipal code
- Front Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Side Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Rear Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Min Lot
- Varies — see Chapter 94, §94-76
- Max Height
- Varies — see municipal code
- Front Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Side Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Rear Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
ADU Rules in West Palm Beach
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for West Palm Beach are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check West Palm Beach permit fees →