Palm Beach Gardens, FL Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Section 78-153(35) of the Palm Beach Gardens Code governs child and adult day care center site plans reviewed by the Growth Management Department. The facility must be licensed by and comply with the Palm Beach County Health Department under Chapter 59-1698, Special Acts, Laws of Florida, as amended by Chapter 77-620. The minimum lot area is 8,000 square feet. Where an outdoor recreation area is required, it must be at least 800 square feet, enclosed by a four-foot-high fence or wall, and in residential zoning districts that play area has to sit in the rear yard.

The city council, not a fixed citywide formula, sets the maximum number of children or adults a given center may serve as part of its approval, and the center cannot operate more than 18 hours a day. Any stationary play equipment, dumpsters, garbage cans, or recycling bins must be located at least 50 feet from an abutting residential property line, keeping activity away from neighboring homes. A separate standard, section 78-153(36), covers family day care run out of a residence: it must meet the same Palm Beach County Health Department licensing chapter, cap enrollment at five children, and stay within the same 18-hour daily limit as a full center.

Both tracks require Growth Management sign-off before a certificate of occupancy or business tax receipt issues, on top of whatever building and fire codes the facility also has to meet.