Palm Beach County, FL Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- PBC Building Division
- Required stages
- Foundation, framing, sheathing, roofing, final
- Concealment rule
- No covering until stage approved
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
- Timing authority
- Building official sets inspection sequence
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County requires a staged inspection sequence, foundation, framing, sheathing, roofing, and final, and bars concealing any stage of work until the building official signs off.
Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the building official. The building official, upon notification, shall make the requested inspections and shall either indicate the portion of the construction that is satisfactory as completed, or notify the permit holder or his or her agent wherein the same fails to comply with this code. Any portions that do not comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the building official.
Full Breakdown
Palm Beach County Code § 7-52 adopts and locally amends Florida Building Code Chapter 1, including its inspection framework for unincorporated Palm Beach County. Section 110.3 requires foundation, framing/shell, sheathing, exterior wall covering, and roofing inspections plus a final building inspection, with separate sequences for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, and swimming pool work. Section 110.6 bars proceeding past any inspected stage, and covering or concealing that work, until the building official approves it; failed items must be corrected and re-inspected before construction continues. This governs unincorporated county permits only. West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and the county's other 34 municipalities run their own building departments and inspection schedules.
Violations & Fines
Covering or concealing work before its required stage inspection is approved lets the building official order it uncovered or exposed at the owner's or contractor's expense, and non-complying portions must be corrected and re-inspected before the project can advance toward a certificate of occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palm Beach County require a final inspection before I can occupy a new building?
What happens if I cover up work before it's inspected?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida building safety overview
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