Palm Beach County, FL Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Countywide cap
- 35 feet in every district
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Palm Beach County only
- Taller buildings need
- 1 extra ft setback per ft over
- Ag accessory structures
- Up to 100 feet allowed
- Governing section
- ULDC Art. 3.D.1.E
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County limits buildings and structures to 35 feet in every zoning district unless the ULDC states otherwise, with taller multifamily, office, commercial, and industrial buildings allowed only if they add extra setback for each foot above that cap.
The maximum height for buildings and structures in all districts shall be 35 feet, unless otherwise stated. [Ord. 2005-002] 1. Airport Zones Structures in Airport Zones are subject to the height restrictions in Art. 16.B, Airport Protection Zoning Regulations Governing Airport Hazards. [Ord. 2017-025] 2. Multifamily, Non-Residential Districts, and PDDs In the RM, RH, CLO, CHO, CG, IL, IG, and PDD districts, buildings may exceed 35 feet in height as follows: [Ord. 2024-014] a) Buildings over 35 feet in height shall be set back in accordance with Table 3.D.1.A, Property
Full Breakdown
The ULDC's Property Development Regulations set a flat 35-foot maximum height for buildings and structures in every standard zoning district in unincorporated Palm Beach County unless a specific section says otherwise (Art. 3.D.1.E). Buildings in the RM, RH, CLO, CHO, CG, IL, IG, and PDD districts can exceed 35 feet only by adding one extra foot of setback for every foot of height above that mark. Agricultural accessory structures in the AGR, AP, and AR districts can go up to 100 feet under the same additional-setback formula. Structures inside airport zones follow the separate limits in Art. 16.B, Airport Protection Zoning. Church spires, water towers, flagpoles, and similar listed features are exempt from the cap entirely.
Violations & Fines
Building over 35 feet without the required extra setback, or without a permit, is a code violation the Building Division and Code Enforcement can halt with a stop-work order and deny occupancy until it's corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 35-foot limit apply inside West Palm Beach or Boca Raton?
Can a building in the RM or CG district go higher than 35 feet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida building setbacks & zoning overview
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