Palm Beach County, FL Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer distance
- 500 feet from schools
- Protected use
- Elementary and secondary schools only
- Exception
- Type 2 Waiver, BCC approval
- Coverage
- Unincorporated Palm Beach County only
- Use category
- Retail Sales use type
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County keeps medical marijuana dispensing facilities at least 500 feet from any existing elementary or secondary school, with closer siting possible only through a Type 2 Waiver decided by the County Commission.
Medical marijuana dispensing facility shall not be located within 500 feet of an existing Elementary or Secondary School, unless approved as a Type 2 Waiver. [Ord. 2017-028]
34. Rooming and Boarding House a. Definition A Single Family dwelling with lodging for a maximum of up to five persons, where meals may or may not be regularly prepared and served, and facilities such as kitchen and bathrooms may be shared with other residents. b. Zoning District A Rooming and Boarding House shall only be allowed in the RM Zoning District with an HR FLU designation. c. Dwelling Modifications Only exterior alterations necessary to assure safety of the structure or enhance the compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. A Single Family dwelling may require structural or other modifications to ensure compliance with the applicable Building Code and Fire Rescue regulations.
35. Self-Service Storage a. Definition A facility consisting of individual, self-contained units that are leased for the storage of business, household, or other personal goods. 1) Types Permitted Self-Service Storage facilities may include but are not limited to Limited or Multi Access storage units, with or without Outdoor Storage areas, limited to the storage of personal or household
Unified Land Development Code Supplement No. 32 (Printed 10/25)
Full Breakdown
The ULDC's Retail Sales use regulations bar a medical marijuana dispensing facility from locating within 500 feet of an existing elementary or secondary school anywhere in unincorporated Palm Beach County. An applicant can only site closer with a Type 2 Waiver, decided by the Board of County Commissioners, which must find that the location promotes the health, safety, and welfare of the community: a standard that leaves the BCC broad discretion to deny. The rule reaches only unincorporated territory; West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and the county's other 34 municipalities each set their own dispensary siting rules.
Violations & Fines
Siting or operating a dispensing facility inside the 500-foot school buffer without an approved Type 2 Waiver is a zoning violation; the county can deny the certificate of use and refer the site to Code Enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 500-foot buffer apply in West Palm Beach or Boca Raton?
Can a dispensary open closer than 500 feet to a school?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida cannabis regulations overview
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