Hurricane Preparedness in Palm Beach Gardens, FL (2026)
3 verified hurricane preparedness rules for Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Hurricane Shutters
Palm Beach Gardens Code Section 86-29 strictly prohibits using or closing hurricane shutters on any building except during a defined storm window: shutters may go up no more than five days before the National Hurricane Center's forecast landfall for a storm whose cone of probability touches any part of Palm Beach County, and must come down within five days after the storm passes. The city council found any other use or closure an imminent threat to public safety.
Palm Beach Gardens Hurricane Shutter Timing Rule
Significant RestrictionsPalm Beach Gardens Code § 86-29
The use or closure of hurricane shutters, of any type whatsoever, to cover building/structure openings shall be strictly prohibited, except as specifically set forth herein. In the event that any portion of Palm Beach County falls within the National Hurricane Center's five-day cone of probability for a named tropical storm event, hurricane shutters may be used to protect building/structure ope...
Roof Standards
Palm Beach Gardens sets its own hurricane wind-speed design requirement at Code Section 86-27(b), stricter than a single statewide figure. Category I buildings must be designed for 160 mph winds, Category II for 170 mph, and Category III and IV buildings for 180 mph, and these speeds govern roof and structural design under Chapter 16 of the Florida Building Code as locally amended.
Palm Beach Gardens Local Wind Speed Design Rule
Some RestrictionsPalm Beach Gardens Code § 86-27(b)
(b)Local amendments to chapter 16, structural design. As required by paragraph 1609.3 of the Florida Building Code, wind speed lines in the area of jurisdiction of the city are hereby established as set forth on the basic wind speed maps, set forth fully in Exhibit B to this section, and maintained on file with the office of the city clerk and the building department. Pursuant to Figures 1609A....
Storm Debris
After a hurricane or other declared emergency, the City of Palm Beach Gardens activates its comprehensive emergency management plan to collect debris under Code of Ordinances section 54-63. The city council found storm debris breeds vermin, raises fire risk, and blocks emergency access, so once the CEMP runs, debris on public roads must sit within the right-of-way and never block traffic, while debris on private roads goes to the pavement edge at the owner's expense.
Palm Beach Gardens Storm Debris Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsPalm Beach Gardens Code § 54-63
(a)Declaration of findings. The city council hereby finds that post-disaster debris is conducive to harboring and breeding vermin and disease and greatly increases the risk of fire and presents a real and tangible threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the public. ... (d)Collection procedures. When the city activates the CEMP and begins to perform post-disaster debris collection, in order...
Looking for Palm Beach County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palm Beach Gardens city rules.
Hurricane Preparedness in Palm Beach County →