Business Licensing & Operations in West Palm Beach, FL (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for West Palm Beach, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
West Palm Beach's zoning code keeps adult entertainment establishments at least 750 feet from any residentially zoned land, from another adult entertainment establishment, and from any preexisting church, school, park, playground, pool, golf course or athletic field under city control.
West Palm Beach Adult Business Spacing Rule
Significant RestrictionsWest Palm Beach City Code § 94-273(d)(1)(b)(2)
Locational requirements: Adult entertainment establishments as defined in this section shall not be located within 750 feet of any area in the city which is zoned for residential uses. It shall be unlawful to locate any adult entertainment establishment, as defined in this section, within 750 feet of any adult entertainment establishment, unless such existing location is within the same buildin...
Massage Establishments
West Palm Beach requires massage businesses to hold both a business tax receipt and a certificate of use before opening. City Code § 22-31 places NAICS 812193 (Masseur/Masseuse) on the short list of service categories covered by the certificate-of-use article, and § 22-32(a) makes it unlawful to conduct that business without first obtaining the certificate from the city.
West Palm Beach Massage Establishment License
Some RestrictionsWest Palm Beach Code of Ordinances §§ 22-31, 22-32(a)
Sector 81 Other Services, only categories 811111, 811192, 811192, 811211, 812420, 811430, 811490, 812111, 812112, 812113, 812191, 812193, 812194, 812199, 812210, 812220, 812310, 812311, 812990, 812991, 812993, 812995 and all of section 8130 Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional & Similar Organizations except for categories, 888888, 899998 and 899999. ... It shall be unlawful for any perso...
Tobacco Retail License
Any tobacco shop, vape store or tobacco-products retailer operating in West Palm Beach must hold a city local business tax receipt before opening, issued by the business tax official under City Code § 82-144. The classified annual rate for a Tobacco Store (NAICS 453991) is $57.88 under § 82-163.
West Palm Beach Tobacco Shop Business Tax Receipt
Some RestrictionsWest Palm Beach Code of Ordinances §§ 82-144, 82-163
Sec. 82-163. - Business tax classifications and rate schedule. The following business tax classifications and rates are hereby established: ... 453991 Tobacco Stores .....57.88 ... Sec. 82-144. - Business tax receipt required. It shall be unlawful for any person, either directly or indirectly, to conduct any business, profession or occupation ... for which a business tax receipt, license or pe...
Secondhand Dealers
West Palm Beach requires every secondhand goods dealer, consignment shop, or precious-metals buyer to hold a local business tax receipt and a certificate of use before buying, trading, or selling used merchandise. Dealers must fingerprint sellers, report every transaction to police within 24 hours, and hold acquired goods untouched for 15 days before resale.
West Palm Beach Secondhand Goods Dealer License
Significant RestrictionsWest Palm Beach Code of Ordinances §§ 22-406, 22-413, 22-414
No person shall engage in the business of secondhand goods dealer without first obtaining a local business tax receipt from the city as set forth in chapter 82, article V of this Code. ... Unless other arrangements have been agreed upon by the secondhand goods dealer and the city police department, the secondhand goods dealer shall, within 24 hours after the acquisition of any secondhand goods,...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
West Palm Beach lets residents keep RVs, boats and oversized trucks at home, but Sec. 94-487 of the zoning code bars major repair work on those vehicles while they sit on residential property. Routine upkeep is fine; engine, transmission or body work is not.
West Palm Beach Limits Vehicle Repairs at Home
Some RestrictionsWest Palm Beach Code of Ordinances, Ch. 94, Sec. 94-487(b)(3)
3. Restricted vehicles parked or stored in a residential district permitted hereby shall be: a. Owned by the occupant of the residential property; b. Unoccupied while parked or stored on the residential property; c. Maintained in a neat and operable condition, provided that major repairs including but not limited to r...
Towing Companies
West Palm Beach only allows non-consent tows through its own contracted wrecker operator system. Code § 86-9(a) creates a rotation of authorized wreckers selected by competitive procurement to remove wrecked, disabled or abandoned vehicles when the owner is unavailable or doesn't consent, and the city adds a 25 percent administrative fee on top of the county's maximum towing rate under § 86-9(d).
West Palm Beach Wrecker Operator System
Significant RestrictionsWest Palm Beach Code of Ordinances § 86-9(a), (d)
There is hereby created within the corporate limits of the City of West Palm Beach, Florida, a wrecker operator system whereby authorized wrecker operators, pursuant to contracts with the city, will be authorized to remove wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicles or vessels from accident scenes, streets, or highways within the city. Removal shall take place in the event the owner or operator is...
Looking for Palm Beach County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement West Palm Beach city rules.
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