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Business Licensing & Operations in Palm Beach County, FL (2026)

7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Adult Entertainment

Unincorporated Palm Beach County requires an Adult Entertainment license before any club, video store, or theater can open, and the Unified Land Development Code sets strict distance separations: 2,000 feet from another adult business, 1,000 feet from churches and schools, 500 feet from parks and residential districts, with no variances allowed.

Palm Beach County Adult Entertainment Spacing

Significant Restrictions

ULDC Art. 4.B.2.C.1.j

There shall be no Variance to the location standards contained herein. An Adult Entertainment use shall be located outside of the minimum distances indicated below including properties within a municipality or within the unincorporated area of PBC: a) Other Adult Entertainment 2,000 feet. b) A Place of Worship 1,000 feet. c) An Educational Institution 1,000 feet. d) A Public Park 500 feet. e) A...

Massage Establishments

Palm Beach County doesn't license massage establishments itself: Code § 17-149 defers entirely to the state Board of Massage under Chapter 480, Florida Statutes, and a studio still needs zoning approval as a Personal Services use.

Palm Beach County Massage Establishment License

Few Restrictions

Palm Beach County Code § 17-149

It is not the intent of the Board to legislate, limit or conflict with respect to matters of massage establishments which are regulated by state agency, the department of professional regulation, board of massage, and by State law, Chapter 480, Florida Statutes.

Tattoo & Body Modification

Temporary tattoo and body piercing establishments in Palm Beach County must pass a county Health Department plan review and pay a $200 fee before opening, per the Environmental Control Ordinance's fee schedule.

Palm Beach County Tattoo & Piercing Fee

Some Restrictions

Palm Beach County Code § 11-24(2)(g)

(2)Plan review fees. Plan reviews performed by the county health department shall require payment of the fees provided below:a.Child care facilities—New, remodeled, or change of ownership .....250.00b.Family day care facilities .....50.00c.Private or charter schools—New/Remodeled .....100.00d.Migrant labor camps and residential migrant housing .....100.00e.Mobile home and recreational vehicle p...

Secondhand Dealers

Palm Beach County requires a sheriff's-office permit before anyone buys, consigns, or pawns secondhand goods, with a $350 fee, mandatory transaction records, and a 15-day holding period on all items.

Palm Beach County Secondhand Dealer Permit

Significant Restrictions

Palm Beach County Code § 17-135(a)

It shall be unlawful for a person, corporation, or other business entity to engage in the business of purchasing, consigning or pawning secondhand goods within the unincorporated and incorporated areas of the county without first obtaining a permit thereof. All persons applying for a secondhand dealer's permit shall present proof of registration issued by the state Department of Revenue in acco...

Pawnbrokers

Palm Beach County requires anyone operating a pawnshop or buying/pawning secondhand goods to get a $350 sheriff's office permit, hold goods 15 days before resale, and submit transaction records within 24 hours: rules that apply countywide, in every city and the unincorporated area alike.

Palm Beach County Pawnbroker Permits

Significant Restrictions

Palm Beach County Code § 17-135

It shall be unlawful for a person, corporation, or other business entity to engage in the business of purchasing, consigning or pawning secondhand goods within the unincorporated and incorporated areas of the county without first obtaining a permit thereof. All persons applying for a secondhand dealer's permit shall present proof of registration issued by the state Department of Revenue in acco...

Auto Repair on Residential Property

Unincorporated Palm Beach County bars home-based businesses from performing paid repair services on-site, and caps work vehicles at one per lot (12,500 lbs GVWR) unless you're zoned AR/RSA, where two vehicles up to 16,000 lbs are allowed.

Palm Beach County Home Auto Repair Limits

Significant Restrictions

Palm Beach County Unified Land Development Code, Art. 4.B.1.E.11.h

A Home-based Business shall not involve the sale of any stock, trade, supplies, products, or services on the premises, except for instructional services or incidental retail sales. [Ord. 2024004] i. Instructional Services Instructional services shall meet the following additional regulations: 1) Home Instruction, Inside Teaching which takes place inside the dwelling unit of the instructor. Typi...

Towing Companies

Non-consent tow companies operating in unincorporated Palm Beach County must post reflective tow-away signs at every driveway, let a vehicle owner who arrives before hookup drive off for half the posted rate, and hold a county permit policed by the Consumer Affairs Division.

Palm Beach County Non-Consent Towing Rules

Some Restrictions

Palm Beach County Code § 19-195(a)(1)

A light reflective sign shall be prominently placed at each driveway access/entrance or curb cut allowing vehicular access to the real property, within ten (10) feet from the road...The sign shall clearly display in not less than two-inch high letters on a contrasting background, the words: "UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES/VESSELS WILL BE TOWED AWAY AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE." The words "TOW-AWAY ZONE" must...

Business Licensing & Operations by City in Palm Beach County

4 cities in Palm Beach County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

All Palm Beach County ordinances

See every category we cover for Palm Beach County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Palm Beach County Ordinance Hub →