West Palm Beach, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

West Palm Beach regulates flood elevation through the Floodplain Management article of its building code, City Code §§ 18-280 through 18-296, most recently amended by Ordinance No. 5116-24 on November 24, 2024. That ordinance repealed the former § 18-33, which had set a flat citywide freeboard of base flood elevation plus two feet six inches for one- and two-family residences. In its place, § 18-290 requires buildings and structures exempt from the Florida Building Code to be designed and constructed to the flood load and flood-resistant construction requirements of ASCE 24, the American Society of Civil Engineers' standard referenced by the Florida Building Code, which sets minimum elevations by flood zone and risk category rather than one flat citywide number.

3, but never less than two feet above the base flood elevation, and § 18-293(g) applies that same two-foot floor to the utility equipment serving the home. The city establishes which parcels sit in a flood hazard area using the Flood Insurance Study for Palm Beach County and Incorporated Areas dated December 20, 2024, and its accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps, adopted by reference in § 18-281(c). The building official serves as floodplain administrator under § 18-282(a) and reviews applications, issues floodplain development permits, and can require additional elevation data before approving construction in a mapped flood hazard area.