Palm Beach Gardens, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

The floodplain administrator, who is the city engineer under Sec. 86-52, reviews applications against the flood hazard areas set by the Flood Insurance Study for Palm Beach County dated October 5, 2017, and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (Sec. 86-46). An application must identify and describe the development, give a legal description or street address, state the intended use, attach a site plan or construction documents, and state the valuation of the work (Sec. 86-65). Once issued, a permit becomes invalid unless work starts within 180 days, or if it is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after starting; extensions of up to 180 days each require a written request showing justifiable cause (Sec.

86-67). The administrator may suspend or revoke a permit issued in error, on incomplete information, or in violation of the ordinance (Sec. 86-68). Floodplain and building permits must also carry a condition that applicants obtain other required state and federal permits before starting work, including South Florida Water Management District permits under F.S. § 373.036, Florida Department of Environmental Protection permits for work seaward of the coastal construction control line under F.S. § 161.141, the Joint Coastal Permit under F.S. § 161.055, and federal Clean Water Act Section 404 permits coordinated with the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers (Sec. 86-69). Development requiring a permit is subject to inspection, including a lowest-floor elevation certification before further vertical construction on buildings exempt from the Florida Building Code (Secs. 86-75, 86-79). Variances go to the building board of adjustment and appeals, which may grant relief only on a showing of exceptional hardship tied to the physical characteristics of the land (Sec. 86-90).