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

City Code Article VII, the Floodplain Management Ordinance, covers all development in a flood hazard area, including subdivisions, fill, grading, utility work, manufactured homes, tanks, recreational vehicles and swimming pool installation (§ 18-280(b)). Under § 18-283(a), any owner or authorized agent who intends to undertake development within a flood hazard area must first apply to the floodplain administrator/building official and obtain the required permit before starting; the building official is designated floodplain administrator under § 18-282(a). Applications must identify and describe the development, the parcel, its intended use, and be accompanied by site plans showing flood hazard boundaries and base flood elevations (§ 18-284(a)).

The city bases flood hazard area boundaries on the Flood Insurance Study for Palm Beach County and Incorporated Areas dated December 20, 2024, and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps, both kept on file at Development Services, 401 Clematis Street (§ 18-281(c)). A floodplain development permit becomes invalid if work does not start within 180 days of issuance or is suspended for 180 days; extensions of up to 180 days each require a written request showing justifiable cause (§ 18-283(f)). For remodels, the administrator must estimate the pre-work market value and compare it to the cost of the proposed work to decide if a project counts as a "substantial improvement" triggering full flood-resistant construction compliance (§ 18-282(d)).

Variance requests from these standards go to the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals, which cannot grant a variance in a floodway that would raise base flood elevations, and any variance granted must be recorded in the chain of title with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Palm Beach County (§ 18-286(a), (c), (g)(3)).