Palm Beach County, FL Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Reviewing body
- Historic Resources Review Board (HRRB)
- Registry
- PBC Register of Historic Places
- Approval authority
- Board of County Commissioners
- Max fine
- $500 per day violation
- Coverage
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County designates historic sites and districts through the Historic Resources Review Board, applying criteria that include cultural, architectural, and historic significance under the county's Unified Land Development Code.
c. is associated in a significant way with a major historic event whether cultural, economic, military, or political; or d. exemplifies the historic, political, cultural, or economic trends of the community in history; or e. is associated in a significant way with a past or continuing institution which has contributed to the life of PBC; f. portrays the environment in an era of history characterized by one or more distinctive architectural styles; or g. embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style, period, or method of construction; or h. is a historic or outstanding work of a prominent architect, designer, landscape architect, or builder; or i. contains elements of design, detail, material, or craftsmanship of outstanding quality or which represented, in its time, a significant innovation or adaptation to the South Florida environment.
Unified Land Development Code Supplement No. 24 (Printed 10/18)
Full Breakdown
The Historic Resources Review Board (HRRB) and County Archaeologist may nominate buildings, sites, or districts as historically significant; the Board of County Commissioners gives final approval and lists the property on the PBC Register of Historic Places. A property qualifies if it is tied to a major person or event, embodies a distinctive architectural style, or reflects the cultural, political, or economic trends of the community's history. Once designated, exterior work, relocation, or demolition requires an HRRB-issued Certificate of Appropriateness. This process applies only in unincorporated PBC; West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and other municipalities administer their own historic preservation programs.
Violations & Fines
Altering, demolishing, or relocating a designated site without a Certificate of Appropriateness is a code violation heard by the Code Enforcement Special Master, punishable by up to $500 per day and up to 60 days in county jail under F.S. § 125.69.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover property in West Palm Beach or Boca Raton?
Who can nominate a property as a historic site?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida historic preservation overview
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