West Palm Beach requires a Business Tax Receipt (BTR) for all home-based businesses under City Code Ch 70. Home occupations are regulated by the Zoning Code with restrictions on customer traffic, employees, signage, and external impacts. FL §559.955 (2021) preempts local home business bans for activities not visible from the street.
All home occupations require a Business Tax Receipt issued by the WPB Finance Department. Per FL §559.955 (Home-Based Business Act), cities cannot prohibit home businesses but may regulate parking, traffic, signage, and external impacts. Home occupations must be incidental to residential use, conducted entirely within the dwelling or accessory structure, and not occupy more than 25% of the home's floor area. No on-premises employees other than residents allowed. No retail sales on premises. No outdoor storage of business materials. Activities cannot generate noise, odor, vibration, or traffic exceeding normal residential levels. Palm Beach County Local Business Tax Receipt also required.
Operating without BTR: $250 fine plus back taxes and 25% penalty per WPB Code §70-37. Zoning violations: code enforcement up to $500/day.
See how other cities in Palm Beach County handle home occupation permits.
See how West Palm Beach's home occupation permits rules stack up against other locations.
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